Champion of the Flatlands

Champion of the Flatlands Contact East 2016 Atlantic Canada’s Performing Arts Conference 22 to 25 September, 2016 Saint John, New Brunswick

www.balbirsinghdance.co.uk

Champion of the Flatlands Champion of the Flatlands is a highly original fusion of two very different worlds – BMX ‘flatlands’ cycling and dance. Yet in the hands of choreographer Balbir Singh, this unlikely synthesis suddenly makes sense.

Balbir Singh’s choreographic oeuvre is itself a fusion of styles – modern contemporary and Classical Indian Kathak. So the principle of bringing together seemingly unconnected material is a familiar one, and one of the many reasons he has become known in the UK for bringing to his work, all the “perception, skill and intellectual daring of a master choreographer” (Dancing Times).

In fact, Champion of the Flatlands is just the latest in a string of cross-discipline collaborations that have enabled Balbir to bring the Kathak tradition of storytelling to modern audiences in a way unimaginable to past generations of Kathak masters.

Balbir Singh is a choreographer with a desire above all to entertain, and Champion of the Flatlands meets that requirement in full: it is engaging, thrilling and emotionally satisfying in equal measure.

Audiences – many with little or no experience of either dance or the sport of BMX – find themselves drawn into the boy-meets-girl story of love and competition.

The inclusion of live music, composed and performed by long-time BSDC collaborator Jesse Bannister, is another signature BSDC device which enriches the experience. Classical Indian and western Jazz styles collide and blend in a heady mix that both heightens the emotional effect and acts as a clue to the diverse provenance of the work.

“Dedication and commitment are key to Balbir’s increasing success, plus the perception, skill and intellectual daring of a master choreographer” Dancing Times

Balbir Singh Dance Company (BSDC) is the pre-eminent dance company synthesising diverse dance styles and theatrical forms in the UK today.

Renowned for its ability to engage audiences who have little or no previous experience of the performing arts, BSDC has demonstrated over many years, through a stream of highly original cross-discipline collaborations, that dance, when combined with storytelling, live music and a desire to entertain and transport an audience, can create memorable experiences for all.

The company’s track record of reaching out to communities has encouraged major UK arts funders to continue supporting BSDC’s work at a high level, despite the economic challenges to public arts funding they currently face.

In towns and cities across the UK, BSDC has created works celebrating such diverse themes as Rugby League, science, swimming, cuisine and of course BMX cycling.

Each time, the company’s ability to enthuse local people to get involved has led to landmark performances, as choreographer Balbir Singh’s highly fertile imagination finds yet another way to weave dance into the everyday lived experience of his audiences.

The frequent involvement of community cast members not only expands the potential scale of the work, it also excites local communities who find their area has become part of a high quality artistic event that they themselves have helped shape.

Champion of the Flatlands

Creative team

Champion of the Flatlands

Balir Singh Dance Company touring in Canada

Concept, choreography and direction: Balbir Singh Composer: Jesse Bannister

Duration 60 minutes, no interval

Company 5 on the road: 3 dancers, 1 storyteller/mc, Production Manager, Artistic Director

Scale and spaces Indoors: suitable for mid to large scale theatres and arenas

As a three year funded Arts Council England organisation Balbir Singh Dance Company is looking to develop a strategic three year plan of performance work and audience development in Canada.

We are looking to tour Canada with performances of Champion of the Flatlands which is suitable for theatres, indoor or outdoor spaces and festivals. With our strong Community Engagement programme, we can deliver workshops, residencies and community cast integration.

These can feature live music, multicultural work and help to create a holistic theatre experience. Champion of the Flatlands is well complemented by other company rep to form a longer performance programme of two halves with the same cast.

Typical examples of packages on offer that can be adapted include: One day performance plus one day of workshops One week tour of 4 performances, 4 workshops and 4 Q& A sessions One peformance (or two with matinee) as part of a 5 day residency of Community Engagement

International performance experience The company was in India supporting presenting work in January in Delhi, Indore and Dewas Previous performances, workshops and masterclasses have taken place in: ACT Festival, Bilbao Tansmesse Festival, Germany Dance and Film Festival, Kosova Amsterdam Dance Festival Sweden, Lugano company residency FIST Festival, Serbia Dublin International Dance Festival Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Fees BSDC range of fees reflecting venue size and performance / performance & engagement package range from: $3400 one day performance plus one day of workshops to one week package approx $8,000 - $10,000 Fees are negotiable depending on one-off to multiple date tours (block booking) Dates available – all work is tour ready from early January 2017 until 2020.

A thrilling combination of theatre and urban culture, featuring a heady mix of dance, music and ‘flatland’ BMX. They say to master anything completely you have to practice for 10,000 hours. Years of holding, spinning, gliding, hopping and inevitably falling.

