Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2025 (LDIF25) returns for the festival’s fifteenth edition. The festival offers an opportunity to highlight the trailblazers who have pushed boundaries for Black dance internationally, to forge new movement vocabularies, and to champion the voices of the African, African Caribbean and Latin American Diaspora and intersectional perspectives. LDIF has established a reputation as a leading UK voice and home for Black dance.
LDIF25 explores the theme Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues. It is an opportunity for conversation that celebrates the richness of Black dance. The festival explores how common movement languages can be found, even if different ones are spoken. Conversely, LDIF25 is a forum that refuses to be reductionist in the representation, opening discussion around culture, connections and collaborations.
We celebrate International Dance Day on 29 April with new commissions from Shirley Langhelle, and Oraine Frater choreographed by David Blake, before the full festival takes place from 12 – 17 May 2025 with a week-long programme.
The annual conference, exploring the theme of this year’s festival brings together Melissa Blanco Borelli, Anita Gonzalez, Diedre Nyota Dawkins and Torens L Johnson, Claudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas, Eduardo Vilaro and Melissa M Young. Masterclasses and Dance Dialogues bring together Boyzie Cekwana, Claudine Carter Pereira, Alexandria Davis, Eric Parra, Thomas Prestø and Tia-Monique Uzor.
Cia Pé No Mundo from Brazil present an intimate duet examining the body as an archive, taking place in Leicester’s historic Guildhall (12 May). Signatures and the Black British Dance Platform come together to showcase emerging and establishing dance practitioners with a mixed bill of UK and international artists. Finally, Ballet Hispánico return to LDIF with CARMEN.maquia, reclaiming and reimagining the often misunderstood character of Carmen and providing an opportunity to reflect on legacies of being misrepresented or appropriated.
We look forward to seeing you there, Let’s Dance!
Pawlet Brookes MBE CEO and Artistic Director
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Cover Image: Ballet Hispánico in CARMEN.maquia. Photographer Paula Lobo. Pawlet Brookes MBE, Photograph by Lauryn Pinard
LAUNCH
LET’S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS 2025 LAUNCH SHIRLEY LANGHELLE, AND ORAINE FRATER CHOREOGRAPHED BY DAVID BLAKE
Tuesday 29 April
7.00pm
Studio Box – Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
£20 | £18 Concession
To celebrate International Dance Day and the launch of Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2025 (LDIF25), Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage welcomes two soloist dancers to take centre stage in its new space, as LDIF celebrates 15 years of bringing world renowned dance to Leicester.
Tufani
la Hubba
– Shirley Langhelle
Tufani la hubba meaning “the hurricane of love”.
As per Nina Simone in the song Wild is the Wind, it is a case of her expressing her love and hoping that her lover feels the same despite any uncertainty of human emotion. Following her tone and choice of words, she hopes that she is the deep root that is not carried away by the chaos but acknowledges the fact that chaos has no rules or control.
This request for reciprocity, it is a depiction of courage and hope, being able to boldly state the love for the people from the Diaspora: African, African Caribbean and Latin American.
It is about believing in the dream for a better future of the people and hoping it turns out for the best and the world is, however, accepting that the environment is uncertain and unpredictable, despite all, still hoping and believing that better change is coming and a new dawn is possible.
This is a root in the gale of love.
Shirley Langhelle is a soloist and principal dancer, with over 12 years’ experience working with Tabanka Dance Ensemble. She has toured nationally and internationally, including at previous editions of LDIF. Certified to level 12 in the Talawa TechniqueTM, Langhelle was involved in Uncovered: Black Dance, a training programme in 2023 involving over 50 young people from Belgium, UK and USA. This will be Langhelle’s LDIF solo debut.
Reflections – Oraine Frater, choreographed by David Blake
Reflections explores the journey of self-exploration and the quest for meaningful relationships. It powerfully reminds us that, in moments of solitude, we often lay the groundwork for the connections that shape our lives.
Oraine Frater is a dancer and choreographer. He danced with L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force, before becoming a cast member for the UK tour of Disney’s The Lion King.
David Blake is the inaugural Academy Director of Urdang. He was previously a principal dancer with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and performed in Disney’s The Lion King, playing the role of ‘Banzai’ in London’s West End.
CIA PÉ NO MUNDO
Monday 12 May 7.00pm
The Guildhall
£20 | £18 Concession
Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas are the creators and directors of Cia Pé no Mundo. The company was founded in the search for Black representation in the contemporary dance scene. Cia Pé no Mundo’s dance language is based on practical and theoretical research on the dialogue between Brazilian African Indigenous manifestations and contemporary dance.
