Leap Dance Festival 2024

Dancer Mason Chee, photography by Dockside Breakers

WELCOME TO 20 24

We’re back! It’s been five years since the last Leap Dance Festival took place and the world has been very different since then. Collectively we’ve been through a lot, a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, changes to the way in which we work, toilet roll shortages, we’d be lying if we said it hasn’t been a rough ride for most of us.

Recently, the arts have suffered a series of blows, organisations and venues across the country face tough decisions regarding their futures. Locally we have seen theatres and dance organisations close their doors for good. We’ve also seen the impact that the arts can have on reigniting civic pride and regeneration when Liverpool played host, and transformed, Eurovision last May.

2024 marks the start of a new chapter for Leap and what better time to do this than in a leap year. This year we are keeping it in the family, focusing on the wealth of talent that we have here in the heart of Liverpool City Region. Our programme features international artists that live here, but don’t always get to perform in their home city.

This festival promises something for all, with ticketed and free events taking place in venues and online. We launch with the grandeur and spectacle of Ooh La La Cabaret, bringing circus, cabaret, burlesque and dance together in an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Over the course of two weeks there are opportunities for young people to take part in workshops and perform in our two events dedicated to young people, the Youth Dance Showcase and the Schools Platform. Community groups take over World Museum

Liverpool, a huge day of outdoor performances will bring the city centre to life on bank holiday Monday and there’s a whole range of performances to look out for offering contemporary dance, physical theatre and break dance before we close the festival with Liverpool’s legendary House of Suarez.

On behalf of the Chaos Arts CIC directors I would like to thank the creative team behind this festival: Sinead Nunes, Maxine Salmon, Jamie Azzopardi our producers Jen Hale, Darren Suarez, Paul Curran, Dockside Breakers and Sara Black. Special thanks to Karen Gallagher for brokering a relationship with Culture Liverpool, Laura Orchard and Alicia Smith for their initial investment that set the wheels in motion for this festival to take place and their continuous and generous support along the way.

FUNDED BY

We’d like to thank all the artists that worked with us in the development of our crowdfunding film last August and everyone who backed the campaign, our funders, partners and sponsors listed below without whom none of this could take place. Lastly to all the friends and family, particularly my mum, who has had to put up with me over the last few months whilst planning this festival, thank you.

This festival was made by, with and for the people of Liverpool. We hope that you can support our local talent and we look forward to seeing you at one of the events. Enjoy the festival.