Champion of the Flatlands is the real-life tale of a champion cyclist. A passionate tale of dedication and perseverance; embracing failure, conquering nerves and overcoming self-doubt. Enter a world where difference is celebrated and trust is essential. Artists and athletes interchange, they follow their calling, and never stop moving.

A non-stop movement-based performance to inspire and amaze, particularly relevant for younger audiences.

Champion of the Flatlands is presented as part of a double bill, full length programme (total running time approximately two hours). It can be combined with a number of options from the company repertoire, such as Taming of the Kung Fu Dragon, Full Contact, Venetian Ballroom, Dhe Ki Ta or Painting the Indian Gods.

Outdoors: suitable for festivals, sports arenas, outdoor events and other extraordinary or unusual spaces and events

Technical Get-in on day of performance

Target audiences Suitable for all audiences, particularly for families and those interested in cycling

Audience development and engagement Workshops available for those interested in the collaborative opportunities between sport and art, post show talks with creative team and cast

Marketing support High quality video teasers, strong brand identity drawing from contemporary urban culture, high quality print and wide social media reach

Available for touring Currently available, please contact us to discuss dates

Balbir Singh

Jesse Bannister

Jean-Francois Boulianne

Balbir Singh was born in the Punjab and came with his parents to England as a child, growing up in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Moving to Leeds to study at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Balbir experienced for the first time the creative possibilities of a cosmopolitan centre.

Jesse Bannister is BSDC’s composer in residence and has been a key collaborator with Balbir Singh, working with the company over many years on projects including Champion of the Flatlands.

Jean-Francois Boulianne hails from Quebec. His bloodline is a mixture of native Canadian and French explorers. His family gave him a taste of traveling at a very young age. He learned to ride at an early age on a bike he won in a school contest. When 16 years old, he met some school friends who were practicing the ‘funky chicken’, a basic BMX trick. From then on the Flatland spirit took control of his soul and a new path in life was opened.

Trained and immersed entirely in the Western contemporary canon, it was only after leaving NSCD that Balbir encountered traditional Indian dance forms when he met and later became a disciple of Kathak guru Padmashri Pratap Pawar.

Balbir found he had a natural affinity for Kathak’s rhythmic structures. His childhood fascination with pattern, number and all things mathematical had stayed with him, and Balbir was attracted by the mathematical complexity, shapes and patterns of Kathak.

In the intense months and years of tuition that followed, under the guidance of ‘India’s Divine Dancer’, Balbir became an accomplished choreographer of cross cultural dance forms capable of synthesising diverse styles and narratives.

Balbir’s twin interests in contemporary dance and Kathak and his desire to find a common language underpinning both, has led him to exciting new artistic territory, collaborating with other artforms and exploring diverse subject matter, of which Champion of the Flatlands is the latest example.

Jesse is a unique musician in that he plays North Indian classical music on the saxophone to international audiences. He is also an accomplished jazz musician, often merging the two styles in his compositions for BSDC. Born in London to an Indian mother and English father, Jesse came to Leeds in 1992 where he gained a Graduate Diploma in Jazz (with Honours) at Leeds College of Music.

Jesse has worked with the Halle Orchestra, The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Indian artists and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty with Priti Paintal at the Purcell Rooms, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Kathak dance duo Sonia Sabri in Holland, Mercury Prize winner Talvin Singh and Grammy Award winner Sukhwinder Singh.

By 20 he had already ridden in some of the most famous events in North America, including Toronto, Vancouver, New-York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and more.

In 2008 JF left for a three year trip to China, where he performed over 3000 shows, gaining valuable experience in performing for huge crowds.

Following his contract in China, JF returned home to see his family – but was determined not to let his dream end. Since April of 2011 he has travelled to Europe, attending six contests in eight different countries to fly the Canadian Flatland flag at some of the biggest Flatland BMX events in Europe.

Rhiannon Davison Community and Engagement Oicer

Gail Ferrin Tour and Engagement Liaison

This role allows the company to develop and deliver education and participatory activity, including delivery to support wrap around projects for company repertoire and community cast integration in professional shows.

Rhiannon devises and implements the Education Strategy as part of the Learning and Participation Programme, and aspects of the Audience Development Plan.

Since September 2014 Gail has been working in Canada, particularly in Ontario as Dance Consultant for Ontario Dance oering expertise in the area of Community Engagement and Dance. Also currently Consultant with DAN Dance Across the North of England as part of an Arts Council England Strategic Touring funded project with Balbir Singh and Blaize Community Arts (Ellen Thorpe).

Trained at the University of Central Lancashire, with a BA Honours degree in Dance and Performance Teaching. Mentored in Classical Indian dance by Balbir, with training by Indian based dancer Asavari Pawar, with a recent trip to India to support global Kathak dance legend Padmashri Guru Pratap Pawar ("India's divine dancer") performing across the country.

