Focus on Innovation
Farooq Chaudhry on creative leadership Insight from Dance Consortium’s Joe Bates What’s next for ballet?
The One Dance UK Magazine Issue 13, Autumn 2022 Featuring a special HOTFOOT section
Wellbeing and Education
The art of being self-kind Lowering the costs of accessing dance Celebrating 10 years of NIDMS
Industry Insight
One Dance UK Awards 2022! Stopgap artists on their 20-year journey IABD on international sharing of dance
Welcome
Photos: A. Ayuso, Blue Skye Productions, Eve McConnachie & Omar Ingram
Andrew Hurst MBE Chief Executive, One Dance UK
Dear members and friends, This Autumn edition of One focuses on ‘Innovation’, and there was certainly no shortage of content. We have all seen first hand how our sector embraces the new, developing inspiring ways of thinking and connecting with partners and audiences. We recently celebrated the fantastic achievements of many innovative dance professionals at the One Dance UK Awards, held on 29 October at The Mount Without in Bristol. Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients and huge thanks to our event sponsors and supporters – turn to page 10 to read more. There are also other reasons to celebrate. The National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS), a truly innovative network supporting dancers’ health and wellbeing, celebrates its 10year anniversary with a special feature in this edition (page 50). HOTFOOT, One Dance UK’s magazine for dance of the African Diaspora (DAD), recently
celebrated 21 years of publication. This edition of One includes a special HOTFOOT feature with a range of articles from key DAD community voices sharing stories of innovation and inspiration (from page 37). On a more reflective note, as we head into a tough winter, particularly for those who most need support, One Dance UK continues advocating for you and working with partners to ensure all of our programmes have accessibility at their heart. Read more from Child Poverty Action Group’s Georgina Burt on page 34, and learn about further work with neurodiversity in dance from Prof. Almuth McDowell on page 46. Hopefully you find something to inform and motivate you in the following pages. From the entire team, we wish you a safe, happy holiday period and look forward to re-connecting in person either at our Annual General Meeting in December, or sometime soon in the New Year.
In This Issue
We would like to thank the expert contributors who have been involved in this issue of One
Farooq Chaudhry OBE Page 18
Catherine Cassidy Page 33
Denise Saunders Thompson Page 40
Farooq Chaudhry OBE is best known as the Co-founder and Executive Producer of the internationally acclaimed Akram Khan Company. He is recognised as a global cultural leader, having worked as creative producer with companies such as English National Ballet, PCDC (Yang Liping) and has impacted the global artistic community through his work as an educator, consultant, mentor and lecturer. In 2019 Farooq was awarded an OBE for his services to Dance and Dance Production. He is committed to ‘levelling the playing field’ for artists, audiences and cultures.
Catherine Cassidy has over 20 years’ professional experience of using dance in a wide range of community settings, from health to education and reformation, and has spent 10 years as Director of Engagement at Scottish Ballet. She has led the company to become specialists in dance health. Catherine worked both nationally and internationally as a choreographer, dance artist and producer, and is also Specialist Advisor for the Arts Council of England, Creative Scotland and Imaginate Children’s Festival.