Paul Doyle Director

Adrian Watts

Aidan Maj

Alex Culvin

Alexis Butterworth

Alison Jones

Alistair Parkinson

Andrea McDevitt

Andrea Sellick

Andrew Winder

Anna Heath

Annexe Inc limited

Another One Podcast

Bailey Nickerson

Belén Mc Menamin

García

Bettina Carpi

Bhavna Mehta

Carmel Moss

Carol Johnson

Caroline Davies

Cat Foley

SHOUT OUT TO OUR CROWDFUNDERS

Francisco Carrasco

Gary Horner

Gemma Breed

Genni Grace Debney

Gergana Ganeva

Gethana Shashitharen

Gordon Webber

Grace Bell

Grace Gile Goulding

Grant Brecheisen

Ifigeneia Giakoumaki

Ithalia Forel

Hannah Ballard

Hannah Daniels

Hayley Rose

Hayley Thomas

Helen Gould

Holly Shwenn

Hosanna Starkey

Jade Aitchison

James Lau

Laura Currie

Laura Hall

Laura Orchard

Lauren Croxford

Lauren Roberts

Lauren Tucker

Leah Biddle

Leila Chebbi

Lesley Moore

Linda Green

Chris Kennedy

Christine Spriggs

Christopher Brannigan

Ciara Mccallion

Claire Matchwick

Claire Sadler

Colin Hagan

Craig Thompson

Daisy Scott

Daniel Morrissey

Daniel Sanders

Daniel Smyth

Darren Suarez

David Littler

David Salter

David Watson

Darren Suarez

Debbie Milner

Elise Donnelly

Eleanor Liverakos

Elizabeth Barton

Elliot Barton

Emma Hirons

Emma Lippitt

Eric Sánchez

Evie Scott

Fiona Hilton

Jamie Paul Azzopardi

Jane Davies

Janet McNulty

Jazamin Sinclair

Jean Smith

Jean-jacques Sillito

Jen Hale

Jennifer Rees

Jenny Claydon

Jo Cork

John Bird

Jon Smith

Jonpaul Mee

Joseph Winder

Josephine Gallagher

Josh Wharmby

Julia Doyle

Julie Lindsay

Karl C Newsam

Kate Doyle

Kate Halsall

Katya Goncarenko

Kaya Herstad

Kerry Nugent

Kirstie Rhianne

Kirsty Barker

Kit Oi Chung

Lindsey Brocklebank

Lisa Dowler

Lisi Perry

Louise Joseph

Lucid Arts

Lucy Gittins

Lucy Assassa

Luke Arrowsmith

Luke Jones

Luke Sookdeo

Lydia Hughes

Lyudy Hristov

Margaret Price

Paula Hampson

Pauline Brooks

Pei Tong

Peter Doyle

Phil Saunders

Rachel Baldwin

Rachel Rogers

Rebecca Quinn

Robert Marten

Robyn Claire Tetlow

Robyn Smith

Rosemary Berkon

Rowena Gander

Ruth Spitzlei

Ryan Mangan

S Willis

Sam B

Sam Kane

Sara Barnes

Sarah Ehlen

Sarah Lockwood

Sasha Mhagrh

Sean Mitchell

Marie-Anne McQuay

Mark Murphy

Mason Chee

Mary Pearson

Maureen Bird

Maxine Salmon

Melissa Collins

Mia Doyle

Mia Malone

Michaela Dunlea

Michelle Man

Mike Mercer

Nafisah Baba

Natasha Capp

Nelle Ní Bhornai

Nicola Davis

Niklas Knauthe

Noel Jones

Olivia Howell Orlando Tirelli

Padmini Athmanathan

Patricia Kent

Paul Curran

Paul Doyle

Paul Whelan

SPONSORS

Shannon McFadden

Sharon Dowell

Silvia Morelli

Simon Leong

Sinead Nunes

Sophie Jones

Sophie Owen

Sri Sarker

Stuart Crowther

Sue Dainty

Sue Lockey

Susan Rees

Suzanne Allen

Synnøve Vaksdal

Talisha Thomas-Lindsay

Tamar & Jo

Tanya Huskisson

Tracy Hayward

Veronica Maguire

Vicci Riley

Vicky Donnellan

Victoria Harrocks

Wendy Okoli

William Duong

Photography by Brian Roberts

SATURDAY 27 APRIL

DANCING AT THE MUSEUM

World Museum

Liverpool

12pm FREE

Family Friendly

FRIDAY 26 APRIL

OOH LA LA CABARET

The Black E

7pm doors

£25 / £22 concs

18+

Ooh La La Cabaret present a night of circus, cabaret and burlesque. Expect high camp entertainment and death defying stunts from world class performers. An evening of sequins, feathers and a whole lot of flesh.

Dance takes over World Museum Liverpool with pop up performances throughout the day.

Photography by David Edwards

MONDAY 29 APRIL

SCHOOLS DANCE PLATFORM

Archbishop Blanch School

7pm

£8 / £6 concs

Family Friendly

Schools and colleges from across Liverpool City Region showcase performances around a central theme. This year’s theme is ‘Around the World’ as part of our International Dance Day celebrations.

THURSDAY 2 MAY

LIVERPOOL DANCE PRIZE

The Capstone Theatre

7pm

£12 / £10 concs

16+

SATURDAY 4 MAY

YOUTH DANCE SHOWCASE

The Capstone Theatre

7pm

£10 / £8 concs

Family Friendly

Emerging dance artists from the North West showcase new works in a chance to win a £1000 development fund. Brought to you in partnership with Liverpool Hope University and Dance Consortia North West.

An evening of performances by and for youth dance companies from across Liverpool City Region. Performers will have the opportunity to be part of free workshops throughout the day, ahead of the public evening show.

Photography by Alan Smith

Liverpool Dance Prize - Bite Theatre, photography by Alex Monk

Photography by Alan Smith

SUNDAY 5 MAY

DOCKSIDE BREAKERS: BOSS BREAKING

The Black E 1pm £15

Family Friendly

Dockside Breakers take over The Black E in a celebration of hip hop and break dance culture. Break dance battles, live DJs and more.