With a very diversified background in dance, Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas have studied with Francesca Harper (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Forsythe Company), Marta Coronado (Cia. Rosas - Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker), Teresa Navarrete (Dance Conservatory of Seville/ Spain), Shelley Senter (Cia Trisha Brown) and Ko Murobushi, amongst others. Together they toured several countries such as Argentina, Austria, Spain, France, Portugal and Russia. Acting as dancers, they also worked with Antonio Nóbrega, Ismael Ivo, Ivaldo Bertazzo, Fernando Lee, Maxine Happener, Né Barros, Pablo Sansalvador, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Tati Sanchis and Tino Sehgal, amongst others.
In 2022, they developed a research project at the artistic residency Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, through the Brasil Cena Aberta project in partnership with the City of Paris and the Consulate of France.
The company made their LDIF debut in 2023 and return with a new duet, celebrating the start of the festival week, exploring the intangible connections across the Diaspora and the hidden histories that are woven into the fabric of cities such as Leicester.
Image Credit: Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas in Ato Perene. Photographer Clarissa Lambert.
SIGNATURES AND THE BLACK BRITISH DANCE PLATFORM
Wednesday 14 May
7.45pm
Curve Studio
£10 – £20
Two platforms in one evening of dance. Signatures and the Black British Dance Platform come together to showcase emerging and developing dancers and choreographers locally, nationally and internationally for a unique mixed bill performance.
SIGNATURES
TETHERED
Jameel Hendricks
TETHERED is a new ballet centred around a particular sector of the human experience expressed through the music selection, and the virtuous efforts of the dancers. Conceptually, the work embodies the current state of mental health in society and the impact of the aftermath of the pandemic, racial tensions and inflation. Daily reports of mass shootings, domestic violence, hate crimes and murder are at the forefront of news outlets and social media. Yet despite these occurrences, the public are still held to the functional expectations of a society that existed prior to the traumatic events of the past four years.
TETHERED is a ballet that reflects the social masks that people wear every day, so as not to be perceived as unstable, when the reality is one of instability.
Jameel Hendricks is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) where he received his early training as a dance major and was appointed the position of Dance Captain entering his senior year. In 2016, Hendrick began his tenure as a company member of PHILADANCO and has worked with choreographers such as Anthony Burrell, Sean Bankhead and Rennie Harris. On the commercial stage, Hendricks has performed alongside artists such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and XSCAPE. Hendricks also has extensive experience in collaborating with the School District of Philadelphia using dance as a way to contribute to the artistic and communal endeavours. He recently launched his new production company M3 (ME) Productions, a parent company to MOVE Dance Collective. Hendricks made his LDIF debut in 2017, performing with PHILADANCO and now makes his choreographic debut at the festival with TETHERED
SIGNATURES AND THE BLACK BRITISH DANCE PLATFORM
SIGNATURES
Mixtape
Liam Francis, FranDanCo
Mixtape is a provocative exploration of music, the body and brotherhood - a visceral performance that celebrates the dynamic synergy between dance and sound, showcasing the intimate bonds among three young Black men.
Choreographed by Liam Francis, the performance explores what it takes for an individual to become part of a community. Invitation, resistance, acceptance and pleasure all play a part in this short performance that draws on Francis’ own experiences of slowly allowing feelings of isolation, threat and competition to be replaced by trust, intimacy and friendship. Just as communities are built through the development of shared experiences, landscapes and languages – here the soundscape, mixed live by music composer Chloe Mason, is created by capturing the sounds of the dancing bodies. Together they build a unique and spontaneous ‘mixtape’ – a compilation of sounds that speak of the joyful complexity of a life lived fullytogether.
The dancers draw effortlessly from the dance canon, nodding at hip hop, ballet, disco, contemporary and jazz, all held gently within a fluid and playful language completely his own.
Liam Francis is an international dance artist and choreographer. His practice is informed by his interest in the relationship between flow state and dance, which has been the focus of his recently completed research master’s degree at Rambert School. His professional performance career began at Zoonation Dance Company in 2009. Between 2014 and 2021 he was a leading dancer with Rambert Dance Company performing and creating roles in works by internationally renowned choreographers such as Mark Baldwin, Christopher Bruce, SidiLarbi Cherkaoui, Merce Cunningham, Ben Duke, Sharon Eyal, Wayne McGregor, Marion Motin, Patricia Okenwa, Hofesh Shechter, Wim Vandekeybus, Didy Veldman and Alexander Whitley. In 2021 Francis was nominated by Dance Europe as ‘Dancer of the Year’ and Tanz magazine as ‘Best Male Dancer’.
