4th July 2023

School is out and the holidays are upon us!

But once the novelty has worn off, those long days can drag.

But our Suteminis from Dungannon were determined not to spend the summer on their phones getting bored.  Instead they had some great ideas to get creative and keep busy as you can see in this wonderful short film.   They clearly very much believe “Boredom doesn’t exist where creativity lives.” (Sanjo Jendayi)

Have a watch and be inspired!

24th June 2023

DU Dance (NI) is excited to announce to two new opportunities to join our small busy team:

We are seeking a CREATIVE PRODUCER

The successful applicant will work closely alongside the Company’s Arts Manager and Artistic Director with a focus on projects, programming and fundraising. Applicants should display excellent fundraising skills, an understanding of the contemporary arts scene, efficiency in delivering productions and the ability to work as part of a small busy team.

We are also seeking an ARTS MANAGER

The successful applicant will work closely alongside the Company’s Artistic Director and Creative Producer and will have responsibility for day-to-day operations and financial management. The ability to work as part of a small busy team and strong organisational skills are crucial. DU Dance operate using Xero Finance System so familiarity with this is desirable.

Both roles are part-time posts, covering on average 2.5 days per week – flexibility is essential to match the company’s working pattern.

Both roles will be based in our office –  1st Floor, Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast BT7 1NH.

These contracts are both funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

For an application pack for either role, including a full job specification and application form, please email info@dudanceni.com or telephone Mags on 07790 236130.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm, 19th July 2023.

Interviews for successful applicants will take place on 25th July 2023.

20th June 2023

Following the success of the Summer Dance Sessions last year, we are delighted to be back in Belfast and Dungannon for a fun filled week of dance.

In Dungannon the week of dance runs from 31st July – 4th August and will include learning different dance styles, creating your very own dances, a circus skills masterclass by Belfast’s professional circus company Circusful and a short sharing for parents at the end of the week.

It takes place at Square Box Theatre, Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House in Dungannon from 10am – 12.30pm every day.

The cost is £20 and it the week is open to everyone aged 7 to 11 years and no experience is necessary.

(The Summer Sessions are funded by BBC Children in Need.)

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In Belfast the ever popular Belfast Boys Summer Session, for boys aged 7 to 11 years, will take place from 7th – 11th August 2023 from 1:30-3:30pm in the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast BT7 1NH.

Places are limited and booked up very quickly last year, so don’t miss out!

For more information or to register your place on either week, please email info@dudanceni.com

19th June 2023

12th June 2023

To mark Refugee Week 2023 (19 – 25 June) please tune in to watch the ONLINE premiere of an important and poignant dance film made by our Dungannon-based youth engagement project, Sutemos.

The film entitled ‘Consequence’ is about how the climate crisis is a human crisis and the decisions we make about climate change have consequences for many people across the world. Flooding, poverty, droughts and much more impact people every day, forcing them to flee the safety of their homes bringing with them only what they can carry.

The reality is that by 2050 there could be 1.2 billion climate refugees.

Amelie, a dancer with Sutemos said:  “I really enjoyed this piece as it is an important story that is not discussed enough. We received an emotional response to our piece and this made me proud to represent the overlooked stories of those who have lived through the disastrous consequences of climate change. I hope that by increasing awareness we might be able to better support those effected.”

‘Consequence’ will be launched on our social media platforms at 7pm on 21st June and these beautiful images from Unanimous 2023 are just a taster of what to expect.

Photo credit: Jim Corr Photography

We are thrilled Belfast Boys have been selected to represent Northern Ireland at U.Dance National Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne in July.

And, as many of you know, we have been busy fundraising to help pay for flights, accommodation and meals for the five dancers and two support staff whilst they attend the event.   The level of support and people’s generosity so far has been absolutely incredible. Thank you all.

All our fundraising efforts are culminating in a family-friendly, fun evening of entertainment to which EVERYONE is invited.  So come along on Saturday 24 June 6pm – 8pm at Edge Coffee, 98-100 High Street, Holywood.

There is a £10 suggested entry fee and during the evening there will be free tea and BATCH coffee, a quiz, raffle and an opportunity to hear from the boys and their dance facilitator Sean on what they hope to do at U.Dance and what the opportunity means to them.

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Just some of the prizes to be won on the night include:

Vouchers for RETURN TO BALANCE (Holistic Therapy) massage of choice and reflexology treatment

£20 AMAZON gift card

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Wine

Voucher for handmade cake by Creative Cakes

Pamper box

Dundonald Icebowl Voucher

The MAC Theatre voucher (£40)

Wine & Cheese for two at OX CAVE, Belfast

Family voucher for paddle boarding with SUPHUB

Family ticket to Carrickfergus Castle and Dunluce Castle

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The venue is wheelchair accessible.  Speciality teas, coffee and buns will be available to purchase in the café throughout the event.  We can’t wait to see you there.

