Merseyside Youth Dance News

African / Caribbean Youth Dance

MDI's African / Caribbean Youth Dance group is going from strength to strength this year with more public performances than ever and great attendance figures.  The group runs weekly at the MDI studios and is open to all aged 6 to 16.  The class is split into two age-groups to ensure they are taught at an appropriate skill level for their age / ability.  The group learn traditional and contemporary African and Caribbean dances and have the opportunity to choreograph some sections themselves.  This year MDI is running it's 4th African / Caribbean Summer School between the 23rd and 27th.  This is open to those attending the regular class and new participants again aged 6-16yrs.  This year MDI have linked up with the Liverpool Reads project who will be leading a workshop on the Benjamin Zephania book 'Refugee Boy'.  Participants will then have the opportunity to create a new piece of choreography inspired by this book and the issues it raises.  The week culminates in a performance at the Merseyside Caribbean Centre on July 29th the group will show the pieces they have worked on.  If we are successful with a funding bid currently in with LCVS then we will be able to develop this link and continue the work over the October half term, performing again during Black History Month.

Designs on the Future Dance. Music and Fashion Project

MDI have linked with the Nguzo Saba Centre in Preston to work on a year long Dance, Music and Design project.  Working with young people between 11 and 16 from both Merseyside and Preston the groups meet bi-weekly on home turf and come together once a month to dance as a larger group in Liverpool.  The participants are looking at tracing the history of today’s urban street fashion, music and dance to traditional African culture.  The dance group are focusing on traditional and contemporary African and Caribbean dance alongside today’s Reggae-Dancehall styles.  The group will be performing in Preston and Liverpool at the end of the year, the dance performance will be accompanied by a fashion show of new designs created by the participants. 

Greenhouse Project Dance Group

The Greenhouse Project dance group will perform at one of the special preview events for the opening of National Museums of Liverpool's 'International Slavery Museum' (21/22nd August 2007). The group's 15 minute dance piece will demonstrate the Elroy Josephs African Caribbean Jazz Technique which links choreography to both the history of slavery and a celebration of African Caribbean culture. This pioneering and unique approach to dance and history will take the audience members on a journey from slavery to the modern day. Elroy's archive will feature in the legacy section of the Slavery Museum.

The Greenhouse Project will be running a Summer School at the Alima Centre in Liverpool from 23rd July - 3rd August 2007. As part of a Commission for Racial Equality Project this work also involves participation in a History Trail and Attitudinal Survey. Workshops will draw upon different forms of cultural dance that are represented in Liverpool to create a celebration of diversity that will be performed in 'The Imaginary City' at Liverpool Children's Festival, William Brown Street, 3rd August 2007.

The Greenhouse Dance Group will alsobe performing at The Anthony Walker Festival, July 21st at Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool