“Attraversiamo”

The Italians have a phrase a which goes “Attraversiamo” which translates to "let's cross over", and boy was there plenty of that at this years Opera Estate –BMotion in Bassano del Grappa Italy.

For six days I attended the BMotion Dance Festival set within a delightful picturesque Italian backdrop of Bassano, hosted by Roberto Cassaroto. This festival brings a variety of artists from across Europe, to exchange, share, challenge, soak up all the creative juices and finally cross over in practices.

The days began with a 2-hour class taught by different guest teachers: Rachel Krische, Freddie Opoku Addaie and Rodrigo Sabarzo to name a few.

Pushed us to our limits, throughout the 38-degree heat to the point where most of us began to imagine how good that ice cream will taste at the end of class.

Everyday an open discussion was hosted by Peggy from the Netherlands, raising questions that challenged the panel of representatives from a variety of European cities including herself, as well as the audience. I absolutely enjoyed these sessions, it was great having time to reflect on questions brought to us, that both emerging and fully established artist found challenging to answer; for example:

• Many young artist are struggling to find their own authentic voice, how do producers and dance houses support them with this? Can we be sure the support they provide is the most beneficial?
• How do we find the next Pina Bausch?
• Is it necessary to find another?
• Is the responsibility of the artist even greater now, within this current financial situation that puts pressure on the arts?
  

A sharing of work in process presented by the participants, occupied my first afternoon in Bassano.

Choreoroam Europe is an international research project for choreographers. Its purpose is to build an international community of choreographers and stimulate the artist through dialogue, confrontation and interaction between the participants with outside their country.

It was nice to see how these people had came together for which had only been a week already, the amount the creative juices that where overflowing in Garage Nardini was interesting and exciting. Definitely some interesting and engaging ideas by Alessandro Sciarroni (EN), Janet Rodriquez (ES) and Pablo Esbert Lilienfeld (ES); keep your ears pinned back for future works by these artists, as it would defiantly be worth a look.

I must admit it has been quite a challenge to write about my time at BMotion this year, as it raised a big mix of thoughts and feelings within me that caught me off guard a little whilst away.

I guess I always thought, hypothetically speaking, that I am open minded and appreciative when it comes to experimental and boundary pushing work. However at least on a few occasions I left after seeing work, that I either was dying to see or just had been really recommended as a must see, leaving feeling either that I couldn’t read the work because it felt totally out there for me Or it just wasn’t to my taste

This feeling however bugged me, frustrated me and questioned me in reflection I guess that is what art is meant to do question us right?

It did play on my mind for quite some time after when I arrived back in the Nottingham. I guess it has encouraged me to reflect on the variety of work I feel that I have been seeing and to consider how broad this cross over of the contemporary performance, performance art, and when dance meets theatre is when place together in a dance programme. It is very tough to see such a varied amount of performance languages and expect to read them in the same way as each other and half them settle within you at the same time in the same way.

Finally once again I just want to share how Great Opera Estate –Bmotion week is, and giving us the chance to watching some thoughtful and intelligent performance in some of Bassano Del Grappa’s loveliest venues.

Dwayne Simms
studiofiftyfive.blogspot.com

‘We Have A Strategic Plan – It’s Called Doing Things.’

This simple, yet effective motto pinned to the wall in Dance4’s headquarters is one of the first things I noticed upon entering. Secondly, I saw the welcoming smiley faces of all the staff working there, who seemed genuinely pleased to meet me. As I quickly tested my memory trying to remember everyone’s name, I jumped to the intern’s most important task as ‘tea monkey’, making a conscious effort to associate faces, attire and position in the office, with how they would like their morning caffeine fix. However, worry not, as at Dance4 even the simplest of tasks is made easy – they have their very own tea chart, clearly indicating everyone’s name and tea/coffee preferences... Instantly at ease, I felt that a company which puts this much thought into a tea chart, clearly intends to appreciate and value all staff, leaving the ‘tea monkey’ role open to anybody... aside from Mr Russ of course who is naturally exempt!

I felt prepared and excited for an insightful two weeks with Dance4, working on their Autumn Dance season, but was still bowled over by their friendly embrace and willingness to include me in all parts of the process. A rare fate as interns are often seen and not heard! Yet this isn’t the case with Dance4 and I had a supportive mentor, Miss Sarah Maguire, who loves schedules almost as much as she loves Red Bush “caramel goodness” tea, and who made sure I was constantly updated, included and educated on Dance4’s production process.

Beginning with PME-ART ‘Hospitality 3: Individualism Was A Mistake’, I met some lively, creative and jet-lagged Canadians, who are touring their new eclectic piece of work. I particularly liked the start of their performance and the way they asked the audience some thought provoking questions which were incorporated into the piece via an arrangement of post-it notes... I also loved their use of the ‘Space’ at Nottingham Contemporary and felt that this was a nice juxtaposition with Guy Dartnell’s piece held there two days later. ‘Inward Out’, Dartnell’s most recent work, was what I believe he intended it to be, a spectacle of observation and personal interpretation. My initial scepticism quickly dissipated as I found my inner hippie very susceptible to the work and I felt challenged and intrigued by such a unique ‘performance’.

During the last two days I was in the very capable coffee fuelled hands of Claire Hicks, working on ‘Be Like Water’ by Hetain Patel. I got to witness another element to the production process assisting the get-in/get-out and documenting the performance day, a practical engagement I thoroughly enjoyed. Especially when rewarded with New Art Exchange’s tasty samosas!

It’s fair to say Dance4 comprises a great team of talented and visionary individuals and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with them.

Thanking you!

