'Intercultural Dialogues - The Body in African Dance'

Aims

The project will provide British audiences with the opportunity to work with a high standard African dance professionals, whilst broadening their skills in African dance forms and their perspectives on integrated dance practice.

Objectives
  1. Skill sharing in African dance
  2. Provide an example of integrated dance practice from Africa
  3. Broaden the level of discussion on integrated dance practices amongst professional practitioners
  4. Raise young people's awareness regarding issues of globalisation, cultural exchange and disability
  5. Engage in cross-cultural discussion about the arts, artistic practice, social responsibility and health and safety
  6. Create and strengthen networks between participating organisations
  7. Generate material on ‘Intercultural Dialogues - The Body in African Dance’ and disseminate this information to interested parties

INTEGRATED AFRICAN DANCE MASTERCLASS

Saturday 5th July, 10.30am - 1pm

A fascinating approach to opening up African dance movements to all physical abilities.

Led by: Funmi Adewole
Percussion: Landing Mane

This masterclass will explore movement principles found in many African dances;

-The use of ‘grounding’ to generate energy flow through the body

-Heightening awareness of focus points in the body enabling the dancer to increase their ability to isolate body parts

-Transfer of weight

This masterclass was for professional and semi-professional dance practitioners who are interested in specific principles in African dance beyond the display of virtuosity and speed. To see pictures of the masterclass click here

ADAD kindly provided 4 bursaries for physically disabled dancers to attend this masterclass. 
 
'Funmi Adewole is a performer and writer. She studied Modern European Languages with Theatre and Communication arts at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and worked as a TV producer and freelance writer before moving to England in 1994. She toured Britain with several companies including Horse and Bamboo Mask and Puppetry Company, Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble, Ritual Arts, Artistes-in-Exile, and the Chomondeleys. As a freelance artist, she experiments with fusions of African dance forms, post-modern compositional strategies and storytelling traditions/text. ’Funmi is presently completing an Arts council supported research project in African performance which included researching approaches to creating and teaching experimental African based dance. She holds a Masters in Postcolonial Studies from Goldsmiths College, London and writes on the notion of ‘African dance’ in theatrical dance practices.
 
 
This dance masterclass was part of The Big Dance 2008 festival.
 
Further events of 'Intercultural Dialogues - The Body in African Dance' to be announced.
 
'Intercultural Dialogues - The Body in African Dance' is in collaboration with Chaosandform (Director, 'Funmi Adewole)

Funded by Visiting Arts

Project partners: 
The Black-E
Kensington & Chelsea College of FE
The Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD)
Entelechy Arts

There are plans to host Compagnie Takku Ligguey as part of Intercultural Dialogues: The Body in African Dance

ABOUT TAKKU LIGGUEY

Takku Ligguey is based at the Centre Handicappe de Mbour (the Mbour centre for the disabled). The company choreographer - Michel Doudou Ndione, - is a renowned and versatile performer and dance teacher. He runs classes and residencies for professionals and dance enthusiasts who visit Senegal. Takku Ligguey was created in 1986 to give disabled people the opportunity to make a living without having to resort to begging.



The company is known for presenting performances of a professional standard in which all the dancers perform with the same dexterity, speed, and confidence irrespective of physical differences. Each year Takku Ligguey tours Senegal performing for both locals and tourists. The company has received 2nd prize for Dance in the FESNAC 2005 competition, and has participated twice in Kaay Fecc international dance festival. They have also performed in France, Spain, the United States, and in Japan. Takku Ligguey consists of disabled and non-disabled performers and the repertoire includes neo-traditional West African dances, as well as more contemporary choreography, songs, and some elements of circus.

http://www.takku-ligguey.org/