Open Arts Dance Development Day - 3rd FebEcho Echo Dance Theatre Company is delighted to host Open Arts next Wednesday 3rd February 2010. The following press release provides more information on the first Derry Dance Development Day of the Luminous Soul project...
Press Release from Open Arts
Belfast based arts and disability company Open Arts will host a Dance Development Day in Derry as part of Luminous Soul, a three year dance development project, funded by the Legacy Trust UK's Connections programme, on Wednesday 3rd February 2010.
The Derry workshop is part of the first stage of the Luminous Soul Dance Project and Open Arts are keen to hear from people interested in taking part. Devised by Open Arts as part of Connections, the programme has been set up to help build a cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
This new dance programme provides opportunities for disabled people from all around Northern Ireland to work with professional disabled tutors from across the UK.
Kate Ingram from Open Arts explained: "Through Luminous Soul we hope to identify and train disabled people who have real potential to dance in a professional company or to be dance teachers. This is the first time disabled people in Northern Ireland have been offered an opportunity of this sort. The inclusive Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company from Shropshire in England will facilitate our Derry- Londonderry dance development day."
Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company is an innovator of inclusive dance with disabled and non disabled artists and will be leading the Derry workshop.
Open Arts is one of six organisations to have received funding through Legacy Trust UK, managed by the Arts Council. The £1.78 million Connections programme will see a series of sport and arts linked events taking place across Northern Ireland over the course of the next three years.
Marion Clark de Monreal, Legacy Trust UK Programme Co-ordinator, commented: "The Luminous Soul programme focuses on developing aspirations and achieving excellence in the medium of dance. This exciting programme encourages disabled people to build their dance skills, helping them achieve their full artistic potential."
Dugald Mackie, Chair of the Legacy Trust, said: "The Games are about more than sport. They are a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of people across the world. We believe that these projects will inspire and encourage people throughout Northern Ireland to get involved and will leave a lasting legacy for the region."
How to get involved: To launch the first step in Derry's involvement with Luminous Soul, Open Arts is hosting a dance development day on Wednesday the 3rd of February at the Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, Waterside Theatre, Glendermott Rd, Derry- Londonderry.
Further dance days and a residential course will follow around the region.
For more information about Dance Development Days and for Registration Forms go to www.openarts.net and look for Luminous Soul Dance Project.