Francis’ own choreographic work has been performed in London, Massachusetts, New York, Oxford, Paris, Rotterdam and Rome. In 2022
Francis’ duet, Dual Till the Death, received 4 partnership awards at the Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition and another award at the Choreography Competition Hannover. He has made works for graduating students at The Place, London Studio Centre and Rambert School, as well as dance companies Ballet Theater Trier, Rambert, SALLY, Shechter2 and Skånesdansteater. Francis is the founder and director of dance company FranDanCo.
SIGNATURES AND THE BLACK BRITISH DANCE PLATFORM
BLACK BRITISH DANCE PLATFORM
Don’t Step on My Shoes
BlacBrik
BlacBrik is a contemporary dance company committed to crafting dynamic dance theatre that resonates with audiences. Founded by Darius Drooh and Nahum McLean, the company merges storytelling and choreography to delve into themes of relationships, identity, and shared human experiences. As an emerging company, BlacBrik strives to produce accessible and engaging work that speaks to audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Nahum McLean trained at The Ailey School on scholarship, toured internationally with West Side Story, and performed in London’s West End in Inala - A Zulu Ballet. He was also a member of Richard Alston Dance Company. Darius Drooh is currently performing in the West End’s The Lion King. He has received the Beach Blanket Babylon scholarship and choreographed for the NYC Jazz Choreography Festival. His training includes scholarships to prestigious programs such as The Ailey School.
Don’t Step on My Shoes is a bold and dynamic contemporary dance piece that examines themes of pride, respect, and conflict within the Black male community. With intricate choreography, spoken word and creative contributions from lighting designer Joshie Harriette, the work explores the act of ‘stepping on someone’s shoes’ as a metaphor for identity, materialism, and vulnerability.
BlacBrik’s productions aim to bring fresh perspectives to contemporary dance, combining high-energy movement with relatable storytelling.
Echoes of Connection
Blake Arts
Echoes of Connection delves into the intricate web of human relationships and the profound impact these connections have on our lives. The piece captures the ebb and flow of our interactions, portraying moments of intimacy, struggle, joy, solitude and longing.
Blake Arts is an independent dance and mentoring programme, providing high quality performing arts experiences through comprehensive training. It contributes to the development and presentation of diversely capable artists with the skillsets to sustain their careers in an ever-changing global arts environment. Blake Arts is led by David Blake, an international performing artist, lecturer and choreographer with more than 25 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, appearing in commercials, TV shows, film and print. A former principal dancer with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and formerly a company member of Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King playing ‘Banzai’, he is currently Academy Director at Urdang.
Image Credit: David Blake.
BALLET HISPÁNICO CARMEN.MAQUIA
Friday 16 – Saturday 17 May
7.30pm
Curve Theatre
£10 –
£28
Ballet Hispánico returns with its electrifying reimagining of Carmen. It is a contemporary take on Bizet’s beloved classic, which celebrates 150 years in 2025. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble, flamenco and movement of the Latin American Diaspora.
The story has not changed; however, CARMEN.maquia presents an authenticity through the vision of choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, whose work, 18+1, featured as part of Ballet Hispánico’s repertoire at Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2022. This version provides an opportunity to reclaim and reimagine a character who is often misunderstood, and through her, reflect on legacies of being misrepresented or appropriated.
Ballet Hispánico was founded in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, challenging iconic representations and exposing the joy and celebration to be found in Latinidad. Today, it is the largest Latin American cultural organisation in the United States and one of America’s Cultural Treasures. Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as a company dancer in 1985, becoming the organisation’s second Artistic Director in 2009 and CEO in 2015. Vilaro has built on Ramirez’s impact: Ballet Hispánico’s New York City headquarters provide the physical home and cultural heart for Latinx dance in the United States. It is a space that initiates new inclusive cultural conversations and explores the intersectionality of Latin American cultures. No matter their background or identity – Latine, Latinx, Hispanic – Ballet Hispánico welcomes and serves all, breaking stereotypes and celebrating the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures through dance.
“This Carmen has a spare, elegant, Modernist look.”
Brian Seibert, The New York Times
“Ramírez’s movement is refreshingly unique…. Ballet Hispánico’s ensemble plays many parts and manoeuvres through humorous and nuanced moments with ease and clarity.”
