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CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY ON FRIDAY 29 APRIL
This year Oxford Dance Forum would like to invite all Oxford Dance Artists to share what they’re doing on International Dance Day, in the spirit of “A day in the life of a freelance dance artist”.
Whatever our activities on the day, let’s take to our favourite social media platform(s) and share snippets of our day.
Whether we’re dancing or doing admin, writing grant proposals or rehearsing, recuperating or teaching… Let’s raise awareness of all the activities that make up the life of an independent dance artist.
On the day, please use all the hashtags below, along with your own, of course (On Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc…)
#dayinthelife #freelancedance #oxforddanceforum #internationaldanceday
ODF CREATIVE LAB SAT 30 APRIL 3PM-5PM
Creative Lab is a self organising session by those who attend – Bring ideas to share and try out together in the space and have time for feedback/discussion or use this time to rehearse something you are working on.
Please email oxford.dance.forum@gmail.com to confirm your place as we will continue to limit numbers for safety and comfort. Remember to wear layers as we will keep the window/doors open for ventilation, so bring what you need to feel warm and a drink. SPACES STILL AVAILABLE TO JOIN!
We also ask/recommend if possible that you take a lateral flow test before attending and not to come if you have any covid symptoms or feel unwell. FREE to attend for members and by donation for non members.
ODF WEBSITE UPDATE AND NEWS
Ségolène Tarte has done some great work to update and revise the layout of the ODF website so it is easier to find information so please have a look around!
We have a new NEWS section here which includes posts previewing and reviewing ODF events.
We have also removed old profiles of those who are not currently paid members - please get in touch if you notice you're not there and think you should be! If you haven't yet renewed your membership for this year then please see the details below on how to renew.
ODF MEMBERSHIP
Reminder if you haven't renewed your membership yet please do it now, your fees help keep the organisation going and can be used as match funding in future funding bids for ODF activities.
The cost for 2022 is £20 for the year. Please fill out the new membership form if you haven't done so before. Email oxford.dance.forum@gmail.com to receive the ODF bank details for payment and if you have any questions. ODF MONTHLY EVENTS AT URC
The steering group would like to invite members to propose hosting/take over of montly events at URC. This is in recognition that the steering group is now very small and we want to encourage members to be more active in what activity is offered by ODF.
There will be a small budget on offer to do this and members can propose how the session (2 or 3 hours) would be used, eg invite a teacher, host a sharing, creative lab, open rehearsal - you decide). Get in touch to discuss your ideas/suggestions!
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So, from now until July:
any studio space that is available within 7 days will be available to Oxfordshire artists at the reduced rate.
What are the rules?
Enquiries must be made no more than 7 days before the date when you want space.
It's for rehearsal and professional development only.
If the offer is popular we may restrict how much space can be booked by each person or organisation.
How much?
It's £10 per hour, minimum 3 hours.
When?
This is available Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to whenever the venue closes.
We will trial this until the end of July.
Capacity: 20
Status of hirer: Professional, Oxfordshire artists
Use:
Rehearsal and professional development
This does not include:
- classes
- income-generating activity
- activity which involves members of the public.
If you're not sure, please get in touch to check.
Covid: Please wear a mask in the building outside of the studio.
You can choose whether to wear a mask in the studio during your session.
Please note OFS cannot take provisional bookings, please check the guidelines below before making your inquiry and be reasonable with your requests. ODF is not able to further subsidise this offer so you are responsible for paying OFS for the full amount of your hire when you book.
OTHER OFS BENEFITS FOR ODF MEMBERS
OFS have also agreed to offer full ODF members a £2 discount on tickets to dance shows where possible, there is already a 3 tier system at the venue to make tickets more affordable. We will send out details of the discount code when it's available or check with the box office when making a booking.
ODF members are now welcome to use the new community noticeboard which is next to the Box Office in the upper gallery to advertise classes/workshops/shows (they do not have to be taking place at the venue). Just ask the lovely staff at the box office to put your poster up!
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Sharing your events and news
If you are holding an event (workshop/performance etc) that would be relevant to the readers of this newsletter (advanced/professional dance artists) then please get in touch with details to be shared.
You can also join and post in the ODF Facebook group here:
or share with us via twitter or instagram and the ODF facebook CPD page
Oxford Dance Writers
Oxford Dance Writers is a blog hosted by Dr Susie Crow (Chair of the ODF Steering Group) where she and other guest writers review local and regional dance events.
