A SEASON OF DANCE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY CREATIVITY
IN | motion Autumn 2015
LUDUS DANCE
Cooking up a storm!
IN motion autumn 2015 Welcome Hello and welcome to the Ludus Dance ‘IN motion’ magazine for Autumn 2015. You may have noticed that we have taken the liberty of shaking things up a bit with regards to the look and function of our termly publication.
IN motion is an exciting new physical space to find out more about the organisation, what have been up to this year and what we will be getting up to in 2016. This year represents a key milestone for the organisation, as over the last few months we have been celebrating 40 years of great art and dance for everyone. The last five years has seen the organisation go through a period of significant change, notably moving from a co-operative to a charity. It is a testament to the people that shaped and nurtured Ludus Dance over the last 40 years, that we are able to stand today in 2015 and celebrate our recent achievements with pride; and their passion, drive and unwavering ambition for great art is still making ripples across the UK contemporary dance scene. As we build up to our 40th birthday party in November, the team have been delving into the Ludus Dance archives for information on its rich heritage. One thing that clearly stood out for us is that, from its conception in 1975, Ludus Dance has always been about the ‘people’. Whether experiencing dance as a participant or producing/delivering dance as a practitioner, people thread through the very heart of the organisation, and I would like to think that this is still true today. Everyone that engages with the organisation is forever part of the Ludus Dance family, and with talk of further cuts to the arts and cultural services over the next five years, this notion of ‘family’ has never been more important. Without our supporters - young ambassadors, freelance artists, stakeholders and professional advocates - we could not continue to provide the level and quality of engagement across the region that we currently do.
In response to this I am going to set a little challenge. If you know of our work and believe in our mission, please pass that information onto someone that doesn’t. Tell them how your experience of Ludus Dance has influenced your view of dance in the North and tell them to get in touch! #Dance4everyone It is my hope that the Ludus Dance you see today both honours the past ambitions of its founder members and looks boldly forward; actively shaping and supporting the future of dance locally, regionally and nationally for the next 40 years. Think of Ludus Dance as a space to: learn, grow, explore, make, discuss, debate and interrogate. Anthony Briggs Creative Director @AntusB
IN motion autumn 2015 Spotlight on…
Breakout Breakout is a new integrated dance initiative for Lancashire, which aims to recruit young disabled and non-disabled dancers to form an integrated young people’s dance company, and to establish research around new innovative practices in integrated dance. With investment from Curious Minds, Arts Council England and Lancashire County Council’s Local Initiative Fund (LIF), Ludus Dance began a series of free weekly workshops in Burnley and Wyre in January. These workshops are open to anyone aged between 12 and 25, with or without a disability – including physical, educational or mental health problems. A selection of young people from both of these localities were invited to come together to form the Breakout Integrated Company, which worked with artists Helen Gould and Jamie Pickles to devise a piece called ‘ONE’. The Breakout Company has enjoyed performing ONE at several regional dance platforms, including the Lancashire Youth Dance Festival in Lancaster and the Brewery Dance Platform in Kendal. The weekly Breakout workshops will continue for much of the rest of the year and a new piece will be devised with the Breakout Company. At the same time, we will be actively seeking new sources of funding to make the project sustainable in the longer-term.
Performing at Lancashire Youth Dance Festival
Breakout workshop with artist Jamie Pickles For more information on the Breakout programme, or if you’re interested in joining the group, email info@ludusdance.org
IN motion autumn 2015 Nurturing Young Talent Ludus Dance places emphasis on working with children and young people at every age and level of ability – championing the many benefits of dance as a vital part of cultural education. By providing high quality opportunities in dance, as well as plenty of support and encouragement, we aim to inspire future generations of dance artists.
Ludus Youth Dance Company (LYDC) LYDC offers talented young dancers, aged 14-21, the opportunity to improve their dance technique and performance skills through work with nationally respected choreographers and other industry professionals. Company members are selected annually by audition. They typically come from all walks of life and around 80% of LYDC alumni go on to study dance at degree level or at a UK Conservatoire. We were delighted this year, when the 2014-15 company was selected (as one of only two groups) to represent the North West at Youth Dance England’s U.Dance National Festival in Plymouth. After a concerted fundraising campaign, the group raised enough money to make the trip this July. And they certainly did us proud – crowning an already amazing year and performing a beautiful piece called ‘Somewhere in Between’, which had been choreographed for them by Julie Ann Minaai. Auditions for the 2015-16 cohort of LYDC members took place in June. We were pleased to offer places to 18 young people. This year the company will create a piece with choreographer Gary Clarke, which they will take up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! Given the high number and standard of applicants for this year’s LYDC, we have also created the LYDC Associate Dancer Programme – a scheme for young dancers who are not quite ready to join the core company but would benefit from skills boosting sessions and performance opportunities with Ludus Dance. The MAKE Programme As part of our 40th-year celebrations, this year Ludus Dance also launched a creative bursary scheme, called MAKE, to support the development of original, youth-led choreography. After an application and selection day process, small bursaries were granted to 4 young people (aged between 14 and 19), who will also receive mentoring and skillsbuilding support to enable them to turn their ideas into reality. Our MAKE bursary recipients will be showcasing their new work at the “Aspects in Motion” platform on 21st September in the Media Factory at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). Entry to this event is free. To reserve a ticket, email info@ludusdance.org.