Broadway World
“An experience unlike any other in the Latin dance space we’ve seen in quite some time…. CARMEN.maquia continues to haunt us in the most beautiful way.”
Latina Magazine
CONFERENCE INTERSECTION: DIASPORIC DIALOGUES
Tuesday 13 May
10.00am – 5.00pm
Studio Box – Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
£80 | £70 Early Bird*
The conference for Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2025 explores the theme of Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues. This annual gathering of artists, activists and practitioners has established a growing reputation as a leading voice and home for Black dance.
Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues is centred in exploring the dance practices of the Diaspora across Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. It initiates a conversation in culture, connections and collaborations forged through diverse socio-political environments with a shared global history. From Cuba and Colombia to Honduras and Haiti, Black presence has led to a diverse range of dance practices including kumina, kalinda, salsa, bachata, tango, son and merengue. However, Black erasure has also led to the appropriation and commercialisation of dance styles, removed from their ancestral connections. How do we connect the threads across the Diaspora to honour the past, present and future of Black dance in all its complexity?
Image Credit: Amir J Baldwin and Cori Lewis, Ballet Hispánico in Danse Creole by Geoffrey Holder. Photographer Benjamin Rivera.
Contributors include:
Melissa Blanco Borelli (USA/Cuba/Colombia)
Melissa Blanco Borelli is a critical dance studies scholar, choreographer and cultural critic. She is an Associate Professor of Theatre and the Director of the Dance Program at Northwestern University. Her research interests include Blackness in Latin America, critical dance studies, performative writing, popular dance on screen, Black performance theory, (Black) feminist (auto)ethnography, historiography, archives, and the digital humanities. She was the Principal Investigator in a UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and Colciencias funded grant project (2018-2021) that focused on embodied performance practices, memory, and archives working with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities affected by the Colombian armed conflict. She is the author of She is Cuba: A Genealogy of the Mulata Body which won the Dance Studies Association’s De la Torre Bueno Prize® for best book in dance studies in 2016. In 2022, she received the UK’s Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA) Best Edited Collection prize for the special issue of Contemporary Theatre Review “Outing Archives/ Archives Outing” co-edited with Professor Royona Mitra (Brunel University) and Professor Bryce Lease (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama).
Anita Gonzalez (USA)
Anita Gonzalez is a Professor of Performing Arts and African American studies at Georgetown University and a Co-founder of their Racial Justice Institute. She was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her edited and authored books include Performance, Dance and Political Economy (Bloomsbury), Black Performance Theory (Duke), Afro-Mexico: Dancing Between Myth and Reality (U-Texas Press) and Jarocho’s Soul (Rowan Littlefield). Gonzalez also directs, devises and writes theatrical works. Her innovative staging of historical and cross-cultural experiences have appeared on PBS national television and at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, The Working Theatre, Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, New York Live Arts, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and other national and international venues. Her librettos have been produced by Atlanta Opera (Faces in the Flames, 2023) and Boston Opera Collaborative (Courthouse Bells, 2023). Other musical writings include Zora on My Mind about Black women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship and Ybor City the Musical about Cuban unionism and racial division in 1918. Gonzalez is a Fellow in the American Opera Project's Composers and the Voice programme, a member of the National Theatre Conference, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, and the Dramatists Guild.
CONFERENCE INTERSECTION: DIASPORIC DIALOGUES
Diedre Nyota Dawkins and Torens L Johnson (USA)
Diedre Nyota Dawkins is a 2003 New York City Bessie Award winner for outstanding dance performance and a 2016 recipient of the President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for National and Community Service. She is also the 2020 Evidence Award recipient for Artistic Expression with the theme Sistas Prepared, Positioned and Pivotal for Such a Time as This. She is the Founder and Director of Dance is Healing, a mentorship programme for middle school girls and is currently the Dance Director at ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School and the Founder and Director of Connexions Repertory Company. She served as an adjunct professor in dance at Coppin State University for 10 years and is currently Assistant Professor in Dance at The Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory BFA programme. Dawkins spends the summer months mentoring middle school dancers as the Director of AileyCamp Baltimore/Peabody.
Torens L Johnson completed the dance certificate programme at The Ailey School and performed nationally and internationally with Ailey II. He received his BFA from Towson University and served as a dance educator for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Pasco Academy High School, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School and Friends School of Baltimore. He taught dance at AileyCamp for many years and in 2021 he became the AileyCamp National Deputy Director. He has worked as a freelance educator and choreographer for Anne Arundel Community College, George Mason University, Morgan State University, and numerous educational institutions.