ODW also writes previews forthcoming dance shows/talks etc so please do email Susie with details of your event including the company name, event title, content and performers as well as dates, times, venue, and ticket details about any forthcoming shows in reasonable time, so that she can post about it and if possible arrange a reviewer for your show!
ODW is always keen to provide opportunities for people to develop their skills
in writing about dance. If you would like to try writing about shows that you see,
or reflect on issues in dance today, please contact Susie who is happy to
provide advice and editorial support. ODW can usually provide complimentary tickets for reviewers.
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CPD WORKSHOPS, CLASSES & TRAINING
Independent Dance
Fantastic range of classes and workshops at the Siobhan Davies Studios in London in the coming months. See full listings here
London Contact Improvisation Jam; a fundraiser for Ukraine
Sat 21 May 12–6pm £10.00 – £100.00
Siobhan Davies Studios, London
London Contact Improvisation (LCI) and Independent Dance are organising a family-friendly Contact Improv Jam at Siobhan Davies Studios (SDS). This is a fundraising event for people suffering the terrible affects of war in and beyond Ukraine. More info and book here
Applications are open for MA/MFA Creative Practice: Dance Professional programme commencing September 2022
Delivered in partnership with Siobhan Davies Studios and Trinity Laban, the programme works with an expanded notion of dance in dialogue with wide artistic and cultural contexts. It embraces a diversity of forms and approaches to somatics, embodiment and dance, with guest artists of international renown leading practical and discursive sessions and seminars.
Financial support is available through the Leverhulme Arts Scholarships, find out more here There is also a virtual open evening on 12 May hosted by Trinity Laban.
The Place
Webinar Wednesdays for Professionals 2022 are back!
Wednesdays 18 May - 6 Jul, 2pm - 3pm
These FREE online webinars with guest artists focus on skills & questions that may be particularly resonant, practical & nourishing for your professional practice. Check out the programme
Motus Dance in Milton Keynes - Workshop with Schecter II for Vocational & Professional Dancers
14th May from 10:30am - 4:30pm The Venue MK - Cost: £25
email info@motusdance.co.uk to book!
Led by Chien-Ming Chang, rehearsal director for Hofesh Shechter Company’s apprentice company, Shechter II, this professional workshop will explore repertoire from Hofesh’s current Shechter II work, Contemporary Dance 2.0. Ahead of the performance of this very work at The Venue MK on 28th May, join us in this professional workshop and explore the insights into Hofesh’s fundamental movement principles and the themes of this work.
The day will comprise an in-depth warm up followed by Contemporary Dance 2.0 repertoire.
This workshop is open to a maximum of 25 dancers, teachers and dance students – anyone looking to enrich and deepen their practice or training. More info
Clarence Mews in Hackney
10 WEEK PROGRAMME is back - from 9 MAY - 17 JULY 2022
Online meetings and mentoring with option to schedule studio sessions
For performance makers/writers working in and across all creative contexts fiction, non fiction , poetry, film, theatre, choreography, music, performance
All artists on this programme have the options of using the studio at Clarence Mews. There is NO expectation that you will use studio space or have access to other studio space, artists have been working at home, outdoors or in other spaces
Applications are now open – click here for more details
SUMMER RESIDENCIES: 25 JULY – 11 SEPTEMBER 2022
For Independent Performance Makers – dance, music, theatre, circus, performance art, spoken word
6 days of personal studio time combined with virtual work-in-progress meetings and mentoring. The week culminates in a studio sharing (max 5 invited guests) combined with live-streamed or solely virtual event.
Apply as soon as possible and your requested dates will be prioritised. Click here for full details.
South East Dance - Artist Support
Join online/in person meet ups for mid career artists & help to design their new programme of artist support More info
Dancers' Career Development - EVOLVE London
Sunday 8th May, 10:30am-3:30pm at East London Dance - FREE
This is a chance to RECONNECT with your community, REFRAME your mindset, and INSPIRE one another. We know there may be feelings of anxiety and/or excitement. We want you to feel safe and supported to join us as we return to our first in-person EVOLVE Workshop of 2022. book here
Check Dancers' Career Development website for other events and support for dancers including retraining grants
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS in OXFORD
Rivers of Life - Monthly outdoor movement with Helen Edwards - Sunday 22 May 2.00pm - 4.00pm Headington Hill Park, Oxford
Movement and stillness in the flow of life in nature. Finding relaxation, pausing for moments of recognition, rhythm, seasonal change and landscape; inner and outer. Simple exploration of breath, body and free movement in this beautiful park, planted as an arboretum for Headington Hill Hall.
