Workshops in Plymouth

Rachel and Rachel went to the seaside but were far too curious about the dancing to see the sea. Blue Eyed Soul led some of its final workshops last week; a morning with dance students from the University and community practitioners many of whom work with Attik Dance. We all moved together and once again appreciated the importance of dance in our lives.
The afternoon session was with a regular Attik group who were enthusiastic and delightful in their creativity. The later session involved a core group of more experienced dancers who explored some contact improvisation and choreographic techniques.
Attik Dance are doing some fine and inspiring work in Plymouth so if you're local do get down there and join in.

GLASGOW - Finale

And so Aerial O comes together through a progression of an open Dress Rehearsal for Scottish National Opera staff followed by two performances for family, school staff and friends.
Rapturous applause, tears in many eyes  and comments like, "I'm gob-smacked!" herald its success.
The mood of the closing circle was both celebratory and sad as we said our farewells to each other and this part of the project.
Looking forward to next time...





Clicking on any of these photos will take you to a larger version!

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GLASGOW - Day 7

The last day of rehearsals and Aerial O finally looks like a complete piece, well almost. Just a few last minute things to sort out tomorrow!!! Ashcraig and Smithycroft schools seem to be pulling out all the stops to help with the project, Dirty Feet continue to maintain their smiles and good humour whilst working hard. The artistic and technical team are steering the whole thing as one great collaborative effort. Don't really want to think about it all ending... perhaps it won't.

GLASGOW - Sunday

Sunday rehearsal with the SNO singers and a chance to talk music with the conductor. Still a few unknowns about timings but a brilliant orchestra will adapt to our needs.
Jenny from Ashcraig School made a special journey on her day off to collect a harness for Ross, making it easier for us all tomorrow: yet another example of the immense commitment, goodwill and support this project has inspired.
Then  back over the footbridge in the spectacular Glasgow evening light.

GLASGOW - Friday's TV recording

Rehearsal on Channel4 News

Although not mentioned by name in the report...,
Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company is delighted to see
Channel4 taking an interest in 'Aerial O'.
If you missed the news broadcast, see it here -
(be patient - it takes a while to load!)



and read more about it here on the Channe4 News
site - http://bit.ly/vqFXW0

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GLASGOW: Friday

Channel 4 in filming today for a news item this weekend. If you miss it live it will stay on the C4 website for some time, so don't panic!

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GLASGOW: some rehearsal photos

 More photos to come as the rehearsals continue.

GLASGOW - Day four: magic moments

A good day with some magic moments as the different elements come together: live singing, colourful lighting and beautiful movement. Today was marked by focus on each task and a growing excitment for the performances next week.

Channel 4 are filming us tomorrow so keep a look out on the TV!

GLASGOW - Day three: buzzing with activity

A day buzzing with activity - back-to-back rehearsals giving just about everybody an opportunity to get off the ground. Time to remember, invent, listen, respond.

It's such a joy to be working with a larger team at Scottish Opera with experts in every aspect of performing arts - including a pianist for rehearsals!!

Time is our biggest challenge - will there be enough?...

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GLASGOW - Day two: ropes in place

Rachel and Ruth standing proudly in front of the ropes.

GLASGOW - The tricky bit

Getting all the inner circle to link together is always the trickiest bit but, hey, what a team!

GLASGOW - Putting the centrepiece together

Rachel, John and Ross getting to grips with the rig on the first afternoon in Glasgow.

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50 Ways to lead a workshop

Rachel and Sally lead the first of a two creative training days with local artists and teachers in Worcester. Organised by Dancefest and very exciting too, so good to meet with energetic , dedicated and talented artists. The learning never ends.

Join in the Dance Transformations Symposium Online

Dance Transformations: Developing Choreographers Symposium

Wednesday 19th October 10am to 5pm

The event is sold out – if you’re not there in person you can follow the day online on Twitter following the hashtag #DanceT.

Join in conversations afterwards on our social network www.dancetransformations.ning.com.

Aerial O

Glasgow for the past three days, with Ashgraig and Smithycroft schools, Dirty Feet Dance group and members of Scottish Opera. We all danced, flew, talked and planned for the BIG production in November. All in all a brilliant time with a great team.