His performing credits include ClancyWorks Dance Company, Stephanie Powell DansEnsemble, Edgeworks Dance Theater, Tony Powell Music and Movement, and Wylliams/Henry Dance Theater. In 2020, Johnson completed his MFA at Wilson College, and he currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Dance at Texas State University.
Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas (Brazil)
Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas are the Founders and Directors of Cia Pé no Mundo. The company was founded in the search for Black representation in the contemporary dance scene. Their dance language is based on practical and theoretical research on the dialogue between Afro-Indigenous Brazilian expressions and contemporary dance. With a very diverse dance background, Cláudia Nwabasili and Roges Doglas had the opportunity to study with artists from companies such as Francesca Harper (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Forsythe Company), Marta Coronado (Cia. Rosas - Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker), Teresa Navarrete (Conservatory of Dance of Seville/ Spain), Shelley Senter (Cia Trisha Brown)and Ko Murobushi, amongst others. Together they have toured several countries such as Argentina, Austria, Spain, France, Portugal and Russia. Acting as dancers, they have also worked with Antonio Nóbrega, Ismael Ivo, Ivaldo Bertazzo, Fernando Lee, Maxine Happener, Né Barros, Pablo Sansalvador, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Tati Sanchis and Tino Sehgal, amongst others.
Eduardo Vilaro (Cuba/USA)
Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second individual to lead the company since its inception in 1970. In 2015, he expanded his role to include that of Chief Executive Officer. A member of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985, Vilaro initially contributed as a dancer and educator before founding the Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, where he served as Artistic Director for ten years, establishing a significant record of achievement. Vilaro has enriched Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s evolving cultural landscape. In 2024, Vilaro joined the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council of the Meridian International Center based in Washington, DC. Additionally, he received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from his alma mater, Adelphi University, in recognition of his distinguished achievements in learning and the arts.
Melissa M Young (Honduras/USA)
Melissa M Young started her career at Dallas Black Dance Theatre as a dancer for eleven years, then moved up the ranks as Rehearsal Director, Academy Director, Associate Artistic Director, Interim Artistic Director, and was appointed as Artistic Director in September 2018. She was an Assistant to the choreographers, Hope Clarke for The Dallas Opera’s Porgy and Bess and Christopher L. Huggins for Dallas Theater Center’s production of The Wiz. Young is a graduate of the Leadership Arts Institute, Class of 2022, a programme of Business Council for the Arts in Dallas County. She is a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance. Young has served as an advisory panellist for arts organisations that include the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Texas Commission on the Arts and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and is a former board member for the Dance Council of North Texas. Additionally, Young serves as a mentor for the 2024 Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training (DILT), a menteedriven national dance mentorship and leadership development programme.
*Early Bird ends 28 February 2025.
DANCE DIALOGUES
Dance Dialogues is a conversation with movement at the centre. A series of seminar and lecture-demonstration style presentations, which unearth key research and issues across the sector, led by esteemed international practitioners.
Thomas Prestø (Norway/USA)
Thursday 15 May
2.00pm – 4.00pm
Studio Box
£15
Thomas Talawa Prestø is an esteemed dance artist, researcher, and pioneer in African and African Diaspora performance studies. As the Founder and Artistic Director of the internationally celebrated Tabanka Dance Ensemble, Prestø has led the company for 17 years, performing in over 30 countries. Under his guidance, the ensemble has produced fully professionalised dancers on several continents, playing a pivotal role in diversifying the global arts scene. Renowned as the foremost specialist in polycentric dance technique, Prestø developed the Talawa Technique™, a fully codified dance method that integrates ancestral African and African Diaspora movements with contemporary sensibilities. His scholarly pursuits delve into how traditional African and African Diaspora dance practices are adapted for stage productions and artistic performances. He examines ethical considerations of cultural heritage utilisation, miscommunication for sensationalism, and the impacts of globalisation and cultural tourism on African cultural expressions. His work embodies inclusive and decolonial practices and his innovative documentation style, known as Cognoscape, immerses readers into his knowledge landscape.
The Forensic Ballerina –Claudine Carter Pereira (Bahamas/USA)
Friday 16 May
10.00am – 12.00noon
Studio Box
£15
Claudine Carter Pereira studied extensively with the Joffrey Ballet School before she put her dance career on the “back-burner” to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Loyola College in Maryland and later a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Despite her change in career path, she continued dancing throughout graduate school at both Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Ballet. Known as the “Forensic Ballerina,” Carter Pereira is currently the Director of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory. She attributes many of her successes in life to lessons learned in ballet class and shares that it is possible to pursue an alternative career and yet still maintain your passion for the arts.