Denise Saunders Thompson is President and Chief Executive Officer for The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) and D.d.Saunders & Associates, Inc., a comprehensive fine arts advisory firm. She has extensive experience in non-profit and for-profit, established and start-up organisations. In August of 2021, Denise returned to Howard University's Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts where she serves as the Assistant Dean for Administration. She also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Performing Arts Alliance, Friends of Theatre and Dance at Howard University. The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 3
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Contents Introduction 3 Welcome by Andrew Hurst MBE In the Spotlight 6 News 7 WIN £100 of Theatre Vouchers as part of One Dance UK’s 12 Days of Christmas celebrations! 10 One Dance UK Awards 14 One Dance UK Membership: Member Q&A with Ithalia Forel Special Focus on Innovation 17 Introduction by David Watson, 18 Reflections on Leadership by Farooq Chaudhry OBE 20 Something Old, Something New by Mirjam Otten 22 Diversity: The Key to the Survival of British Ballet by Dr Sandie Bourne 24 From the Streets to the People by Tamar Dixon 26 Inclusion and Rigour Are Not Binary by Stopgap Dance Company’s Lucy Bennett, Laura Jones and Chris Pavia 28 Commitment to Dance: Cameron Ball in conversation with Dance Consortium’s Joe Bates 30 Growing up in dance (GuiDANCE) by Erin Sanchez with Karen Sheriff, Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Tabitha Moorse and Angela Kirkham. 33 Safe to Be Me by Scottish Ballet’s Catherine Cassidy 34 Access to the Arts for All by Laura Nicholson and CPAG’s Georgina Burt 36 Breakin’ Stereotypes by The Blair Academy’s Charlie Blair 37 Tom’s Journey by Jessica Lowe with Tom Boho, Niki Boho and Frances Collier Special HOTFOOT Section 39 Innovators, Inventors and Producers: Introduction by Dr S. Ama Wray 40 Arts Innovation and Resilience by IABD’s Denise Saunders Thompson 42 The Voices of Hip Hop by Ian Abbott with Yami “Rowdy” Löfvenberg 44 The Art of Being Self Kind by Nicolette Wilson-Clarke FACCPH Features 46 Dance: A Safe Space for All: Jessica Lowe in conversation with Prof. Almuth McDowall 48 Young Innovators 49 Make Your Case by IVAR’s Emily Dyson-Hawkes 50 The National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science: 10 Years On 52 Resources for the Dance Sector 54 Book Reviews – La Nijinska: Choreographer of the Modern by Lynn Garafola, review by Avatâra Ayuso – Movement Direction by Kate Flatt, review by Katie Smith
Editorial and Advertising Lara Coffey Head of Marketing and Communications Cameron Ball Magazine Editor Katie Stevens Assistant Editor Advertising enquiries Contact Amelia Bickley amelia.bickley@onedanceuk.org Funders and Supporters With thanks to our funders
We thank our generous project partners, funder and supporters. For further information, go to: onedanceuk.org/support-us/ thank-you Design tm-studio.co.uk Cover Image and below Rory Clarke and Adhya Shastry from National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) England perform Alesandra Seutin’s Quartier Paradis at the U.Dance National Festival 2022, Birmingham. Photo Dani Bower for One Dance UK.
The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 5
News
News
Dance Transports Dance Transports is Yorkshire Dance’s long-running programme which brings high quality continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities to Yorkshire. Each year they present day-long Dance Transports sessions which are open to artists from across Yorkshire, and this October One Dance UK collaborated to present the inaugural Dance Transports – Dance of the African Diaspora, for those who identify with, or wanted to explore, dance styles of the African Diaspora. Following a callout, 10 artists joined cultural producer, strategist, and dance artist Sara Dos Santos for a fullday workshop at Yorkshire Dance. Sara curated and facilitated a session exploring the theme of identity and belonging within notions of Dance of the African Diaspora, utilising movement, conversation and themed provocations to inform the session.