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Aerial dance with Castle Wood School

The end of a very happy week working at AT7 centre in Coventry with children from Castle Wood School. The Sports Centre was buzzing with activity all week but the staff found time to help with the scissor lift and in reaching up to page the ropes in and out each day ready for the evening volleyball and badminton sessions. They also allowed us into their staff room for much needed mugs of tea!
Class 10 came to 3 sessions and their learning was totally visible. As the week progressed they moved from nervous trepidation to confident and dynamic physicality. Supported by their amazing class teacher Melanie and a fantastic team of staff the children, all of whom have 'profound autism' and little verbal communication, showed their enjoyment in many ways, with smiles, eye contact, nods, gestures and the obvious recognition and excitement of the activity each new day.
Classes 4, 7, and 8 had one session each and quickly got the hang of what was going on. They gave clear 'cues' when they wanted to be swung high above the ground and played with the new dimension of aerial work with curiosity and imagination.
It all happened because of Richard Hayhow and the Shysters' way of working in the school. The only question is, what next?

My last day at Blue Eyed Soul on Work Experience

Today was my very last day of work experience which included working alongside Jenna and Rachel Liggitt (going through emails with Jenna and various other admin tasks).
This week has been such a wonderful experience. I have learnt a great deal of information about what goes into a dance company like Blue Eyed Soul- a lot more than what I had originally thought. All of the staff at the Lantern and inside the company have been very friendly towards me which is always uplifting and have helped me every time I have asked.
I am now very tired and have a lot of respect of the amount of work going into the Dance Company and I will be sorry to see it close in March.
I am hoping however to stay in touch with Blue Eyed Soul before that time including joining Envision (a LIKE youth dance workshop) starting a week on Sunday.
Now I would just like to say to all the members at Blue Eyed Soul thank you ever so much for giving me the opportunity to do my work experience with the company and you have all been so wonderful, this week has given me a real insight to behind the scenes and has really helped with my decision for my future after school. I hope the last few months of the company go very well for you all.

Charlotte Evans work experience

A day working with Rachel Freeman

My third day of work experience at Blue Eyed Soul was working with Rachel Freeman. During the morning I helped her research some information which see needed -to hire a cherry picker for the company. We then both sorted through all the areial equiptment including harnesses, safety ropes etc. Rachel needed all the information given on the tags which you can imagin took a long time to gather.
Rachel Freeman had a dance workshop in the afternoon which,she is leading at a secondry school with 6 children/teenagers all around 15years of age for six weeks. It was really interesting for me to see the differences between Rachel Liggitt teaching primary school children the other day and seeing Rachel Freeman teaching the secondry school students. This has given me a real insite to this section of their type of work. I am hoping to attend one of there Like youth dance workshops myself in the near future as I find the company and their work very interesting and I would really like to keep in touch with the company until next March, it will also give me the opertunaty to see disabled and non-disabled dancers working together as I have not yet had the chance to do so.

Charlotte Evans Work Experience

Second day of work experience at Blue Eyed Soul

My second day at Blue Eyed Soul has been a very busy one. Me and Rachel went through all her emails- there are loads! I had a phone induction and got to answer the phone a couple of times throughout the day one of the phone calls being my form tutor which was very funy as I was not expecting him to call which unfortunatly sent me into a very inprofesional giggle fit- oh dear hopefully that wont happen again!
I also wrote my first blog earlier today about my first day yesterday therefore I am writing a blog about writing a blog (hope that isn't too confussing).
I also did lots more admin work today and did some amendment to the daterbase. Myself and Rachel had a go at photocopying after several failed but funny tries to get the photocopier to work doublesided even though Jenna had shown us how to work it yesterday luckily we did finally get it to work. Mr.Westcott my form tutor came into visit me although he is a maths teacher I think he really enjoys talking about the dance world and not just the admin side of things. Overall today has been another very interesting day and I have learnt even more about behind the scenes of Blue Eyed Soul.