Email Helen for more information if you want to attend.
Cafe Reason
Café Reason offers regular open butoh classes and workshops. These sessions are suitable for all body types, ages, and levels of skill; no previous experience is necessary. There is a rotating pool of teachers, so that participants can benefit from different approaches to butoh training.
Open Class will run on Saturday 14 May, 28 May, 11 June, 25 June
Contact Ayala for more information and to book your place on any of the sessions.
Justice in Motion - IN.MOTION Movement Workshop
Sunday 8 May, 10 July 10am-5pm Cost £75 or £60 concessions
Open to all levels, the day is a balanced mix of dance, choreography, yoga and socialising in the relaxing surroundings of Wytham Village Hall.
Enjoy a yoga warm-up, dance class, choreography, myofascial release, a creative session and yoga nidra to cool down. Bring your own lunch and we’ll end the day with cake and hot drinks together.
Get rid of the stresses of life with a salve for the body and soul. Age range: Between ages 16 and 99. More information and booking
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK WITH TEACHERS DIRECTLY IF CLASSES BELOW ARE NOW IN PERSON OR ONLINE/HYBRID.
Bella Blythe is teaching early morning yoga at Fusion Arts check her website for more info www.bellablythe.co.uk
Vita Peach teaching new beginner Burlesque classes at the OFS
Joelle Pappas - Creative Contemporary Dance Class for Adults
With flow and breath, develop the dancer in you! Fridays 19.45 - 21.00 (UK time) at Iffley Church Hall in Oxford. Joëlle Pappas leads a mix of somatic explorations, improvisations, contemporary dance techniques and choreographic tasks. For more details about the class, please email Joëlle
Lunas Contemporary Dance - Contemporary classes on Weds eves at OFS Email: Ellie Aldegheri
Susie Crow weekly ballet online/in person classes for a range of levels. Email Susie for details
Ségolène Tarte several weekly ballet classes online and in person Dancing Convolutions
Tingting Yang offers classes in Chinese Dance online for adults and children
Thomas Page Dances Open Level Cunningham Class Mondays & Open level release class Fridays - Pay what you can. Email Thomas to book.
Confluence Collective Cafe/Marhaba and Meeting Points
These Oxford based mixed arts groups continue to meet and share virtually. Share a song, dance or poem or else just sit and listen and watch. You will have to be bring your own food and drink. See their facebook pages for more information CONFLUENCE CAFE/MARHABA and MEETING POINTS
Mini Professionals - new adult dance classes for all levels in North Oxford
See the website: https://www.mpdance.co.uk/adult-dance-classes and follow on Instagram: @mpda_plus
Vicky Rainbow - Offers Creative Dance for Wellbeing Courses in Abingdon "Feel Good in Your Body & Soul" http://www.soulshine.org.uk/soulshine-creative-dance/
Oxford Contact Dance - organising dance sessions (jams), classes and workshops. Dancers of all levels are welcome including beginners. For more info go to: www.contactdance.org or email contact@contactdance.org
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CALL OUTS & JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Oxford School of Drama - Associate Artist
The Oxford School of Drama Trust (OSD) is seeking to appoint an Associate Artist to join the School. This role is a new two year fixed term, freelance position for a current practitioner from any discipline in the performing arts and will offer students the experience of working closely with a practitioner as part of their journey to develop their creative voice.
Read more and apply here Deadline Sunday 1st May
Calling dance artists/teachers -
Calling dance artists/ teachers with experience of teaching dance to older people. Successful class in Banbury runs on Thursdays 2.30 - 3.30 seeks new teacher. Large room, low hire charges. Development opportunity for further classes. Please respond with expression of interest stating your experience to date.
Deadline: Tuesday 31 May
Please contact: Paula Bailey Community Services Partner- Arts
Cherwell District Council 01295 221729 paula.bailey@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
Christina Poulton - Online training for ACE Project Grant
If you’re planning to submit an ACE Project Grant and want some time to get your head round the new application process, this is for you. This "on demand" course includes:
- Key differences between the old and new application form
- What are the Let’s Create Outcomes and how do I show how my project contributes to them?