Artists received a financial contribution to attend and participant feedback showed that those present found new inspiration and resources which they will take back to their communities and practices. One participant commented “I felt seen, understood and valued, and that is something no amount of money or training can buy!” Session leader Sara Dos Santos said “Dance Transports offered an opportunity to connect with a group of people who are on a journey of discovery. It was an absolute pleasure to not only share my practice which interlaces policy, creative exploration and movement, but also get a chance to lead a session that empowered generations of practitioners to continue pushing boundaries through their creative practices.” Interim CEO and Artistic Director of Yorkshire Dance, Hannah Robertshaw, said “This Dance Transports was a truly beautiful experience, creating a
Celebrating dance champions
Photos: Dani Bower, D. Filipe, Clovis Lowe & Art of Being
Dorivalda Filipe
Dr Sandie Bourne
Batch Gueye
Black History Month was a time for reflection and celebration, and One Dance UK again provided prizes to dance professionals to support the incredible things they are doing in their community. Following the success of the 2021 competition, this October dozens of entrants shared details of their important work and after much deliberation, three £250 prizes were awarded to the following dance champions: • Dorivalda Filipe – Afrodance artist and teacher, Liverpool • Dr Sandie Bourne – Founder, Black British Ballet Project •B atch Gueye – Griot dancer, choreographer and dancer, Bristol
Alongside the £250 prize, which goes towards practice, project, or engagement with the community through dance of the African Diaspora (DAD), the artists are also equipped with: • A year’s free One Dance UK membership • Support, check ins and guidance from One Dance UK’s DAD team • Promotion across One Dance UK platforms • Further celebration opportunities throughout 2023 6 The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022
deep sense of connection for everyone in the room. The ethos of exchange created through the sharing of stories, ideas and movement language was embedded throughout. It was an incredible honour to bring this group of artists together and I hope it leads to many future collaborations.” Dance Transports participants
Further information
Find out more about Dance Transports opportunities: yorkshiredance.com/project/dance-transports
Upcoming dance science meeting Join co-hosts The International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and Middlesex University on January 14, 2023 for a unique hybrid IADMS Regional Meeting. Entitled The Holistic Dancer: The Art of Connecting Dance Science and Practice, the meeting will be held at Middlesex University, London, and live streamed to virtual attendees worldwide. Over the course of the day participants will explore the practices and principles that underpin dance science research with faculty from a variety of dance genres. Practical and theoretical sessions from researchers and teachers will cover a range of topics from Irish dance, inclusive dance practice, embedding evidence based practice in vocational training, hormones and performance, a somatic framework for teaching and much more! Further information
iadms.org/programs-events/regional-meetings
Reader Competition
WIN a £100 Theatre Voucher! One Dance UK is again celebrating 12 Days of Christmas with a whole range of exciting offers and activities.
We're offering a £100 theatre voucher for you to use to see a dance show/s of your choice in 2023!
For your chance to win: Email info@onedanceuk.org with the subject line ‘CHRISTMAS TICKET COMPETITION’ OR Keep an eye out for our Instagram post and follow the instructions on there. One Dance UK Members receive two entries per person, doubling your chance to win! The competition closes Sunday 12 December at 10am. Terms and conditions apply. Go to onedanceuk.org/ terms-and-conditions for information.
Photos: Dani Bower: Eden Youth Dance Company perform at U.Dance National Festival 2022, Birmingham
This incredible prize will be drawn on 12 December so don’t miss out!
The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 7
News
Freelance Dance: Helping freelance artists influence public opinion, policy and practice Freelance Dance is a project aimed at helping freelance artists influence public opinion, policy and practice has been designed and led by Karen Wood through her British Academy Innovation Fellowship and funding from Research England, in collaboration with One Dance UK as a cultural partner, and many freelance dance artists. So far, there have been over 100 engagements with freelance dancers, with a group of 15 artists forming a working group, meeting three times before the end of October. This working group and the results of the conversations from previous activity will feed into a Practical Recommendations report that will be presented, by them, to the All-
Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Dance, for which One Dance UK is the secreteriat. In February 2023 the working group will present at a symposium, sharing findings with stakeholders. This research is also part of a PhD project, conducted by Helen Laws, at the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University. Helen is focusing on the value placed on freelancers, specifically dance artists, within the cultural ecology and wider labour market and political environment. She is investigating the influence this has on their economic precarity and how they might better organise to be heard, imagine and influence improvements in pay and working conditions within the current socio-political context. Further information
freelancedance.uk Contact Karen Wood: karen.wood@coventry.ac.uk
Photo: Dani Bower
Calling all dancers: What is a ‘safe dance environment’? One Dance UK is asking dancers aged over 18 years old with over 5 years of dance experience to take part in research that will help explore abuse prevention and safeguarding issues in dance. The research will explore dancers’ experiences of safe dance environments to understand how dancers define what a safe environment is, and how it is (or is not) created and maintained by dance teachers, organisations, and dancers themselves. The research will include interviews conducted over Zoom. The responses from the interviews will be anonymised in any publication of the research findings. The project was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the 8 The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022
Further information University of Birmingham. Dr Grace Tidmarsh, School of Sport, Express interest in being a part of the study: info.dancingresearch@gmail.com Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences at University of Birmingham said: Learn more about the research One Dance “We are delighted to be working UK has done on safeguarding: in partnership with One Dance UK bit.ly/DanceSafeguardingSurvey on this groundbreaking research. One Dance UK supports the health, wellbeing, and Building an understanding of performance of the dance sector and works to improve the conditions in which dance is created, performed, and safeguarding and abuse prevention experienced. Part of this is ensuring dance environments policies and procedures used by UK are free of any form of abuse. dance organisations represents an We want to support everyone in our community as important step towards enhancing the we address safeguarding concerns, and we recognise that mental health concerns, mental health traumas, experiences of everyone who takes and cultural dynamics may underlie complex issues in dance around defining, understanding, and addressing part in dance.” safeguarding. We recognise that abuse can be a painful Erin Sanchez, Manager of Health, and difficult topic. If you’re feeling distressed, isolated, low, or otherwise Wellbeing, and Performance at One concerned about your wellbeing or mental health you can Dance UK commented: “Dance can be text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, the UK’s first free, confidential, 24/7 text support service, visit nidms.co.uk/mental-health a vocation, a passion, an expressive or reach out to your GP. outlet, and a way of enhancing our health. Every person in dance has the right to experience those benefits free from the risk of harm or abuse.”