Charlotte Evans - Work experience

My first day of work experience at Blue Eyed Soul

My name is Charlotte Evans i am 15 years of age and this is how my first day of work experience at Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company went. When I first arrived at Blue Eyed Soul I was introduced to the members of staff who work within the company by Rachel Liggitt as I had previously met with her before my fist day of work experience. All members of staff were very friendly and helpfull which gave me a boost of confidence with working along side then as to start with I was a bit nervous. Rachel Liggitt then gave me a tour around The Lantern where Blue Eyed Soul's office is based. I then started some admin work for the company as there is a lot of it. Rachel asked me if I wanted to sit in on a company meeting, I gained loads of usefull information about what goes into the company behind the scenes (lots of hard work and organisation). I then carried on with the admin work i had started. When i had finally finished Me and Rachel Liggitt went to a primary school where she led a small dance workshop for a few of the children there. All of the children were really sweet and creative I also enjoyed taking part in this workshop. It was a really good experience seeing how Rachel teaches and get the children involved with the dance.

Work Placement at Blue Eyed Soul

Slight change this time as it's not the usual Blogger here. My name's Aishling, I'm fifteen and over the past week I have been doing my work experience at Blue Eyed Soul.

I arrived at the Lantern on Monday morning feeling very excited but also slightly nervous and not knowing what to expect. I started off by making a complete fool of myself, trying to get through a door that I later learnt you needed a pass for! However a very nice woman, who I unfortunately never caught her name, showed me where to go.

Stood outside the office I quickly took in where I was and knocked on the door. I was welcomed in to a lovely environment. An office, admittedly smaller than I expected, with two smiling faces - Rachel Liggitt and Sarah Kennedy. On the drive up my Mum had said to me "Now remember, most places get the work experience person to make the tea so be prepared", but one of the first things said to me by Sarah was "Do you want a cuppa tea?". I felt privaledged!

My day started off with a brief introduction to the company and an explanation of how my week would run. I thought 'Well that sounds nice and simple'. That was before the huge task was put in to my hands...

I was to be in charge of their mail out to their Symposium in October. I looked at the pile of envolopes and thought 'Okay, maybe not so easy!' Little did I know this task would end up running throughout my week! I was also asked to input names onto the Company's extensive database, email parents about a dance club coming up and of course, the dreaded task for any work placement student... Answer the phone! At the end of the day we went out and put all the letters we had prepared so far in the post box. I went home feeling oddly satisfied.

I had been told that on Tuesday we were going to the Mac in Birmingham for what they called an "Ideas Tap". I really didn't know what to expect. The morning was spent preparing more letters for the mail out, and then at around 12:30 we set off for Birmingham. We arrived at the Mac which is a beautiful arts venue set in the middle of a park! I found and hearing from the disabled artists really interesting.

My next day of work was Friday, which is of course today! So far I've continued the mail out (this seems an endless task!) and done some work in the studio, preparing a lesson Rachel Liggitt will be delivering tomorrow to professional artists in Derby that I have very generously been offered to attend.

And now I'm doing this, wittering on about my week to you lovely people. So I'm going to go and do some work with Rachel for tomorrow. I must say this week has been fab! Thanks for reading.

Market Hall Comes Alive in Dance Performance

What a fantastic response we've had to the Contact group's performance at the Market Hall in Shrewsbury at the end of last month. Surprised stallholders and market hall customers were taken unawares by an inclusive dance performance that started with cake boards on the balcony and encompassed interactions with books, wool, packing crates and some unsuspecting shoppers.

Choreographer Miriam Keye said: “The performers, as always, were incredible and did a fabulous job! It reminded me of the absolute joy and power behind Community Dance performed at super high quality in a public space.”

For those who were there, and those who weren't, we've curated a gallery of images from a number of local photographers who were there on the day here on our website showing the group in rehearsal and at the Market Hall: Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company Gallery

Many thanks to Moya, Miriam, Sarah, Richard and Nigel for the photos. You can find a full set, and a gallery on our Flickr page: Market Hall Performance Set & Gallery

We also have some video filmed by Richard Benjamin, a snippet of which is here on our YouTube channel:
Performance Captured on Video on You Tube

We're editing all the snippets we have together and will post a final version up here as soon as we have it ready.

You can find out more about how the performance was developed by reading the previous blog post from Miriam here:Green Seen at Green Scene Blog Post

The media were very interested in the performance and we were delighted to be joined by Radio Shropshire and the Shropshire Star on the day. The story has also been covered by ArtSpider (Mencap).

