FunDance, StreetDance and DanceBlast were all so popular this summer that Motionhouse have decided to offer a similar set of projects again in October.

Motionhouse will run new dance projects for both boys and girls in the same age groups, in the Half Term week beginning 26 October, from Monday to Friday.

FunDance 5-8 years

StreetDance 9-12 years

DanceBlast 13-16 years

Keep your eye on the website Classes page at http://www.motionhouse.co.uk for further details, which will be published in early September.

If you want to guarantee a place on FunDance, StreetDance or DanceBlast, get in touch now to reserve your place: ring Motionhouse to register on 01926 887052.

Need Support or Advice? Just get in touch!

Want to run your own performance event but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you are new to teaching Dance and need some pointers. Get in touch with Dancescape and we will do our best to help, advise or signpost you on to the next stage. You can email Sarah Jassal on sjassal@solihull.gov.uk or Hayley on hduffield@solihull.gov.uk.

Also we would really like to know if you have any Dance events planned for 2009 or 2010, to help us begin to build a map of what is going on in the sub-region, and where it is all happening. Keep us updated by dropping us an email.

Following four fantastic years of National Youth Dance Festivals, Youth Dance England is coming back to the West Midlands to present its new national dance platform: U.Dance England 2010.

This exciting event will showcase exceptional dance performances by young people aged 11 to 19 from across England on Sunday 4th July 2010 at the Birmingham Hippodrome and will form the flagship performance for the U.Dance programme.

The application pack will be available to download from 1st September 2009. The deadline for applications is Monday 30th November 2009; those shortlisted will perform at regional dance performances in the hope of being selected for the national event.

Also, keep an eye on the YDE website (www.yde.org.uk) for up to date news on the next round of applications for Stride! and Young Creatives in 2010. These programmes are open to young people who are looking to develop skills in choreography or gain work experience in the Dance Industry.

For more information contact Hayley Duffield, Youth Dance Contact on 0121 704 6309 or email hduffield@solihull.gov.uk.

The first Dancescape sub-regional Youth Dance Showcase will be held on Tuesday 10th November 2009, at Solihull Arts Complex. This will showcase the talent of Dance groups from across Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire. Dancescape are looking for a total of 8 groups to perform on the evening, and would like to invite group leaders to submit a proposal to take part in the event. The proposal should explain a little about the group, and also state what the group plan to perform for the showcase event. Dancescape are looking for groups to meet the following criteria:

The Group meets to rehearse out of school time and are committed to developing dance/performance skills and technique.
There are 5 or more members of the group who will perform.
The group shows a creative flair, and are willing to push the boundaries of Youth Dance.

The deadline for sending a proposal for your youth dance company/group to perform is 5pm, Wednesday 30 September and can be sent via email to hduffield@solihull.gov.uk or by post to:

Hayley Duffield
Youth Dance Contact
Solihull Arts Complex
Homer Road
Solihull
B91 3RG

ACE Dance and Music are touring their new work, Switch, to Solihull Arts Complex in September 2009. Switch draws inspiration from ancient practices and their relevance to our lives now. Dancing from the heart, ACE will pull energy from its oldest, purest source and transform it into something fresh, new and pulsating – flipping on its head the notion of tradition and the ancient.

Date: Tuesday 29th September 2009
Tickets: £10 adults, £9 Concessions and £6 school/community group bookings (1 in every 10 is free).

Schools can have workshops with professional dancers from the company, on Monday 28th September 2009. This would be a fantastic introduction to Contemporary Dance for new students, especially if combined with seeing the show on the following day. A two hour workshop will be £150 (two artists).

If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your school, please contact Hayley Duffield on 0121 704 6309 or email hduffield@solihull.gov.uk

Are you a talented Dancer living in the Rugby area? Do you love to perform?

Come along and audition to join Rugby’s newest Youth Dance Company!

The audition is open to all 15-19 year olds and will be held on Thursday 17th September 2009.
At Avon Valley School from 6.00 – 7.30pm.

There will then be sessions every Thursday evening (excluding school holidays) for company members to develop dance skills and technique and work towards performances.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact:
Hayley Duffield at Dancescape on 0121 704 6309 or email hduffield@solihull.gov.uk

What: National Youth Dance Festival
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
When: 4 July 2010

U.Dance England is the new incarnation of the National Youth Dance Festival. This high profile youth dance event will take place at the Birmingham Hippodrome on 4th July next year, with a three-night dance residential beginning on 1st July.

Application packs are available from the U.Dance website from 1st September 2009. Dancers or dance groups need to be aged between 11-19, with a minimum group size of 1 and maximum of 15. U.Dance welcomes applications focusing on any dance style.

To find out more and download an application pack, visit: http://www.u-dance.org

Coventry based creative arts organisation ‘Gener-8’ are splitting their Bollywood dance workshops because of increasing demand. From Monday August 10th, weekly workshops have been separated for under 15s and over 15s.
 
The workshops use a combination of Bollywood and Bhangra music, and take place at St Paul’s Church Hall, 346 Foleshill Road, Coventry, CV6 5AJ.

The juniors workshops are suitable for 6 to 14 years of age, and started on Monday 10th August, 18:30 to 19:30 and cost £2.

The over 15s workshops started on Friday 14th August and are from 19:00 to 20:30, costing £2.

The workshops are suitable for all abilities, so great for people that want to take part in an enjoyable form of exercise. No doubt all participants will make new friends. Adults and juniors will learn Bollywood routines, and hopefully the majority of participants will then perform at shows and events, although performing is not compulsory.

Ravi Sandhu said “we find that our younger learners have different needs, than those over 15 years of age, so are now starting two workshops per week to cater for this. Our dance workshops have seen a generic growth over the last 6 months which is great, and at the same time we have more people within the Gener-8 team that can instruct bollywood dance”.

Participants can be from any culture or background and must be comfortable with taking part in moderate exercise. Anyone who has any health ailments should seek advice from a medical physician before getting involved. Come wearing sports gear and a good pair of trainers, bring a bottle of water and have a great time.

For more information please visit http://www.gener-8.net, or contact Ravi Sandhu on 07920 463 805 or email ravi@gener-8.net

Hayley Duffield
hduffield@solihull.gov.uk

National Youth Dance Conference: Onwards and Upwards

Youth Dance England are holding a National Conference on 2nd and 3rd April 2009. Youth Dance England is the national dance organisation for young people, and works to create the conditions that ensure that all young people have access to high quality dance both in and outside of schools. The conference will include special guest speakers, seminars, information exchanges, films and live dance performance. Onwards and Upwards focuses on the growth in popularity and the importance of dance for children and young people.

Venue: The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, London, EC4V 3DB
Date: 2nd and 3rd April 2009
Cost: £180 individual, £285 Organisation, £330 Public Sector

Visit http://www.yde.org.uk for more information and details of how to book.

Solihull Arts Complex
Wednesday 18th March, 7.30pm

Nationally acclaimed choreographer Sonia Sabri returns to Solihull Arts Complex with an all new show, Parallels, featuring fresh and funky interpretations of North Indian dance style Kathak.

The first half consists of three new contemporary Kathak solos; Spill, Neon Dream and Trail and the second half Chaturang, a selection of classical Kathak accompanied by original live music. This eclectic fusion of dance and music promises an entertaining insight into an increasingly popular dance movement and is suitable for all ages.

To book tickets at a special rate of £6 each, call the Box Office on 0121 704 6962 and quote ‘Arts E-Offer’