Boyzie Cekwana (South Africa)
Friday 16 May
2.00pm – 4.00pm
Studio Box
£15
Boyzie Cekwana began his career as a dancer. He joined Adel Blank's company before he was spotted by the Artistic Director of the Playhouse Dance Company, who hired him as a dancer, but also as choreographer-in-residence. In 1995, he created Brother, Brother, which was awarded a prize at the Third International Ballet and Choreography Competition in Helsinki, Finland. Two years later, he created African Odyssée, produced with help from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. That same year, he founded his own company, Floating Outfit Project, based in Durban. In 1999, he was awarded first prize at the third Biennale des rencontres chorégraphiques africaines et de l'Océan Indien in Antananarivo, in Madagascar. Over the past 20 years, Cekwana’s work has joined art and political engagement, creating a body of work at once lucid, political and critical. Many of his works are now part of the repertoire of prestigious companies like the Ballet de Lorraine, the Scottish Dance Theatre, and the Washington Ballet.
Tia-Monique Uzor (UK)
Saturday 17 May
4.15pm – 5.15pm
Studio Box
£15
Tia-Monique Uzor is a dance scholar and artist who writes and publishes around issues of identity, cultural traffic, popular culture, and women within African and African Diasporic dance. She is a lecturer at the Royal School of Speech and Drama, teaching across theatre, performance and movement courses. At the heart of her work lies an investment in Black survival and identities. Her current practice is interested in exploring the intersections of ecological and social injustice experienced across Black geographies through digital performance.
In 2022, she produced, directed and choreographed the short dance film, The Noise My Leaves Make which explores Black British women’s intimacy and pleasure in the English countryside. The film was an award finalist at Dance Camera West 2023 in Los Angeles and won the jury award for Best Experimental Short at the Cannes Short Film Festival 2023.
DANCE ON FILM
Thursday 15 May 7.00pm Studio Box £15
A showcase of film exploring the theme Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues.
We are the Heat
Director: Jorge Navas Colombia and Argentina, 2018 Ihr 44mins
In Buenaventura, Colombia, a kingdom of corruption and drug trafficking, Harvey and his three friends are doomed to a life of poverty and uncertainty. While attempting to escape their harsh reality, they use music and urban dance to overcome and defy their violent destiny.
Darío
Directors: Manuel Kinzer and Jorge A Trujillo Gil Germany, Colombia and Spain, 2018 15mins
Darío, a 17-year-old boy from Barranquilla, Colombia has a passion for dance. He loves his carnival group but has to keep it a secret from his mother, who is afraid that he will not grow up to be a “real man“. Instead, she forces him to spend the day working in his uncle’s shop. Will he be able to dance in the carnival parade?
NETWORKING
SERENDIPITY CONNECT NETWORKING EVENT
Tuesday 13 May
5.30pm By Invitation
Studio Box
An opportunity for conference delegates and members to join together for an exclusive networking event to meet fellow practitioners, debate and discuss development in the sector. Serendipity Connect is an international network of artists, arts administrators and academics which opens the door for innovative collaborations, talent development and ideas exchange.
COCKTAILS AND CONVERSATION
Saturday 17 May
6.30pm By
Invitation
Curve Mezzanine
An exclusive reception to celebrate the finale of Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2025 and 15 years of bringing world renowned dance to Leicester. It is also an opportunity to see 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark, an exhibition commissioned by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, curated by Pawlet Brookes, showcasing the portraits of Black British women, including many who have changed the dance sector in the UK.
LDIF+ MASTERCLASSES
LDIF+ Masterclasses are an opportunity to experience high quality dance techniques and practices, led by internationally acclaimed practitioners, not frequently accessible in the UK.
Cia Pé No Mundo (Brazil)
Wednesday 14 May 10.00am – 12.00noon
Curve
£30
Cia Pé No Mundo’s practices are rooted within body and reflexive practices. Their methodology involves articulating moments of culture, history and racial relations in Brazil with moments of study of movements and techniques of AfroIndigenous Brazilian dances and different African Diasporic dances. The class will establish a parallel with dance artists closely linked to the issue of Black representation in the Brazilian, UK and global contemporary dance scene.