Were were delighted to be able to deliver the performances thanks to funding from Shropshire Council’s Adult & Community Learning division, and were delighted to have opportunity to collaborate with Shrewsbury Market Hall and local businesses.

Although the company will be closing in March 2012 due to loss of Arts Council England funding, people wanting to get involved in dance opportunities can contact Education and Training Co-ordinator Rachel Liggitt who will deliver local work as a freelance artist.

Envision Dance Company perform at Culture Fest 2011- FILM!!!

Photos of the Contact Group's Market Hall performance

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wnbishop/sets/72157627257517764/

thanks to Mr Bishop for these absolutely gorgeous photos!!!!

ENVISION at Culture Fest; LiKE Youth Dance

Telford's Culture Fest 2011 was absolutely wonderful- so many brilliant activities for families to be involved in.... in that beautiful sunshine.... under the ominous sky.

On the Main Stage:

Envision performed their dance absolutely FANTASTICALLY and the crowd went wild....
watch this space for the video (will probably take a couple of weeks to upload)

In the Get Creative tent...

Money B had us all grooving

Each 20minute workshop was watched by huge crowds of festival goers. Each time Money choreographed a mini-performance and all the participants fully stepped up!!

I found watching the process very inspiring- it's so different to my approach and the energy was electric! I loved how the group each time began as strangers, and purely through moving together, left as friends.

Any opportunity to show off our new poses!!!........

market hall shrewsbury.... green seen at the green scene

It all started when Sarah at Gateway offered to support a Blue Eyed Soul Dance project......

........we said.........
........ Yes Please. Can the Contact Group dance in the Market Hall in Shrewsbury? It's lovely..... a really lovely vibrant space......

Many people spoke to each other, many people emailed, meetings were had and risk assessments written hoping to get the go ahead....

We got the go ahead.

So I got the train from Nottingham to Shrewsbury early one Friday morning to come and soak up the sights and sounds of Shrewsbury Market Hall.

I chatted with loads of stall holders and got inspired by their wares- cake stands from The Icing Tip, wool from the Card Stall, flowers from Lin, Beer from Matt.... no stay focused, LOL. I came back to Nottingham buzzing with excitement- these stall holders were even up for being part of the show! FUN FUN FUN!!!

Our first rehearsal- what shall we do with the books on Mike's book stall?

Day Two... and Rehearsal Two....

These aisles are perfect for a bit of crate choreography!


Day Three... and Rehearsal Three...

Let's do this with the books..... and the bench... and the trumpet!!!

Day Four.... and can you believe it.... IT'S PERFORMANCE DAY!!!!

These dancers in the Blue Eyed Soul Contact group are incredibly experienced as performers, they've even performed at Theatre Severn..... however, most of them had never performed in a public space- the skills this required are numerous, subtle and at the same time immensely complex. Negotiating the space with passersby, having to improvise their movements around the basic themes of each section to account for people or items being in their path, communicating with each other and the musician about when the next section begins, dealing with bumping into people they know, actually seeing the audience's faces up close!..... and all this whilst keeping within the structures of the choreography! They, as always, were absolutely incredible and did an absolutely fantabulous job! Their three performances literally made us soppy Blue Eyed Soulers cry with back of neck hair tingling all around.

.... So in the end....
.........this is what we did with the crates!!!





And here is our fantastic musician who created a specifically composed score that would allow for the fluidity of performing in a public space- Guitar, harmonica, trumpet.... even Bird Song played by the Bird Song cards sold at the Card stall.... were all incorporated into the musical score.

There will be video and more photos to follow once we have had a chance to collate them... for now, see local media coverage- Shropshire Star and BBC Radio Shropshire were both there.... and if you saw the performance- or danced in it... PLEASE PLEASE WRITE YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS POST!!!!

I love being a part of this, it's been said a million times, and that is because it is true, it reminded me of the absolute joy and power behind Community Dance performed at super high quality in a public space.... MAGIC.

Dance Marathon Online Game

There's a new online game been launched as part of Dancing for the Games.  Our Dance Transformations training programme is a part of this.