WE SEE YOU TURNING YOUR PASSION INTO YOUR PROFESSION BA (Hons) Dance
uclan.ac.uk/dance
Offering specialist, full-time performing arts training to students across school, college and degree courses.
www.thehammond.co.uk The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 9
One Dance UK Awards 2022
One Dance UK hosted its annual Awards ceremony on Saturday 29 October at The Mount Without in Bristol.
• 11 Awards • 1000 Nominations • 1500 People's Choice Award votes 10 The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022
One Dance UK Awards 2022
The One Dance UK Awards 2022 celebrated the achievements of the vibrant UK-wide dance ecology over the past year. The Awards offered an impressive snapshot of the incredible work taking place across a number of categories including Young People's Champion, the Green Dance Award and Digital Innovation.
IMPERMANENCE Dance
One Dance UK Awards Host Dr Mena Fombo
Photos: Dani Bower
Bristol Ballroom Community dancers
Celebrating the South West
Panel Discussions and Insights
This year One Dance UK formed a partnership with IMPERMANENCE, resident company at The Mount Without, a Grade II listed church in Bristol’s city centre. IMPERMANENCE creates transformative, entertaining, world-class productions aiming to build and support a thriving dance scene in Bristol. During the Awards programme we shone a light on the great art, culture and food that Bristol and the South West has to offer, including local performers Bristol Ballroom, caterer Kate’s Kitchen and Dr Mena Fombo, a director, entrepreneur and inspirational global speaker, who compered the evening. We were delighted to welcome a presentation from the Bristol Ballroom Community celebrating dance, fashion, performance and gender expression.
We were joined by Cleo Lake, Laura Kriefman, Pavillion Dance South West's Victor Fung and IMPERMANENCE to explore the theme of “Artist Led Spaces: transcending physical and non-physical spaces.” The panel discussed how art, culture and dance occurring in different settings can provide space for alternative narratives, provocations and meaning. Thank you Thank you to everyone that came along to the evening’s events. We are proud of our community, the support we provide to one another, and all those that received a nomination or an Award. We are grateful for hundreds of nominations received, the 37 panel members who supported the judging of 11 Awards, and all our event sponsors, supporters and suppliers.