- What are the Investment Principles and how do they apply to my project?
You'll get instant access to videos, slides and resources once you purchase a ticket for the training. You can then access the training online whenever you want, as often as you want between now and 30 June 2022 book here Cost £25
Dance Services - service for freelancers:
Dance Services has launched! Designed to support freelancers and project based artists and companies Our one stop shop for all your dance business needs: tax returns; marketing; funding applications; mentoring; coaching; project management and more. Visit us at www.danceservices.co.uk
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FUNDING SOURCES
Oxford City Council
You can find useful grants advice, fundraising guidance and support list on Oxford City Council website
NEW - Oxford Community Impact Fund (OCIF)
This replaces all former funding programmes for communities including: Culture Fund, Green Neighbourhood Scheme, Youth Ambition Fund, Youth Ambition Holiday Activities Fund, Small Grants and Open Bidding. Find out more here
Round 1 has closed and Round 2 deadline is 17 June for small and medium grants of £1k - £5k. Individuals and organisations can apply.
Arts Council England
National Lottery Project Grants - This fund has reopened with new guidance and criteria. You can apply for £1k - £100k. If you are applying for £30,000 or under, you will receive a decision in 8 weeks. If you are applying for over £30,000 a decision will take 12 weeks. You should read the guidance documents on their website before applying.
Who can apply: Individual artists and practitioners, community and cultural organisations, museums and libraries.
What you can apply for: Arts, museums and libraries projects that engage people in England with creativity and culture. Key dates: National Lottery Project Grants is open all the time, there are no deadlines.
Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP)
The fund supports creative practitioners thinking of taking their practice to the next stage to research, have time to create new work, travel, training, develop ideas, network or find mentoring.
Funding activity: Research and development opportunities, building new networks, creating new work
Grant range: £2,000 - £10,000
Eligibility: Individual artists and/or creative practitioners. You can find full eligibility criteria in the guidance for applicants. Organisations cannot apply.
Applications for Round 13 have closed, Round 14 will open on 31 May 2022
Sign up here for monthly newsletter with the latest from the Arts Council and the arts and culture sector.
Sign up here for the Arts Council weekly Arts Jobs and News e-newsletter
South East Dance also offer 1-2-1 artist support and advisory sessions. Book here.
Sport England - Queen's Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund launched
Sport England have launched a new £5 million fund to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee that aims to use sport and physical activity to bring communities together and tackle inequalities.
Using money from the National Lottery, the fund will make awards of between £300 and £10,000 to community organisations in support of new projects providing opportunities to become more physically active. More information The £5 million pot is part of more than £22m of investment from the National Lottery in schemes across various sectors that'll celebrate Her Majesty's 70 years of service.
Dance Professionals Fund - The Dancers’ Hardship Fund
Who can apply: Professional dancers. Support given to freelance dancers across genres including ballet, contemporary, Black and Asian dance and hip hop including those with portfolio careers, e.g. choreography, who whose work would normally include employment in the subsidised dance sector. The emergency Arts Council support grants have now ended but you can still apply for support from the Dance Professionals Fund
The Fleabag Support Fund is closed, it will be open again on 1 May for five days. Please find more information Here
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LIVE EVENTS
Jasmin Vardimon 'Alice in VR Wonderland' at Swindon Designer Outlet
22nd April- 1st May Performance Times: Every 30 mins from 11am. book here
Alice in VR Wonderland’ is an immersive, adaptation of the timeless tale by Lewis Carroll which you are invited to experience. Using a VR headset and 3D sound, you will be immersed in a spectacular 360 degree virtually reality wonderland and feel up close with the talented performers in this magical, multi-sensory adventure.
Excessive Human Collective presents ‘Post Truth Whatever’
Fri 29 April 7.30pm at Swindon Dance book here
An interdisciplinary live dance theatre performance which challengesus to look at how we decipher fact from fiction in a post-truth world.
Where do our dreams go? An urban walk and performance art event
Sunday 1st May 12-5pm Port Meadow, Oxford
An event curated by LAPER focusing upon urban protest, precarity, precarious subjectivities, cultural geography, environmental humanities applied to artistic practices, or performance art. More info
Burrows & Fargion: Rewriting and Science Fiction
Thur 5 & Fri 6 May at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadlers Wells, London book here
Rewriting (2019) is an increasingly complex memorised choreography of cards, contrasted by a rambling love letter to the impossibility of choreographing, and accompanied by music played on a Casio keyboard. This is followed immediately by Science Fiction (2021), a loud, accumulative music performance for synthesisers and percussion, which will leave you wondering what might happen next.