Play the Dance Marathon game

News Direct From the DanceXchange Studios

9 dancers recently recruited to Dance Transformations are currently emerged in some intensive choreographic work at the dx studios in Birmingham.  They are being choreographed by the 6 core artists on the programme.

The Dance Transformations social network on Ning is alive with blog posts from the artists as they explore new choreographic ideas this week.  Join up to find out more about the artists and the programme,  join in some of the debates and conversations and find out about the Symposium event on the 19th October.

The three year training programme is an artist led project working together to explore original choreographic ideas and processes in an inclusive context with mentor guidance.  It is  supporting a group of emerging disabled and non-disabled dance artists based in the West Midlands.

Merestone Residency continued.....

During the week there were many reminders of why I enjoy this work so much. There are the obvious reasons such as creating work from a simple idea and watching the end result performed infront of you on the final day. A lovely thing happened on the final day when one of the School Governors was visiting for a meeting.He sat down at the back of the hall whilst the group were going through their final rehearsal before performing to class mates and teachers. He congratulated the group on such a wonderful performance and announced that he was due to leave at that point to attend a meeting, he decided however to stay and watch the performance a second time as he was so impressed.I feel this was real praise to everyone involed throughout the week. I really hope that I can continue to carry out projects at Merestone in the future.

Merestone School Residency Evaluation

Drawing from previous residencies held at Merestone School, I entered into the week with enthusiasm and an expectation of being part of something really special. In addition i also felt very reflective due to the fact I would be co-leading on the project with Ray Jacobs.Ray was my mentor at Blue Eyed Soul in the early years.

The participants came from Merestone and Forset Oak Special School and Smithswood Secondary School housed next door to the other two schools.

We chose to follow the theme of the Olympic games and its values and ethos. Its funny how that ethos was present throughout the process with the integration aspect working smothly without it being made into a major issue. The level of understanding of what the group nedded from staff was amazing which in tern really helped Ray and I focuss on delivering enjoyable sessions, and creating a beautiful performance piece. I felt that this residency allowed me to explore creative ideas and get them across into the piece and I noticed a new confidence in myself throughout the week. This initially was a concern for me as the project was my first residency after being off Ill for 7 months.To say i felt a bit rusty was an understatement. However once inside the 'bubble' of the week things seemed to really flow for me.

Reflection on 'Ignite'

Ignite built upon the success of a pilot disabled artists’ training course run by Gloucestershire Dance in spring 2010. The 2011 programme took place in the inspiring, fully accessible rural setting of the National Star College, near Cheltenham and its continued development runs in tandem with Blue Eyed Soul’s own Dance Transformations programme.

Ignite included a 4-day course and a day of debate and sharing. Participants were able to choose a particular area of interest to follow in the Choreographic Labs: dance for camera, issue based work, or work for non-traditional spaces.  

Rachel Freeman led the work for non-traditional spaces lab with four emerging choreographers and eight dancers. The choreographers were supported in creating original material that was shown at the Seminar. Along side the aesthetic journey was an exercise in project management which the artists took on board with enthusiasm and growing understanding.  Gaps in knowledge were quickly identified and addressed by the team of artists, leaders, mentors and facilitators.
Perhaps the most fundamental lesson learnt was the need to reflect upon the process and product, to become a discerning artist, to make choices and assert your own creative vision. The inclusive dance sector has a times in been danger of settling into an all embracing, positive, supportive, come what may, cosy nest but Ignite ‘got real’ and in search of  artistic integrity pursued honest, constructive critical reflection.

The residency was intense, complex, invigorating and inspiring. Working with a broad range of artists and making very individual choices. Blue Eyed Soul Dance is looking to nurture the links between agencies, organisations and artists all committed to and passionate about inclusive dance and the professional development opportunities for disabled artists.

LIKE Youth Dance - Perform at Telford Culture Fest 23 July

LIKE Youth Dance, a set on Flickr.

Busy selecting more images for our gallery on the main website. If you would like to perform at Telford Culture Fest, the LIKE Youth Dance Envision Dance Group are holding workshops in Telford on Sundays.

