Dance United

Dance United NI is in the process of changing the company’s name to DU Dance, the new name will be formally adopted from April 6^th 2012.

DU Dance is currently delivering the first part of a cross generational dance project targeting women and girls across a wide age range in Ballymena, Ballymoney and Belfast.  The programme encourages the sharing and exchange of ideas, skills and knowledge and connections between women of different generations and from diverse communities.  It will include the composition of original and live music, by composer Ruby Colley, and a diverse skills programme and will conclude with the creation of two short films.

Merge is a a dynamic, large scale programme for young people aged 14-24 beginning 5 September and ending with 5 performances at the Belfast Festival at Queen’s 17-19th October 2011.

This project merges urban music, art and dance forms and is aimed mostly – but not exclusively – on young people not in full time training or education.

Why should you get involved?

The project will offer up to 80 participants support and encouragement from cutting edge and experienced professionals to prepare for a unique major performance in Belfast.

Young people will learn about what it takes to prepare, plan and deliver a top class performance, gaining new skills along the way.

To get involved you don’t need previous experience of dance, just the will to get participate!

About the organisations supporting the project
Merge is supported by Dance United NI, YouthAction, New Lodge Arts, Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre and Square Pit Productions.

Partner organisations will support young people through rehearsals towards the performance at T13 – a warehouse in Belfast Titanic’s Quarter which has been transformed into Ireland’s ‘largest urban playground’.

How to get involved

Young people over 16 years of age and not in full time education or employment can contact Unemployed Resource Centre. They will be engaged up to 15 hours a week (5 x half day) 5 Sep-19th October 2011.

There will be an introductory day for anyone interested is at 11am, Thursday 1 September at Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre.

Contact the Brian or Eileen at Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre 028 9096 1111 for more interest or to register.

Young people aged 14 – 18 years of age and in full time employment or education can contact New Lodge Arts. They will be engaged up to 5 hours a week (1 evening + 1 half day @ the weekend) 5 Sep-19th October 2011.

Contact Katrina at New Lodge Arts on 9074 2255 or email katrina@newlodgearts.com for more information or to register.

For general information, please contact the Dance United NI Office at 028 9033 0956 or email info@danceunitedni.com

Project Funders

National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Belfast City Council
The Linbury Trust

Project Sponsor

Belfast Harbour Commissioners

On Wednesday, 2 March 2011, the CRAIC Theatre and Arts Centre in Coalisland will be the venue for the world premiere of Sutemos, a dynamic, large-scale, inter-cultural community dance performance.

It will be performed by some 50 young people, representing the diverse international communities, now resident in the Dungannon and South Tyrone area. Presented by Dance United NI, the programme will be led by the up-and-coming Dungannon choreographer and dancer, Sheena Kelly.

Sutemos is the Lithuanian word for twilight. This arresting 40-minute piece takes strands of contemporary music from east and western Europe and uses them as the framework for a creative exploration of that mysterious time of day, the time in-between light and dark. An abstract narrative follows the young people as they embark on a series of unique personal journeys from passing strangers to new friendships.

The content of cast and performance piece reflect the rich culturaldiversity that exists within the area, with young dancers from Lithuania,East Timor, Latvia, Portugal, West Africa, Ivory Coast, Ireland and Britain taking part.

Many of the young performers, who range in age from 11 years to 23 years,have had no previous dance experience. In just seven short weeks of intensive rehearsals, they have acquired multiple new skills. They have made a significant contribution towards shaping the production, working in collaboration with the choreographer and one another, to create an innovative and ground-breaking piece containing important, relevant inter-cultural themes.

“As someone who was born and raised in Dungannon, this project is particularly exciting for me to be involved in”, said Sheena Kelly.

“Young people in this area have a considerable wealth of talent, commitment and energy and it is great to have an opportunity to tap into theircreativity. It has been particularly rewarding to see the progress which has been made by those who have never before been involved in dance”.

Mags Byrne, artistic director of Dance United Northern Ireland added:”The company has relished this opportunity to work in South Tyrone, and further the process of dance development in Northern Ireland. We believe a project like Sutemos empowers young people, boosts their self-esteem, forges better community connections and promotes a shared sense of culturalenrichment”.

Gilly Campbell, Dance and Drama Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “As the core funder of Dance United NI, the Arts Council supports initiatives like this that reach out to young people from all communities, helping to develop their creative skills. This dance performance offers the young performers an excellent opportunity to come together and experience each other’s cultures, while entertaining audiences with the best in contemporary dance.”

The performance begins at 7.30 pm. For tickets, please contact CRAIC Theatre, 28 8774 1100 (Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm) or email atcraicartscentre@yahoo.com , tickets are £5 and £3.

Craic Theatre is located at Unit 51, Coalisland Enterprise Centre,Dungannon Road, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone, BT71 4HP.

For additional information please visit CRAIC’s website athttp://www.craicartscentre.co.uk/

* Project partners who helped support the production include:Belong, CRAIC Theatre and Arts Centre, Dungannon and South Tyrone BoroughCouncil, and Southern Education & Library Board.

* Sutemos is supported by Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust and Northern Ireland Community Relations Council. and through sponsorship provided by local businesses: J.Aidan Kelly, Gables Restaurant, and Greiner Packaging Ltd.

*The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the principal funder of Dance United Northern Ireland. Other core funders are the Linbury Trust and Belfast City Council.