Keep an eye on our social media about how you can be part of it and compete.

MONDAY 6 MAY

DANCING IN THE STREETS

LiverpoolONE

Church Street

12pm onwards FREE

Family Friendly

Enjoy outdoor performances and workshops from the region’s leading dance artists, expect to see larger than life characters across the City Centre. Sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool ONE.

TUESDAY 7 MAY

SOLE REBEL: CEILIDH

Arts Bar Liverpool

7.30pm

£10 / £8 concs

16+

WEDNESDAY 8 MAY

TRIPLE BILL:

ROWENA GANDER / TACITURN / TMC COLLECTIVE

Unity Theatre

7.30pm

£15 / £12 concs

16+

THURSDAY 9 MAY

HIGHER EDUCATION SHOWCASE

Capstone Theatre

7pm

FREE TICKETED

16+

Sole Rebel CIC bring their community Ceilidh event to Leap Dance Festival. Dust off your shoes and get ready to take part in an evening of dancing and live music.

A triple bill of new work commissioned by Culture Liverpool from female choreographers based in Liverpool. Rowena Gander presents Woman | Women, a new theatre work co created with Eli Randle (Tmesis); taciturn dance company present Before she falls, a new piece about falling in and out of love; plus three performers showcase new work as TMC Collective.

A selection of new work by emerging talent from the North West, selected from universities and training schools.

Photography by Brian Roberts courtesy of LIPA

FRIDAY 10 MAY HOUSE OF SUAREZ VS LEAP

The Black E

7pm doors

£25 / £22 concs 18+

Worlds collide, as performers from across the festival take to the runway in a range of categories, with iconic voguing from House of Suarez. Hosted by Rikki Beadle Blair.

Photography by Anna Levin

Archbishop Blanch High School

Earle Road

Liverpool L7 6HQ

Arts Bar Hope Street

22 Hope Street

Liverpool L1 9BY

The Black E

1 Great George Street

Liverpool L1 5EW

The Capstone Theatre

Shaw Street

Liverpool L6 1HP

Unity Theatre

Hope Place

Liverpool L1 9BG

World Museum Liverpool

William Brown Street

Liverpool L3 8EN

Liverpool One

Church Street

Proud sponsor

Express yourself with The City of Liverpool College at Leap Festival

We are proud sponsors of this years’ Leap Festival, that will showcase local dance artists and companies, young people and community groups, as well as our own talented students.

From April 26 - May 10

Apply online today

liv-coll.ac.uk/eama

COMMISSIONS

WHO?

CAROLINE SMITH

WHAT?

Film

WHERE?

Online. For more info see the Leap Online section of this programme (p21).

WHEN?

Throughout Leap

WHO?

RAWD

WHAT?

Film

WHERE?

Online. For more info see the Leap Online section of this programme (p21).

WHEN?

Throughout Leap

WHO?

KARL NEWSAM

WHAT?

Dancing at the Museum. A captivating new piece delving into the DNA of Jazz Theatre, exploring its rich historical context and bringing it into the modern day.

WHERE?

World Museum Liverpool

WHEN?

Saturday 27 April

WHO?

CLEMENTINE ARTS

WHAT?

Dancing at the Museum. ‘Finding Refuge’ is a dance and spoken word piece produced by Clementine Arts in association with Mariana Pires, Amina Atiq and Olena Hrabchak that tells the story of people who have resettled in Liverpool City Region, after arriving as asylum seekers from Iran, Namibia, Syria and Ukraine.

WHERE?

World Museum Liverpool

WHEN?

Saturday 27 April

WHO?

ROSIE TERRY-TOOGOOD

WHAT?

Combining live sound and dance, Gotas Del Mar (Drops of the sea) explores our connection to water and the idea that we are all small drops of the same ocean. Two dancers in synchronised waves encourage optional audience participation with simple choreographic tasks and relaxing movements.

WHERE?

To be confirmed (see instagram @rosietaz)

WHEN?

To be confirmed (see instagram @rosietaz)

WHO? LISI PERRY

WHAT?

Dancing in the Streets. Seasoned in the City is a new dance project with four phases, the first being Spring. You may find the dancers meandering and mingling through a crowd, you may see them from a distance or be invited to come a little closer.