IN motion autumn 2015 Supporting Regional Dance Artists
Strong, competent and skilled artists are the backbone of a thriving regional dance ecology. As a dance development agency for Lancashire, Ludus Dance has created TRIGGER - an artist development programme for North West based dance graduates, facilitators and professional dance artists. We have given much thought to the variety of ways in which we can offer practical support and up-skilling opportunities to both emerging artists and seasoned professionals as they develop their practice. In 2014-15, for example, we were delighted to be able to host masterclasses Ben McEwan, David Lloyd, James Wilton, Gary Clarke and TurnAround Dance Theatre, as well as offering free training in inclusive practice and for artists working with older people. We are also currently working on a tiered Artist Membership Scheme that will offer a number of tangible benefits for members, such as use of our dance studio in Lancaster, mentoring support and priority access to free and discounted CPD opportunities. Watch this space!
Pro Class at Ludus Dance Pro class is a free contemporary technique class for professional artists based in Lancashire (or just visiting!). Delivered weekly by members of the Ludus Dance creative team, or by guest artists, it helps to maintain technical proficiency as well as providing opportunity to network and share ideas. No need to book, just turn up! Thursdays, 10:00-11:30am.
Get connected If you work in dance, or have recently graduated, stay up-to-date with the latest professional news by subscribing to our Dance Artists Bulletin at http://eepurl.com/ bfYwA. We regularly send email updates with details of professional development, training and freelance opportunities. Why not connect with our ‘Ludus Dance Professionals’ page on Facebook too?
IN motion autumn 2015 Spotlight On...
Journey of a Lancashire Soldier A group of talented young dancers based in Chorley is working with Ludus Dance on a commemorative youth dance project called ‘The Journey of a Lancashire Soldier’. The project, which is supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme, has been running through 2015 and will culminate around Remembrance Week in November. The 12 young men from the Chorley and District Boys Dance Company have been working to create a piece of contemporary dance theatre which explores the emotional and community dynamics between soldiers of local battalions as they signed-up and went off to fight. Their piece will be performed live in November at Lancashire Infantry Museum (at Fulwood Barracks in Preston), coinciding with the launch of a special exhibition. In the piece, the Chorley Boys imagine that they sign-up as a ‘Pals’ battalion (part of the East Lancashire Regiment) and head off to war. The most famous battle of, what was to become known as, the Accrington Pals was the attack on Serre (Battle of the Somme) – after which 584 of the 720 men were either killed, wounded or missing. A film accompanying the dance performance – created by the boys with filmmaker Michael Wray – documents this episode and it’s aftermath. David Casserly plays ‘Sergeant Casserly
Bayonet training
The Chorley Boys perform Journey of a Lancashire Soldier at Lancashire Youth Dance Festival
Whilst researching the project, the group took part in an intensive learning workshop with David Casserly of Lancashire County Council’s Heritage Learning Team, which gave them an insight into WWI army drills and bayonet training. After the project has concluded, an educational resource pack will also be distributed to schools and libraries in Lancashire, via the Museums and Libraries Service. The Chorley Boys was established in 2008 by local dance artist Sarah Gough, to enable boys who demonstrate talent in dance to continue their Contemporary Dance training.
“Everyone learns about the World Wars when they are at school, but this project has brought light to aspects of a soldier’s lifestyle that I would not have even considered. We have gathered as much knowledge as we can from different historians and historical texts to make our story as accurate as possible and to express what it would have actually been like for a young Lancashire soldier. All the dancers were honoured with this opportunity. We just hope that if a soldier watched it they would feel as proud as we do.” Will Manley, Member of The Chorley Boys
IN motion autumn 2015 Dancing Across Lancashire
ance!
Can D
Little Spinners
arris
ting H
Anima
Wise Up
LANCASTER
BURNLEY BLACKPOOL
PRESTON
ORMSKIRK
BLACKBURN
Little Spinners Between April and July of this year, Ludus Dance worked with Lancashire County Council Museums Service and Friends of Helmshore Mill to deliver free weekly early years dance sessions, for children under 4-years old, at Queen Street Mill and Textile Museum in Burnley and at Helmshore Mill in Rossendale. Funded by the Arts Council, the project was designed to encourage creative learning through movement and play. It was led by early years dance specialist, Anna Daly, and and also involved training for museum workers - thereby allowing sessions to be continued independently.
Can Dance! Focussing on West Lancashire, this project has seen Ludus Dance working with Libraries in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale to unite communities and increase engagement in the Arts. Popular sessions have included ‘Bop n Brew’ (a class for adults) and ‘Dance my Selfie’ (for young people), as well as several successful one-off fundraising events. The programme is due to continue into the Autumn.