A committed arts professional professional, keenly interested in creating links between dance and network venues in the UK and Canada.

As well as a passion for dance, Rhiannon is a keen athlete and swam for her county, and played Rugby League to a high club level.

Incorporating her passion for both the arts, and the technical requirements and demands of the sporting world, Rhiannon is able to deliver high quality, versatile and adaptable workshops and residencies in a range of styles to bring the best out of engaging with and giving confidence to communities.

Gail holds a degree in dance from Surrey University. She has worked in dance and performing arts for over 25 years as: a practitioner in rural areas, in education and community contexts, leading dance workshops, programmes and training in a range of settings, project management, tour booking and fundraising. Gail devised a Dance Development Programme of Youth Dance Companies across North Yorkshire, created the Festival of Many Cultures, worked in rural touring with Rural Arts, was a Board Member of the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF), RJC - Reggae Jazz Contemporary. In 2009 she commissioned the International Village of Culture for the NRTF sourcing companies from Estonia, Poland and Scandanavia. In 2011 Gail worked as Youth and Community Dance Director at Yorkshire Dance before going freelance in 2014.

Champion of the Flatlands

Community Engagement

Dance workshops for all to enjoy, regardless of age, previous experience, cultural background or physical ability

BSDC workshops are specifically designed to persuade people to fall in love with movement, bring individuals together in social situations, improve fine motor skills, influence general happiness, increase activity and encourage independence.

Workshops explore the origins of Kathak movement, focusing on storytelling and working rhythmically. Tutors are sensitive to varying needs and reaching a diverse set of outcomes.

Focussing on each individual’s needs, the movement will be tailored to the group; adapting to suit all bodies and requirements.

Sessions can be delivered in residential homes, community centres and youth centres, can be delivered in a seated capacity, and can be either a one-off or series of encounters.

A culturally enriching experience, creativity lies at the heart of all workshops that also contribute to improving participants’ skills, attainment and engagement.

Content is adaptable and versatile, usually focused on one or more of: • Kathak – technique, rhythm, musicality, expressive and storytelling dance through stories of Krishna, Rama and Sita, and depicting nature and animals • Contemporary – exploration of contemporary dance and how this can be synthesised with Classical Indian dance forms • Repertoire – linked to performance work, covering an extensive range of themes and collaborations with sport, science and other artforms • Collaborations – working with a musician, visual artist or storyteller, alongside our experienced dance artists • Creative work and tasks – participants have the opportunity to develop confidence in their choreography and creative skills, generating their own movement material and themes for work

“Sessions were broken up into sections to keep the students fully engaged and excited. The wide age range and mix of abilities, although quite a difficult job, was catered for well. [The Creative Learning Officer] was wonderful with the students – patient and enthusiastic.”

Miss Clapham, Macmillan Academy, four day residency

Collaboration, innovation – and sheer joy BSDC gained a national profile during the London 2012 Olympics for a daring and original narrative work which brought together dance, music, storytelling... and synchronised swimming.

Synchronised, which was performed in swimming pools to packed audiences throughout the Cultural Olympiad that ran in parallel with the London Olympics, gained critical acclaim.

The work’s narrative structure made it highly accessible to audiences unfamiliar with dance. In Synchronised, the story unfolds much in the same way as Busby Berkeley’s musical extravaganzas of the 1930s – with all the excitement and visual spectacle associated with that era.

Vintage BSDC, it was a feast for the senses, and a joy to experience. As Amy Carter, Head of Arts, Museums and Cultural Promotion at Sheffield City Council, put it: “To fuse dance, synchro, live music and a choir so smoothly and innovatively was a highly inspiring experience for the audience. You truly embodied the mission of the Cultural Olympiad – well done!”

Synchronised is just one of many surprising collaborations that the company has led. Recent years have seen BSDC working with Rugby players to tell the story of Rugby League, and with scientists at Sheffield University to celebrate the life and work of Sir Hans Krebs, one of its most illustrious alumni.

Balbir Singh Dance Company – the repertoire

Balbir Singh Dance Company – other work

Dhe Ki Ta

Full Contact

Learning to Dance

The Strategists

Bicycle Days

Venetian Ballroom

Synchronised

A Solo Duet

Taming of the Kung Fu Dragon

Painting the Indian Gods

Trespass #II

Hopscotch

For all enquiries: commissioning, collaboration, partnerships, joint funding applications, tour booking, community engagement etc, contact Gail Ferrin: alphie.bsdc@gmail.com Coming soon...

Twelve English Folk Songs About Love Synchronised 2: Water Symphony Swan (Peacock) Lake Kathak Folk

www.balbirsinghdance.co.uk

BSDC is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation