A new programme for the West Midlands inspired by London 2012.
People Dancing, part of the West Midlands’ Culture Programme for London 2012, is an exciting new dance programme that uses the inspiration of the London 2012 Games to get people dancing across the West Midlands. The first eight commissioned projects are announced today, 1 September 2009.
Funded by the Legacy Trust UK, Arts Council England West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands, People Dancing is a three year programme of activity aimed at encouraging mass participation in dance and dance related activity across the West Midlands. Over 3 years £2.61m will be invested in dance related activity in the region as a direct result of London 2012.
People Dancing is aimed at people of all ages, backgrounds, skills and abilities. From professional dance organisations to local dance schools to sports groups combining sport and dance, People Dancing will build on the rich and diverse dance infrastructure that already exists in the West Midlands.
The first eight exciting commissions offer a fantastic mix of dance activity both in terms of health and physical activity and dance as an artform. Projects include:
Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company – Transformations: A 3 year training programme which will support a group of emerging dance artists to create a new generation of leaders for disability and integrated dance. Shropshire based but region wide.
Birmingham Opera Company – Othello: 200 young people from all backgrounds and areas of Birmingham are invited to work with singers, artists and dances to create a unique site specific performances of Othello accompanied by Birmingham Opera Company Orchestra.
Birmingham Royal Ballet – Birmingham, Ballet & Me: Over an 18 month period young people will create, rehearse and perform a new, full length ballet, inspired by and running in parallel to a new major Birmingham Royal Ballet production.
Birmingham Town Hall & Symphony Hall – Bollywood Steps: A large scale site specific performance of Nutkhut’s Bollywood Steps, a unique British Bollywood outdoor dance spectacle with performances on 9 and 10 October 09 in Victoria Square as the centrepiece of Town Hall’s 175th anniversary celebrations. Created and directed by Simmy Gupta, Artistic Director of Nutkhut, Bollywood Steps invites members of the public to participate at the performances. Inspired by London 2012 and recognised as part of the official London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Rosetta Life – Moving into Being: A 3 year, region-wide programme to equip dance leaders working in end of life care settings through training and workshops to deliver dance activity in hospices and care homes for patients, their families and carers.
StreetGames – StreetCheer: A 3 year project aimed at getting 14 – 16 year old girls across the region cheerleading. The project will roll out training to equip a new generation of StreetCheer coaches and involve girls to participate at cheerleading clubs on a weekly basis.
Stoke on Trent City Council – World of Dance: A dance participation project for all ages and abilities. Over three years in Stoke, members of the public will be encouraged to try out a range of dance art forms from Bhangra to Tea Dance from Hip Hop to Belly Dancing from Baby Loves Disco to Salsa.
Warwick Arts Centre – Boys Dance: An exciting 3 year programme, encouraging hundreds of boys and young men to experience the challenge, exhilaration, discipline and fun of making and sharing dance. The programme will create a region-wide West Midlands Boys Dance Alliance to initiate, develop and celebrate dance for boys and young men.
Paul Kaynes, West Midlands Creative Programmer said, “We want to make the West Midlands the region for dance in the run up to London 2012. We're using the power and inspiration of the Games to engage with all sorts of people from right across the region - young and old, rural and urban - to get together and try out dancing for themselves. Not only will this mean that people feel healthier, they'll also hopefully have a lot of fun.”
Moira Swinbank, Chief Executive for Legacy Trust UK said: “We are delighted to be funding People Dancing, which will actively encourage people to take part in a wide range of dance activities for fitness and fun. We believe that this programme will inspire and encourage people throughout the West Midlands to get involved and will help leave a lasting legacy for the region from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
People Dancing runs over three years: 2009/10; 2010/11 and 2011/12 with two opportunities per year to submit proposals. The closing date for the next round of bids is 6 November 2009.
For further information visit www.wmfor2012.com/themes/culture or www.westmidlandsdance.com.