The One Dance UK Awards 2022 were sponsored by Harlequin Floors and the Black British Theatre Awards. We also thank Gordon & Co. for their generous support towards the Awards programme. The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 11
One Dance UK Awards 2022
One Dance UK Awards Shortlist and Recipients Congratulations to all shortlisted nominees and Award recipients! Award recipients are shown in bold People’s Choice Award Sander Blommaert Hannah Martin Sonia Brown Young People’s Dance Champion Award Amy Burdon Helen Wilson RISE Youth Dance Amber Leigh Science & Research in Dance Award Joseph Shaw Imogen Aujla Diego Marín The Green Dance Award Eliot Smith Dance Johnny Autin, Autin Dance Theatre Motion Control Dance
Photos from the celebration, clockwise from top left: PDSW Artistic Director and joint CEO Victor Fung leads a panel discussion L-R Andrew Hurst MBE, Awards 2022 Host Dr Mena Fombo and Alisha Kadri Simeon 'Van Hasselt' Qsyea and Kendra 'Kro' Horsburgh, Birdgang Ltd
Photos: Dani Bower
Lucy McCrudden, Founder, Dance Mama
12 The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022
Artistic Innovation in Dance Award BirdGang Ltd Claire Cunningham Hal Mayer Community Champion Award Rubicon Dance Dance United Yorkshire Movema
The Dance Spotlight Award Dawn Prentice Rosie Whitney-Fish Rose Kigwana (South East Dance) The Dance Changemaker Award Lucy McCrudden, Dance Mama Stacey Green Dance United Yorkshire
The Bob Lockyer Award for Health & Wellbeing in Dance Award Digital Innovation Dr. Rosaria Gracia DanceWest Parkinson's Dance Science The Jane Attenborough Award Gail Claxton-Parmel MBE
Alexander Whitley Dance Company Omari 'Motion' Carter Joumana Mourad – IJAD Dance Company
One Dance UK Awards 2022
Jane Attenborough Award 2022: Gail Claxton-Parmel MBE
Gail Claxton-Parmel MBE, Artistic Director and Co-founder of ACE dance and music, was awarded the prestigious Jane Attenborough Award as a recognition of her outstanding achievements in dance over the past 25 years. The Jane Attenborough Award honours an individual working in dance who, like Jane, has made an outstanding contribution to the artform throughout their career. She spoke with One Dance UK Project Manager, Rebecca Bertram about her work.
Gail ClaxtonParmel at the One Dance UK Awards
Many congratulations! What does it mean to you to be the recipient of the Jane Attenborough Award? It’s a huge honour to receive this award and I feel privileged that I can accept it on behalf of everyone who has worked with ACE dance and music over the 25 years of its existence. That’s what it is - a fantastic endorsement of the talent and determination of hundreds of artists, creatives and supporters who have made ACE what it is today. It gives me greater confidence in the work we do and the motivation to continue inspiring the next generation. You founded ACE dance and music with your husband Ian Parmel in 1997. How did the creation of ACE dance and music come about and what was your vision when the company began? After graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 1996 I worked for Kokuma Dance Theatre Company before Ian and I decided to form our own dance company. We were both passionate about allowing young dancers to discover and develop contemporary dance rooted in the traditions of the Caribbean and African diaspora, raising aspirations for them to know that anything is possible.
Photos: Dani Bower
“ Education and intercultural collaboration were at the heart of what we do from the very start, and we’ve never lost that vision – or our passion.” What are some of the challenges you have faced in your career? It’s probably easier to answer what challenges we haven’t faced! In truth though, contemporary dance is never an easy thing to do. At times we have struggled with making ends
meet, with obstacles placed in the way of us as people and of creating our art, of the shifting priorities of funding and of course most recently from the pandemic and the increasing and almost unbearable squeeze on those who we make our dance for, the people in our communities. Let’s hope things one day soon will get brighter. Can you tell us more about the practical research you are doing and how this is pushing the boundaries of what people can expect from contemporary dance? People are always surprised how powerful and yet controlled our work is. As a dancer, choreographer, founder, and Artistic Director, it’s always been at the core of my work to collaborate with artists and choreographers from across the globe creating opportunities to experience, learn about and discover diverse, culturally distinctive work that pushes boundaries. Our inimitable Afro-fusion style pushes dancers physically, technically and culturally to explore as deeply as possible some very complex human issues through dance. What’s next for you and the Company? Right now, we are embarking on our first tour in three years with an exciting double bill called Unknown Realms. In the longer term we are continuing to discover and nurture the next generation of artists, creating exciting collaborations with new choreographers who are challenging perspectives. We are also developing our educational programmes to try and support so many of the schools and colleges in Birmingham and across the country whose access to dance as a curriculum subject has been decimated over the last decade. That’s so important. Find out more about ACE dance and music here: acedanceandmusic.com The One Dance UK Magazine | Autumn 2022 13