Find out more here:
http://www.blueeyedsouldance.com/calendar-of-events/

Residency with Merstone, Forest Oak and Smithswood Schools

It was great to return to Merstone School for our fifth yearly residency, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.  We have been working with 24 energetic and creative young people working towards a sharing on Friday afternoon.  We followed the schools current theme of the Olympic games, exploring what they meant to us and how its values are echoed within the workshop environment.
The young people from the three schools have integrated excellently, sharing skills and supporting one another. During our lunch break we learnt to play dodge ball, and now keep a safe distance!
Areas that we have been focusing on with the group include: different qualities of physical contact, performance skills, moving with strength and confidence, and finding a good balance between play, exploration and focus.
We are looking forward to sharing our work on Friday and celebrating the achievements of all in the group.

Marc Brew Workshop

Last Wednesday I was invited to attend a workshop held at Birmingham's DanceXchange.  Run by Marc Brew. The day was run as part of the Dance Transformations Trainning Programme for emerging Choreographers.  I feel that Marc facilitated the day rally well.  He set up a very useful discussion about preparation for making work, shared some of his own work on DVD and led a really fun workshop in the afternoon.  I had meet Marc a few years ago on a CandoCo summer School and attended a class he did but hadn't realised until now what an amazing role model for emerging Disabled Choreographers he truly is.  I hope I can work with him again and gain some more valuable knowledge from him.

Ignite

Last weeks residency was intense, complex, invigorating and inspiring. Working with a broad range of artists and making very individual choices. Challenging a culture of well meant positiveness and indiscriminate acceptance to make discerning and specific decisions on the creative process.
Along side the aesthetic journey was an exercise in project management which the artists took on board with enthusiasm and growing understanding.

Leila, DJ, Louise and Lisa

Ignite your imagination

Day one of the Ignite residency, organised by Gloucestershire Dance and held at the National Star Centre. Dancers are brimming with energy, choreographers eager to explore. A shared sense of newness and openness. The accommodation will keep us grounded!

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Call for West Midlands Dancers

Dance Transformations is looking for 9 committed and vibrant dancers for a fantastic opportunity to perform works by emerging disabled and non-disabled choreographers.

Dance Transformations provides a unique programme which supports a group of emerging artists with a physical disability and/or sensory impairment and non-disabled dance artists to investigate dance making.

Recruited dancers will have the opportunity to work with two artists on the Dance Transformations programme in the beautiful DanceXchange studios, in Birmingham.

You will experience different approaches developed by disabled and non-disabled artists, and have the opportunity to perform to a wide audience at a symposium event at Coventry University attended by people from across the dance sector.

Want to get involved? Read more on our website http://www.blueeyedsouldance.com/dance-transformations/call-for-dancers/

Join in the conversation on our Dance Transformations social network: http://dancetransformations.ning.com/

Follow the hashtag on Twitter #DanceT.

Tea with the Queen

What a fun evening. Much shaking of hands, royal, talented and famous. Nice chandeliers and carpets and enough wealth to keep a whole national inclusive dance programme going for 20 years.

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The Company may close but the dance will continue…..

The staff and trustees of Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company have spent the past few weeks looking at the future of the Company’s work in light of the loss of secure funding from Arts Council England from 2012. Whilst acknowledging the restrictions this imposes, we view this as an opportunity for positive change.

Demand for inclusive dance work remains high, and we are really committed to continuing the work that has been so successful over the last 16 years.

Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company will continue to exist until March 2012.

Rachel Freeman, Rachel Liggitt and Sally Edwards will then continue delivering different aspects of the work as independent artists.

• Artistic Director Rachel Freeman will concentrate on aerial  dance and community performance.
• Rachel Liggitt will continue her focus on project based education and training work.
• Founder Company member Sally Edwards will continue delivering alongside both artists on a project basis.
• Company Manager Moya Malekin is taking this opportunity to relocate and develop her career.

We’d like to thank people for all their support and encouragement, and we look forward to working with you and our other many national and international partners in the coming years.

The Company may close but the dance will continue…..

Dance Transformations

Dance Transformations, a set on Flickr.

A brand new set of photographs from Dance Transformations, our three year training programme 2010-2012, supporting a group of emerging disabled and non-disabled dance artists based in the West Midlands.

This is an artist led project working together to explore original choreographic ideas and processes in an inclusive context with mentor guidance.

You find out more and join in the conversations by joining our social network, www.dancetransformations.ning.com