If you have any questions, please contact deborah@dudanceni.com.

6th June 2023

Our community dance artist training with the Gary Clarke Company in April really sparked the interest of Gavin Hewitt editor of Community Arts Partnership’s online arts sector magazine. An interview with Yorkshire-based Gary on the morning of their Belfast tour of ‘Wasteland’ at The MAC ensued.

Gary talked of how, during a previous tour to Belfast, Mags shared with him her passion for community participation and plans were put in place to come back and work with DU Dance.

Also featured in the online magazine are interviews with some very familiar faces; Sean O’Neill and Sheena Kelly and Brona Jackson who attended the workshops.  They share their personal journeys into dance facilitation, how they got involved with DU Dance and what difference the workshop will make to the way they work.  Grab a coffee, it’s a great read.

5th June 2023

Last week we spent two days in the company of almost 200 children who came along to our Primary School Dance Festival at Belvoir Studio Theatre.

Over the two mornings we travelled under the sea, on the Eurovision bandwagon and to ancient Egypt. We were moved by a piece about the environment crisis and uplifted by characters from Encanto, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Hairspray.

Feedback from teaching staff at the five schools who took part was incredibly positive.  Importantly they feel an event like this really sparks something in many that perhaps never would have thought of dancing before and helps show the children that hard work and practice really pays off.   For the DU Dance team it was really clear from the smiles and chatter how the children’s confidence was sky high after the festival and apparently it was all they talked about on the bus trip home!

The Festival provides a special opportunity for children to perform on stage in front of an audience  in a non-competitive environment.  It introduces children to the importance of dance and shows them how capable they are without any pressure

One P5 teacher said “Children were extremely proud of themselves and what they had achieved. They loved watching the other schools dance and perform.”

Sheena Kelly, Community Engagement Artist, has big plans for the festival next year:  “Year after year, this event demonstrates just how impactful this opportunity to dance and perform can be for young children, helping them grow in confidence, explore movement and practice teamwork.  We are hoping to extend the opportunity to more primary schools in Greater Belfast in 2024 and increase the number of school workshops DU Dance deliver in the run-up to support the children in creating their piece for the festival.”

If you would like to find out more about the Primary School Dance Festival please contact Sheena on sheena@dudanceni.com

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s festival.  Firstly, the professional dancers Sean O’Neill and Emily McDonagh who created a piece specially for the festival called “Solas” about friends exploring together using light to guide the way.  The audiences’ jaws dropped when a creature-like tent with torchlit eyes morphed into a display of acrobatic prowess by Emily and Sean.

Secondly, artist Lina from Misty Blue Craft who ran a really well-received workshop for the children with wonderful paper collages of dance poses surrounded by movement patterns.

Next, thank you to Marie O’Donoghue, Arts Educationalist, Education Authority Northern Ireland and DU Dance board member, who gave the closing words with  her usual warmth and encouragement to the children and handed out certificates.

Finally, thank you to funders Community Foundation NI and Halifax Foundation.

Day 1:

Day 2:

(Photography: Joe Fox)

25th May 2023

We are delighted to report that our Belfast Boys have been selected to perform at the U.Dance National Festival which takes place in Newcastle from 21-23 July.

Representing Northern Ireland, the six boys were selected at UNANIMOUS 2023 which acts as one of the U.Dance Regional Platforms held each spring across the United Kingdom.   The piece they performed there, and will showcase in Newcastle, is called Together.Real.Individuals.Brotherhood.Equals – an exploration of what it means to be a Tribe and how community and friends are key to helping every young adult strive for greatness and achieve their highest potential.  The piece was choreographed by Belfast Boys dance artist Sean O’Neill.

The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a special celebration of youth dance.  Groups perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information.  It is presented by One Dance UK in partnership with NYDC (England), Northern Stage, Dance City, Newcastle College and TIN Arts.

Have a look at this short film made by Arts Council of Northern Ireland featuring Sean and some of the Belfast Boys talking about the opportunity.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

We need your support raising funds to pay for flights, accommodation and meals for the five dancers and two staff whilst they attend the event. Make a Donation Here

Or to have a chat about how you provide any other support, please contact Morag on 028 9023 0877 or email info@dudanceni.com.

Belfast Boys performing T.R.I.B.E at Unanimous 2023

11th May 2023

Back in March, BBC NI Education and Arts Correspondent Robbie Meredith, reported on the Creative Schools project which DU Dance (NI) have been involved for the past few years.

In 2023 this project went intergenerational with a new group of Year 9s from Blessed Trinity in North Belfast and members of Newington Day Centre.

Have a look at this fantastic feature on the project and hear just why it meant so much to everyone involved.

Sean and Sheena who worked on the project, plus all the participants, will be attending the premiere of ‘Dancing Together’ the film they made with afternoon tea on June 14th at Blessed Trinity.

The Creative Schools project is delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Urban Villages and Education Authority.