Horton Technique –Melissa M Young (Honduras/USA)
Wednesday 14 May 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Curve
£30
Teaching master classes both nationally and internationally, Melissa M Young specialises in the dance technique of Lester Horton. Horton technique emphasises a whole-body approach to dance, incorporating dance practices from across the globe; the practice became the standard training for students at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She was the primary Horton Technique Instructor for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre company dancers from 1998-2017. As an Adjunct Instructor, she has taught at Southern Methodist University, Texas Woman’s University, and Abilene Christian University. Over the years, she has led several movement workshops for Leadership North Texas and Leadership Dallas.
Exploring the Dunham Technique: A Journey of Self and Social AwarenessAlexandria Davis (USA)
Thursday 15 May 10.00am – 12.00noon Curve
£30
Alexandria Davis is an Assistant Professor of Dance and a multidisciplinary artist whose work as an actress, choreographer, dancer, educator, and screen dance artist explores social commentary and alternative narratives. Davis’ artistic journey is deeply influenced by her research of dance performance, ritual and technique. Her movement is her story—abstractions of America's Black History strategically linked to form an ever-evolving tale of myth and culture.
This lecture demonstration is designed for individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of the Dunham Technique as a physical practice, a performanceas-research framework, and a holistic way of life. The Dunham Technique is not just a dance style but a comprehensive approach that integrates the mind, body and spirit, promoting self-discovery and community connection. Participants will engage in an in-depth study of the philosophy behind the Dunham Technique, which includes the principles of self-knowledge, detachment and discrimination. The session will also explore Katherine Dunham's legacy as a multifaceted artist, anthropologist and humanitarian, as we discuss the impact of her pioneering work in arts activism and dance studies.
Ballet Hispánico (USA)
Saturday 17 May
10.00am – 12.00noon Curve
£30
Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latin American cultures through innovative dance productions, transformative dance training and community engagement. Work alongside artistic leads from Ballet Hispánico to learn more about their repertoire as a resource providing access points for movement, sociopolitical and cultural context.
Eric Parra (Colombia/USA)
Saturday 17 May
1.00pm – 3.00pm Curve
£30
Eric Parra began his dance training at Montclair State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. Parra is currently a performing artist with Limón Dance Company, Camille A. Brown and Dancers and the Metropolitan Opera House. Through the José Limón Dance Foundation, Parra has been able to share his knowledge of the Limón technique and repertory through being a lead resident teaching artist for Limón4Kids in NYC Public Schools, sharing masterclasses in various institutions around the country as well as Spanish-speaking countries, movement coaching for Limón Pro and Limón Launch students, and teaching open classes in Peridance Capezio Center, Gibney Dance, Bryant Park and Ailey Extension. In 2020, he and his cousin Erica Kika Parra co-founded Parra La Gente, a project company designed to celebrate Afro-Colombian heritage through music and dance. Parra is the recipient of the 2016 Martha Hill Dance Fund Young Professional Award and the 2017 Linda Roberts Outstanding Senior Dance Award, has been featured in The New York Times Arts Section (2019), and was part of the Arts Professional Learning Institute 2021 cohort. He is also the newest member of the Martha Hill Dance Fund's Board of Directors.
EARLY BIRD PASS
Serendipity Connect Members always save more. Join today. Bringing together artists, practitioners, enthusiasts and industry professionals to create an international community of creatives, Serendipity Connect allows members to build and strengthen connections through discussions, experiences and exclusive events, as well as offering professional development, research and networking opportunities.
Early Bird Festival Pass for Members
£295 For existing members
£365 For new members, includes annual insider membership
The festival pass provides access to the full festival programme from 12-17 May (excluding the launch on 29 April), plus exclusive members events with a saving of over £50. Limited places available, available until 28 February 2025.
Insider Membership
£70 per year / £6.50 per month
Perfect for students and emerging dance artists wishing to gain insight and opportunities.
• Hands-on experience at events and festivals
Meet and connect with fellow industry professionals and gain experience in the arts sector.
• Guidance and mentorship
Unique access to professional guidance and support.
• Priority booking
Access to festival programmes and tickets before official release.
• Discounts 15% - 20% off all performances. 15% off all masterclasses and screenings.
• Free Subscription to BlackInk (e-magazine)
Our annual magazine exploring Black arts, heritage and cultural politics along with industry news, opportunities, reviews and a showcase of emerging talent.
VIP Membership
£100 per year / £9 per month
Designed for industry professionals and arts enthusiasts seeking to be a part of an international network of creatives.
• Priority booking
Access to festival programmes and tickets before official release.
• Exclusive Members Events
Meet the Connect community at networking events and discussions.
• Discounts 20% off all performances. 15% off all masterclasses and screenings.
