BODIES IN URBAN SPACES

On the 14 and 15 May, Brighton Festival and South East Dance presented Willi Dorner’s Bodies in Urban Spaces involving 21 dancers. The performances were enthusiastically received by approximately 1,800 festival goers who were led through the streets of Brighton as part of a moving trail. The project builds upon South East Dance’s partnership with the Brighton Dome and Festival, aiming to bring international dance artists to the region and engage audiences with new, cutting edge work that challenges perceptions of dance. Charlotte Spencer, performer in Bodies in Urban Spaces, said: ‘I thrived on the mental challenge this presented. I came away buoyant and energised….and would gladly do the project again!’

A SEASON TO TAKE PART

South East Dance’s summer of participation is underway. Following the success of last year’s TAKEPART Festival, a new team of moving Voices volunteers managed the Community Dance Stage at TAKEPART 2010. South East Dance is also collaborating with partners across the region to get 7,800 people dancing as part of Big Dance South East England (BDSEE). Culminating on the 10 July, BDSEE will provide hundreds of opportunities to try new dance styles, take part in site specific performances and join flashmobs. To complete the season we are challenging the public to take part in a sponsored Dance-a-thon, providing 8 hours of taster workshops as part of London 2012 Open Weekend on 23 – 25 July. Contact Kirsty Sulston for further information.

SADHANA'S THE SHIVER

Having secured funding from The Wellcome Trust and Arts Council England, South East Dance Associate Artist Subathra Subramaniam’s new company Sadhana has been busy with rehearsals for its inaugural production The Shiver, which previewed at ICIA, Bath on 8 June before opening at Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe on 10 June. Sadhana will then embark on a UK tour in the autumn, coordinated by South East Dance, which will come to an end at The Place on 25 November in London. Audience member Theresa Beattie said: ‘Interesting ideas were presented which made me want to focus and look deeply into the movement and stage picture. All in all a really successful evening’. Contact Louise Hennessy for further information.

SOUTH EAST DANCE

NEW DIRECTIONS

Following an extensive period of artistic and organisational review, South East Dance is delighted to introduce its Business Plan for the period 2010 – 2013. Having consulted with over 124 stakeholders to shape our activity, future work will be guided by 5 programme areas that contribute to the development of dance within and beyond the region. Our new programme areas include: The Artist Development Programme, Expanding Platforms & Audiences, Building Communities, Raising the Game and Commissions & Presentations. Find an introduction to our plan here. We welcome your feedback, which can be directed to sed@southeastdance.org.uk.

JASMIN VARDIMON COMPANY - 7734

Co-commissioned by South East Dance, Jasmin Vardimon Company’s new work 7734 will receive its world premiere at Brighton Dome on 23 September 2010, before touring nationally and internationally throughout the autumn. 7734 questions the human forces and weaknesses that have manufactured hell on earth whilst illuminating both our capacity for survival and the poetry of hope. Jasmin Vardimon Company is company in residence at South East Dance and presents 7734 in association with South East Dance, Brighton Dome, Sadler’s Wells, La Comète, Hall for Cornwall, Take Art & Soho Theatre. To find out more visit www.jasminvardimon.com

FLOURISH SUMMER INTENSIVES

South East Dance has programmed a series of training intensives for Flourish summer 2010. The programme offers a number of specialist professional development opportunities, which have been curated by regional artists. The European Aerial Dance Forum, a 4 day course led by Gravity and Levity in association with Brighton Dome will take place in August, as will Communicating with Clarity, a 3 day course to develop communication skills led by Rivca Rubin and curated by Lindsey Butcher. Space for Ideas: Choreographer & Composer Exchange, led by Fin Walker and Ben Park, will take place in early September in partnership with The Point Eastleigh. More...