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

WHO?

HOUSE OF SUAREZ

WHAT?

Dancing in the Streets. Mother’s Montage is a new outdoor piece from House of Suarez showcasing the company’s signature style. Expect high energy and hard-hitting vogue moves!

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

WHO? MERSEYSWING

WHAT?

Y’dancin’? Coz we’re asking! Mersey Swing CIC specialise in sharing the joy and excitement of vintage swing dancing.

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

WHO?

STEPHANIE GREER

WHAT?

Seagull Lake is a comic take on the classic Swan Lake, drawing inspiration from the coastal birds that call Liverpool home.

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

WHO?

DOCKSIDE BREAKERS

WHAT?

A new outdoor work celebrating break dance and hip hop culture.

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

These projects are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority via Culture Liverpool.

WHO?

GRACE GOULDING

WHAT?

Banshee is an exploration and celebration of the Wild Woman; an ode to humanity amidst a world of political turmoil, global conflict and greed, set to live folk music and performed by four riotous souls.

WHERE?

Liverpool One / Church Street Liverpool

WHEN?

Monday 6 May

WHO?

TACITURN

WHAT?

Before she falls is a new work from Liverpool contemporary dance company taciturn exploring themes of falling in and out of love.

WHERE?

Unity Theatre

WHEN?

Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm

WHO?

TMC COLLECTIVE

WHAT?

A choreographic exploration of themes and topics that surround women, female empowerment, and the challenges that women face at different stages of life. Influenced by Afro dance, contemporary, jazz and hiphop styles.

WHERE?

Unity Theatre

WHEN?

Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm

WHO?

ROWENA GANDER

WHAT?

Woman | Women is a new theatre work from Rowena Gander co created with Eli Randle (Tmesis).

WHERE?

Unity Theatre

WHEN?

Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm

WHO? SOLE REBEL

WHAT?

In Time is an immersive, live music and dance performance for children and families. The audience and performers enter the world together each with their own hand created bird to start their journey through the seasons. A flock of origami birds swirl together in a beautiful tumbling mass as they start their migration. They flock, they swoop, they travel across time and space, a soundscape immerses them into a dance together.

WHERE?

Central Library

WHEN?

Friday 10th May, 1pm / 4.30pm

MAKE PERFORMANCE POSSIBLE

“ THE BEST PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOLS WORLD”

Sir Paul McCartney, Lead Patron

If you want a sustained career in the performing and creative arts, join us.

We are located in the thriving, cultural hub of the Georgian Quarter.

Our international student community of actors, dancers, designers, filmmakers, managers, musicians, musical theatre performers, sound engineers and technicians learn by working together - and with industry partners - on fully realised productions and projects.

lipa.ac.uk reception@lipa.ac.uk

ARTIST LED ACTIVITIES

This year we are delighted to include artist-led activities as part of the Leap Dance Festival programme. In addition to our ticketed shows, there is a selection of independent events happening during the festival, from dance makers labs to conversations and symposiums, all brought to you by artists based in Liverpool City Region.

MONDAY 29 APRIL

Join Bluecoat this April for an evening of live music and dance performances from Ka Baird, Rosie TerryToogood & Dialect and Ancient Plastix. Rosie Terry-Toogood and Dialect come together for a one off performance, exploring gesture and fragile technology. Rosie Terry-Toogood is a choreographer and dancer who’s collaborated with international artists Jérôme Bel and Léa Tirabasso.

Bluecoat

7pm doors & bar / 8pm music

£17.50

FRIDAY 3 MAY AT 24 HOPE STREET

DANCE MAKERS LAB: NATHANIEL PARCHMENT

Informed by Afro-Caribbean heritage and queer identity, Nathaniel enquires into electronic dance music cultures as mechanisms for ‘being with’ oneself, others, the world and ancestry.

This lab incorporates western somatic body-mind practices, infant developmental movement patterns, and ways of attending to ‘rhythms of relating’ from social dance forms of music and improvisation.

To book: bookwhen.com/mpearsonater

24 Hope Street

10am - 12pm £10

DANCE AND ACTIVISM: GENEVIEVE SAY

Want to resist the status quo? A workshop to develop ideas around activism. This practical session introduces dance artists to ways of working collectively and co-operatively to express acts of resistance. How can we use our creative power to advocate for ourselves, our industry, and the society we want to live in?

