LDIF 10 Years In The Making excerpt

LDIF 1O YEARS IN THE MAKING Image credit: Germaine Acogny, Somewhere at the Beginning, 2018, photographer Stuart Hollis

LDIF20 LDIF20 celebrates the theme 10 Years, 10 Countries, 10 Voices: Black Classics. Reaching LDIF’s tenth year is a milestone, albeit one that may seem small in comparison to PHILADANCO!’s fiftieth anniversary, which they also celebrate this year. For historical accuracy, it felt it important to amend this section of the publication shortly before going to print. In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, Serendipity, like so many arts organisations around the world, has had to contend with the impact that this has made. The majority of the LDIF20 programme has been postponed, scheduled to take place in October 2020 as an LDIF20 Finale or to be included in next year’s festival, ensuring that the LDIF21 programme comes back as stronger and fuller than ever. In the meantime, a flourishing digital dance festival Alternative LDIF20 will be held in its place, online and free for all to enjoy.

The names listed as LDIF20 artists remain true to the original programme. In the challenging times before us, it is essential to give recognition to the artists who have been part of the journey and who have redressed hurdles with creativity and positivity. Artists such as Alice Sheppard, Artincidence, Kyle Abraham, Tabanka Dance Ensemble and Yinka Esi Graves, who have generously agreed to share unique video performances. Alongside these, Lee Payne, Gerrard Martin, Ivan Blackstock and Javier Torres will feature in the the Black Men in Dance: Masculinity in Motion online exhibition, challenging

the stereotypes around Black masculinity and giving voice to dancers and choreographers to tell their own stories and journeys. I am excited to see how barriers can continue to be broken down through technology, creativity and ingenuity.

I hope that LDIF will continue to change the dialogue around how dance from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora is perceived and presented by the mainstream. That our presence is recognised. That we are here. Looking back at how the festival has refined and defined its place in the international dance ecology is something which I could not have imagined when I founded Serendipity in 2010. LDIF has established connections and friendships with artists that span throughout the last ten years, and the connections that artists, participants, team members, audiences and volunteers have made for themselves continue to provide offshoots of creativity further reaching than the few weeks each year in April and May. It is a testament to everyone involved in LDIF that we are able to create this publication. Highlighting the beautiful work of innovative artists, behind the scenes insights and our most treasured memories. Let’s keep dancing for the next ten years, and beyond.

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Dance My Son Thomas Prestø

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Image credit: Tabanka Dance Ensemble, Photographer Rob Sloetry Covell

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Dance my son

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Image credit: Keisha Grant in Signatures: All Seeing at Embrace Arts, 2011

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Image credit: Aakash Odedra, in Signatures: Kathak Solo at Embrace Arts, 2012, photographer Chris Nash

Dance and reveal yourself

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