Wise Up We were delighted to receive support from Lancaster’s Business Improvement District to produce a series of outdoor micro-commissions, which were performed by professional dance artists in the streets around Lancaster City Centre. These ‘happenings’ took place in the week preceding the Lancashire Youth Dance Festival and were used to celebrate the city’s rich arts heritage and increase local public interest in this annual showcase of young dance talent. At the end of the week, over 200 young people also took part in flashmobs at 2 major city centre locations.
Animating Harris Ludus Dance will be working with 2 youth groups from Preston this Autumn, to create a series of site responsive performances in the Harris Museum, themed around some of its exhibitions. In a project funded by Preston City Council’s Cultural Framework grant scheme, the groups will work with professional dance artists to animate the exhibitions through exciting and intriguing choreography.
IN motion autumn 2015 Dancing In Lancaster From beginners to professionals, Ludus Dance offers a welcoming and friendly environment at our Lancaster dance studio. As well as being enjoyable, dancing also offers a wide range of positive health benefits, including better flexibility, strength and stamina. For adults, it’s a great way to reduce stress, gain confidence and meet new people. For children and young people, regular dance lessons can support the development of balance, coordination and stamina, as well as giving young people the chance to work as part of a team and improve communication skills. Our high-quality and varied programme of classes makes learning-fun, whether you’re new to dance or looking to improve your technique.
Early Years 0-4 Years • Space Babies (0-17 mths) • Jumping Beans (2-4yrs)
• Mini Movers (18 mths–3 yrs) • Ballet Tots (3-4 yrs)
All sessions £3.50 per class.
Young People 5-18 Years • Little Breakers (5-7yrs) • Stage Dance (5-7 yrs and 8-11 yrs)
• Ludus Street Crew (7-11 yrs) • Flash Mob Company (8-18 yrs)
All sessions £3.80 per class, except Flash Mob which costs £30 per half term (6 weeks).
Young Adults & Adults 16+ Years • Flash Mob Company (up to 18 yrs) • Open Ballet (16+ yrs) • Intermediate Contemporary (18+ yrs) • Stretch and Boogie (40+ yrs) • Adult Performance Company (40+ yrs) Prices vary according to lesson duration. Concessionary rates available. Block-booking and loyalty scheme discounts available. For more information on these classes, visit www.ludusdance.org or call 01524 35936.
Ludus Dance Satellite Programme As well as running weekly dance classes from our Lancaster studio, we can also help your community centre, nursery or care setting offer dance as a regular activity. For example, Ludus Dance artists provide weekly dance sessions for Little Learners Nursery & Preschool in Galgate. If you would like to discuss offering dance at your centre or setting, please contact a member of our Dance Development team at info@ludusdance.org or on 01524 35936.
IN motion autumn 2015 Lancaster Dance Classes Timetable
Term Dates Monday 14 September to Sunday 13 December
Mondays Space Babies (0-17 mths)
10:00-10:45 am
Mini Movers (18 mths–3 yrs)
11:00-11:45 am
Little Breakers (5-7 yrs)
4:00-4:45 pm
Stretch and Boogie (40 plus)
6:00-7:00 pm
Adult Performance Company (40 plus) 7:00-8:15 pm
Tuesdays Jumping Beans (2-4 yrs)
10:30-11:15 am
Ludus Street Crew (7-11 yrs)
4:00-5:00 pm
Intermediate Contemporary (18 plus) 7:00-8:15 pm
Thursdays Pro Class (Professional Dance Artists) 10:00-11:30 am Flashmob (8-18 yrs)
6:00-7:00 pm
Open Ballet (16 plus)
7:00-8.15 pm
Saturdays Ballet Tots (3-4 yrs)
9:00-9:40 am
Ballet Tots (3-4 yrs)
9:45-10:25 am
Stage Dance (5-7 yrs)
10:30-11:15 am
Stage Dance (8-11 yrs)
11:30-12:30 pm
Half Term: Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November
How do I book? Call us on 01524 35936 Visit our website at www.ludusdance.org Discounts available for full or half-term advance bookings, or you can just turn up and pay on the door.
What to Wear Anything you feel comfortable in, which doesn’t restrict your movement. Bare feet are ideal for working on our dance floor, although some classes require trainers or shoes (not black soled). If you are not sure, please ask. Please remove all jewellery before each session.
Hire our Studio Our well equipped 7m x 15m dance studio can be used for rehearsals, private classes workshops and events at competitive rates. Email info@ludusdance.org for details.
IN motion autumn 2015 Contact Us Tel: 0152435936 Email: info@ludusdance.org Website: www.ludusdance.org facebook.com/ludusdance twitter.com/ludusdance youtube.com/ludusdance Ludus Dance: Assembly Rooms, King Street, Lancaster, LA1 1RE.
Ludus Dance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England No. 7729308, and a registered charity, Charity Registration No. 1144163.