• Access to Dialogue Box
Enjoy 10% discount when hiring our new meeting room suite.
• Free Subscription to BlackInk (e-magazine)
Our annual magazine exploring Black arts, heritage and cultural politics along with industry news, opportunities, reviews and a showcase of emerging talent.
• Digital Archive
VIP members have access to our archive of over one hundred years of Black arts and culture.
• International Dance News
Share news with fellow members and keep up to date with industry news with our e-newsletter.
• Online Resources
Access live-streamed events as well as training materials and artist interviews.
If you would like more information about the Connect Membership Scheme, please email info@serendipity-uk.com or call +44 (0)116 482 1394.
HOW TO BOOK
Book online at www.serendipity-uk.com
Call Serendipity on +44(0)116 482 1394
Visit Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage at 8 Bowling Green Street, LE1 6AT
The Gresham Aparthotel provides luxury accommodation in the heart of Leicester. Its iconic building has been sympathetically renovated to incorporate stylish interiors and a home from home environment. During your stay, benefit from all of the facilities and services one would expect from a boutique hotel, whilst also enjoying the flexibility and comfort of apartment living.
Get 15% off when staying during LDIF25 with the discount code: Serendipity
SERENDIPITY
Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, Leicester. Serendipity’s mission is to centre perspectives from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora, embedded as part of cultural experiences for all. Serendipity’s programmes include the flagship dance festival, Let’s Dance International Frontiers (LDIF), Black History Month Leicester (BHM) and the Annual Windrush Day Lecture. Serendipity has established a legacy through hosting and growing a living archive, documenting Black arts, heritage and culture, publishing the voices of Black arts practitioners and community activists, nurturing artists to create high quality new work, and mentoring young people.
FABRIC is a Midlands based organisation dedicated to demonstrating and embedding the social value of dance and movement.
Our home cities of Birmingham and Nottingham and the communities we serve and collaborate with are constantly changing, bringing a diversity of practices and forms together to make the Midlands an extraordinary place for dance.
Our approach is informed by our curatorial values of curiosity, disruption, and joy and takes shape through the following:
Research
Holding a space of curiosity driven by the desire to understand more about what dance is, what it can be, and what impact it can have. Call outs for residency opportunities take place yearly.
Engagement
Creating an accessible and sustainable environment for organisations, artists and practitioners to connect for the joy of dance in all its forms. This includes Our Centre for Advanced Training programme for young dancers aged 11 to 18 and our regular class programme. Presentation and Showcasing
Producing, co-producing and championing art and performance with dance and movement at its core, to ensure the artform is recognised for the essential role it plays in the UK’s cultural and creative offering.
Sector Development
Creating, identifying and supporting conditions for the growth of dance, working in partnerships with local, national and international organisations and individuals. We also offer free space and 1-2-1s for Midlands-based practicing artists in supportng their artistic development.
VENUES
Curve Rutland Street Leicester LE1 3UL
T: +44(0)116 242 3595
W: www.curveonline.co.uk
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
The Guildhall Guildhall Lane Leicester LE1 5FQ
T: +44(0)116 242 2800
W: www.leicestermuseums.org/ leicester-guildhall/
Dialogue Box and Studio Box Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
8 Bowling Green Street
Leicester LE1 6AT
T: +44(0)116 482 1394
W: www.serendipity-uk.com
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
Access Information
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage is committed to ensuring that all are welcome to attend events at Let’s Dance International Frontiers. For further information, including venue layouts, details of events with British Sign Language and Audio Description or for marketing materials in accessible formats, please visit www.serendipity-uk.com, email info@serendipity-uk.com or call +44(0)116 482 1394.
Programme Changes
All details were correct at the time of print. Whilst every effort will be made to keep to the announced programme, it may be necessary to make changes without notice and in accordance with current government guidelines. Refunds or exchanges will be made at the venue or organiser’s discretion, please see terms and conditions for further details.
Concessions
Where stated, concessions are available to full-time students (with student ID), state pensioners, people with disabilities, unemployed and children under 16. Please be prepared to provide proof of concessionary status. Curve discounts for 16-26 years and students are available with Curve’s 1626, Student Membership and Curve Connect.
Transaction Fees
Fees may apply to card payments made online, via telephone or in person. Every effort is made to ensure costs are clear where applicable.
Serendipity
Institute for Black Arts and Heritage 8 Bowling Green Street Leicester LE1 6AT
Room CL00.14, Clephan Building, De Montfort University, The Gateway Leicester, LE1 9BH
