Echo Echo Dance launch autumn participation programmeMedia Release
Echo Echo Dance launch new education programme from a new home
Northern Ireland's leading dance company and Derry based, Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is launching its new programme of classes, the first in its new premises on Bishop Street.
The professional dance company will offer weekly classes for all ages and abilities, from parent and toddler to adult and older people, starting the week beginning 10th October.
Echo Echo has taught thousands of participants in the past and encourages anyone interested in dance or movement to come along and join in- no matter what their experience or ability level.
The autumn programme includes courses for parent and toddlers, primary children, and teenagers. It also offers introductory classes for adults and classes in one of the company's key movement styles- Contact Improvisation.
Echo Echo will offer a few favourite events that have grown in popularity such as the ‘Dance Picnic', which can attract over 50 people.
A new addition to the programme this term will be meditation classes. These will be led by Bernadette Sheils and inspired by the late co-founder of Echo Echo, Ursula Laeubli.
Echo Echo Development Officer, Sarah Bryden said: "The company is keen to continue Ursula's legacy and meditation was an incredibly important part of her life, particularly in the past few years. The meditation classes will be gentle and ideal for anyone who is curious about the practice.
"The rest of the planned autumn programme has been designed to cater to all needs and interests, to encourage people to participate and celebrate the company's next phase now that it is based in the city centre again."
Echo Echo's courses fill up quickly so anyone interested in joining in is advised to book a place as soon as possible. Details are available by contacting the Echo Echo office on 028 7130 8883, email info@echoechodance.com or visit www.echoechodance.com
Supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City Council.
V.N.B update after 8 days of camping
Collaborator, Dan Shipsides has updated the Vertical. Nature. Base. blog with experiences, ideas and stunning photos of the adventures happening in Shroove and Port-a-Doris, Donegal.
Also, visit our facebook page for more updates.
If you are interested in getting involved this weekend (9th - 11th September) then email info@echoechodance.com for full briefing on location, activities and more.
Alternatively, the second phase of the project will be an installation opening on Saturday 24th September at 6pm in 13 Bishop Street. Click here for more information.
Vertical. Nature. Base. is funded by Legacy Trust UK's Connections programme in Northern Ireland.
Echo Echo and Dan Shipsides
Echo Echo Dance collaborate with artist Dan Shipsides for unique coastal arts project
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, known as Northern Ireland's leading Dance Company is collaborating with respected fine artist and Belfast-based climber Dan Shipsides for an unusual residential art project starting on the Donegal coast in September.
Vertical. Nature. Base. (or V.N.B.) will see Echo Echo's Artistic Director Steve Batts and Dan Shipsides set up camp at a beautiful cove near Shroove beach in County Donegal for two weeks. There they will explore climbing not just as a sport but also as a creative activity and how dance and movement relates to climbing and the landscape.
Echo Echo invites interested and intrepid people to join the camp for two weekends of public events at the cove starting 2nd September. These include discussions, film screenings, climbing, and movement investigation. Overnight camping is optional.
After the two-week residential, Steve and Dan will recreate the camp in Echo Echo's new premises in Bishop Street as an installation exhibition with performances.
The project is part of Echo Echo's Into Contact and is funded by Legacy Trust UK's Connections programme in Northern Ireland. Legacy Trust UK is an independent charity set up to help build a cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Connections is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Echo Echo collaborator and fine artist, Dan Shipsides said:
"It's really an experimental process to see what comes out of exploring crossovers and boundaries around dance, climbing, sport and art within a particular environment - neither of these fields have fixed boundaries and with all of them it's important to think of where they happen and what that location brings to the equation - so here it's important to experience an environment creatively and with the environment in many ways leading the activity."
Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK, said:
"The games are about more than just 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."
Vertical. Nature. Base. weekend events will take place on Friday 2nd- Sunday 4th and Friday 9th- Sunday 11th September followed by the exhibition opening on Saturday 24th September finishing on 1st October.
More info here.
Visit the project blog here.
If you'd like to participate, please contact us to be added to the interest list and be kept up to date with details - info@echoechodance.com or 028 7130 8883.
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