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