Shades of Blue / Warrior QueensMatsena Productions / House of Absolute
Fri 6 & Sat 7 May at Sadlers Wells
Experience first-hand the next generation of leading UK choreographers in this double bill which touches on both a social movement and cultural heritage. book here
Resolution, the most anticipated event of The Place’s calendar returns!
7 May - 10 June at The Place, London
This year 66 artists across 22 nights showcase bite-size premiere performances at London’s boldest dance theatre. Each night upends perspectives of what choreography is and gives you a chance to experience anything from captivating contemporary dance and quirky puppetry, to bold hip hop and awe-inspiring contortionism. book here
Stav Meishar: The Escape Act: A Holocaust Memoir
Sat 7 May 8pm at The North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford book here
An extraordinary one-woman historical circus-theatre show based on the incredible life of Irene Danner, a Jewish acrobat who witnessed the rise of the Nazi Party as a teenager and survived the Holocaust hiding and performing at the German Althoff Circus.
Yorke Dance Project presents: Connecting to Cohan
Sat 14 May 7.30pm At The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury book here
Yorke Dance Project dancers are joined on film by guest artists from Martha Graham Dance Company and The Royal Ballet for an evening honouring the final works and enduring legacy of this eminent and much-loved artist.
Motus Dance in Milton Keynes host MAPDANCE
Thur 26 May at The Venue MK - book here
The University of Chichester’s performance company, mapdance 2022 brings together 14 dancers, three newly commissioned dance works plus a restaging of Robert Clark’s 2021 repertoire. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience dynamic, theatrical and beautifully crafted work by both established and emerging contemporary choreographers.
Motus Dance in Milton Keynes host SCHECTER II performing Contemporary Dance 2.0 Sat 28 May at The Venue MK - book here
Contemporary Dance 2.0 combines Shechter’s signature ensemble work with an eclectic sound-score of throbbing beats, pulsating hip hop, folk and Bach to bring club-like euphoria and abandon.
In a work that is dipped in ironic references to pop culture and making a playful take on Shechter’s own art form, in Contemporary Dance 2.0 only one thing is certain, the dancers do it their way. More info
Ballet Black - Double Bill: Black Sun & Say it Loud
Wed 1 June 7.30pm at Oxford Playhouse Book here
Black Sun by acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre) featuring an original score by Michael 'Mikey J' Asante (Boy Blue) is a work that draws energy from the sun and the moon giving rise to descendants of ancestors. These forces only meet to blacken, allowing us to draw from their powers as we prepare for life after life.
Say It Loud, is choreographed and directed by Ballet Black's Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho, a ballet created by Pancho and the BB Company artists that charts the struggles and inspiration behind the formation of this exciting and pioneering company, from the uncomfortable reasons behind the Company’s existence to the frenetic, creative energy that has seen them create an enviable repertoire and build a reputation as a necessary part of the British ballet industry.
DANSOX - *DAY OF DANCE: Transnational Conversations*
SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY JUNE 10th 10am- 7pm
Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, St Hilda's College, Oxford
Dansox is delighted to collaborate with The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities and TORCH Knowledge Exchange Network (PI: Rebecca Beasley, Oxford) on this TORCH Humanities and Cultural Programme event. Join us for an all-day symposium including live dance, scholarship, and discussion of what constitutes dance "avant-garde(s)" across nations in the 20th-21st centuries.
To register now for a place contact
susan.jones@ell.ox.ac.uk AND marcus.bell.ox.ac.uk
WATCH / LISTEN ONLINE
Brothers in Dance: Anthony & Kel Matsena - documentary on BBC i Player - Documentary - The uplifting story of Swansea-based Anthony and Kel Matsena, whose work is gaining them a growing reputation, putting them at the forefront of the next generation UK dance.
Dance Futures - podcast from Dr Ruth Pethybridge listen here
Greenwich Dance Talking Moves podcast - listen here
Digital Sadlers Wells Digital Stage - watch here
BBC I Player - watch new films commissioned for Dance Passion 2022
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