24 Hope Street

1pm - 4pm FREE

IN CONVERSATION:

Co-director of Independent Dance (ID) Nathaniel Parchment and Birmingham Dance Network co-founder and director (BDN) Genevieve Say share experiences as dancers and change makers within artist-led organisations.

24 Hope Street

5pm - 6.30pm FREE

Social evening with informal sharings from 24HS 7.30pm onwards FREE

SATURDAY 4 MAY

Join Sole Rebel in celebrating the legendary ‘father’ of tap dance, William Henry Lane (aka ‘Master Juba’). The inimitable and renowned African American dancer who received fame across both sides of the Atlantic!

This event marks the bicentennial of his birth and is curated by Hannah Ballard (Sole Rebel) and Lucy Thompson (PhD Student, University of Cambridge), this day event will explore Lane’s significant histories in the UK and his legacies in Liverpool today.

Featuring guest artists / speakers and includes; history talks - walking tour - interactive archive session - guest speakers - social - tap dance performance and open jam with live jazz music alongside Sole Rebel's Training and Performance Company.

Liverpool Central Library 1pm Arts Bar Hope St 5pm For tickets solerebel.co.uk

Nathaniel Parchment performing at Fest e Fest

Alumni Platform, Photography by Henri T

ONLINE

We are delighted to be showcasing three new dance films as part of the festival. This strand of the festival will allow those who can’t access live performances to enjoy dance content as part of Leap Dance Festival.

We have commissioned Lisi Perry to create a mass movement performance with youth and community groups from across Liverpool City Region showcasing a diverse range of talent, ages and communities.

Culture Liverpool have commissioned work by Caroline Smith featuring dance artist Rosie Terry-Toogood; and RAWD who will be working with Blue Room participants to create a new dance work.

You can watch the online content for free at leapfestival.co.uk or at our YouTube channel youtube.com/@LeapDanceFestival

LISI PERRY presents THE WAVE

As the Mersey tide ebbs and flows, we see what treasures are brought to our city shores. Like a pinball machine, the waves crash around St Johns Gardens igniting pockets of dance gems from around the city.

Featuring groups from Men! Dancing! and LIPA, to Cody Urban Dance and Hope University, we celebrate the joy of diversity in our dance community.

Bathed in a musical score by Tom Ashbrook and movement concept by Lisi Perry, this film will represent a collection of valuable treasures.

CAROLINE SMITH presents UNCOVERING

Inspired by movement classes at Fluid Space Liverpool, this dance short film by filmmaker Caroline Smith is an interpretation of physical and emotional journeys taken via the power of contemporary dance improvisation.

Lead by Studio Fluid and Fluid Space founder Rosie Terry-Toogood with a soundtrack by Dialect (Andrew PM Hunt), the piece depicts a ‘secret space’ - an insight into a world of body revival, the embrace of hidden-power and the uncovering of new movement pathways and sensations.

ImageCreditandProject: CarolineSmith/NeonSnake createdbyRosieTerry-Toogoodand VeslemøyRustadHolsete.

Supportedby: CultureLiverpool

RAWD presents PATRICK BANNON’S

MOVEMENT

MEGAPHONE

Movement Megaphone is an original dance film that explores turning up our voice through dance.

Where are we supposed to be quiet?

Where are we allowed to shout?

The film explores Patrick Bannon’s physical language and the environments and communities that give him a voice.

Patrick Bannon is an associate artist at RAWD. RAWD are dedicated to helping disabled people grow through life and art. They produce inclusive arts experiences and performances which all present and amplify the disabled perspective.

Supportedby: CultureLiverpoolandDaDaFest.

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in the heart of Liverpool.

This degree is designed to achieve excellence in dance. Focusing on performance and choreographic practices, you will learn to become an adaptable, reflexive, independent, and critical dance artist.

You will foster your creativity and discover your signature dance practice. You will undertake project-based learning, professional placements, and work towards large-scale performances.

Get ready for a career in dance! Scan the QR code to find out more.

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TOGETHER

We rely on the support and kind donations of individuals, private companies and funding bodies to deliver the work we do. Donate now and ensure this work is continued as we look forward to Leap 2025.