Emily Jenkins

U Dance Intern

Hi everyone

Just introducing myself. I'm Stacey, the new U Dance Intern and I will be organising and planning all things around U Dance. I hope you have all seen the applications to be part of our county, regional and National platforms. If not make sure you take a look, its a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work in front of other dancers and live audiences. Be sure to get your applications in quickly as the deadline is Monday 31st October.

Best Wishes

Stacey

A Year Later....

I recently took on a new job role as Administrator / Receptionist for the Conservatoire that I had graduated from 365 days ago.

I remember so clearly in the final weeks along with everybody else counting down the days to what was known as freedom. It feels that within a blink of an eye I am back but this time as a staff member and a public face of the school.

This opportunity came to my attention upon my temporary relocation back to the North. My working hours are in return for studio space while the students take a summer break. To be honest I am really enjoying the experience of having a few months learning and developing some administration skills and most important of all (which any established or emerging artist will appreciate) FREE studio space!

I have always had a lot of love for Yorkshire and my time here back up north has been rather nice actually: returning to daily classes again and finally having more creative time and space to develop work & generally just be inspired. How quickly my senses took me back to my first year in training and that daily new dancers concoction: finding my feet, my core and re-finding my seeing has all been missed by my internal system from what my bodies aches and pains are telling me. I wasn’t prepared for all of the soon-to-be-graduates in their last week of term asking me the dreaded question: "So what are you doing now?" Confused looks on their faces joined the obvious next question: 'Why are you here?'

Many questions, many reasons, many answers…

Then I realised that was me 362 days ago with 3 days until I was released into the big wide world of dance thinking, 'I am ready, right?'

Having travelled a lot since I graduated, performing, collaborating and making work for some commissioned pieces and (dare I even say it) enjoying life I then returned back home. I thought this would be pretty straight forward by getting a part-time job. 'I have a good a CV and I can multi-task and I have experience,' is what I was thinking. 'I will take a class and find some cheap studio space. This is Nottingham; it is well resourced with classes," ran through my mind also. Wow how wrong I was!

It was like real life jumped out of the floor and flashed me with reality so quickly once I had returned. Within 4 weeks I was in the queue pulling at my very first ticket and taking a seat at the job centre. That’s right I shall repeat it again I am not a shamed the "job centre" (I can finally insert a honest laugh at this point) but it did take me a year people.

I came across a discussion last week on TED Talks. I was watching some inspiring talk by a guy from the United States entitled “8 Rules to Success” when I came across the discussion further down on the page in which it was the title that first caught my eye 'How you do you balance pursuing your dreams with paying your bills? Or do you just go for broke?'

Graduate Training Programme 2011

Hello all,

The Graduate Training Programme has come to a close. The programme finished on a high as we performed at The Core, Corby Cube. The performance was a success and has received great feed back. Well done to all the artists that took part and thank to everyone who came to watch.

Check out Dance4's website to see the members of Dance4's Graduate Company along side a fun photograph of the group!

The Graduate Training Programme allowed ten emerging artists to work with Dance4's Associate Artist Robert Clark, explore and create their own work and learn about areas within the dance sector.

I am confident in saying that the two weeks have been life changing, enjoyable yet intense. From rehearsals with Robert Clark to improvising with a coat, the group have learnt news skills and formed many new relationships.

Over the six days research period, Robert Clark worked with the group to create a piece entitled ' A History of Private Moments'. The piece worked with a collage of images, still and moving, open to interpretation by the audience and exist to be read like a fast moving flick book. During the process the dancers formed four distinctive takes on privacy, its boundaries, content and their relation to it, utilising a group improvisation score as its base. The piece allowed the artists to work together and move as one.

We had a lot of fun and it was great to see a variety of personalties shining through.

Best Wishes

Natalie

Last day in the office before Dance4's GTP 2011

Hello to all readers,

Natalie here, I wanted to check in because I feel today is an important day. Today is my last day in the office before Dance4's Graduate Training Programme 2011 begins in Northampton.

Leading up to the project I have been working with another Dance4 member of staff to manage and produce the Graduate Training Programme 2011. I have enjoyed preparing and developing documents from the application selection forms to information packs, supporting the dancers attending the programme and making decisions on the smaller but as important details.

Leading up to the programme I have had the opportunity to go and view The Core at Corby Cube where the performance for the programme will take place on Friday 8 July. The event is entitled ' Springboard 2011' and I have been involved in varies areas in supporting staff in managing the event.

Other fun things include delving into Dance4's vintage wardrobe with both hands to sort through and send off a variety of t-shirts that Dance4 has collated over the years. I have also had a technical lesson that involved alot of cables and mics to create surround sound. The equipment is for the Graduate Training Programme 2011 and fingers crossed I can remember everything I was taught. Ha!

During the programme 11 other artists and I will be working with Dance4's Associate Artist Robert Clark to form Dance4's Graduate Company 2011. We will be performing in Springboard 2011 on the 8 July at The Core, Corby Cube.

Please visit the blog regularly to read updates on our progress (including all highs and lows) throughout the programme. Our schedule consists of practical and theoretical sessions, with a physio only a phone call away!

For any future interns out there, I definitely recommend applying for the internship here at Dance4. I am confident in saying that am starting to speak the language of the glorious Microsoft Word and Wordfly. I have had the opportunity to develop my administrative skills and I have really enjoyed working within the dance sector and being involved in the many exciting events, performances, courses, classes, opportunities that are happening here in the East Midlands.

An experience not to be missed. Watch this space...

Natalie - Intern

Opportunity for artists!

Dance4 are offering a lively and enthusiastic individual a voluntary opportunity! We are offering you the opportunity to be apart of the Dance4 team to present springboard 2011 at The Core at corby Cube. The position is voluntary however, we can cover expenses! (yayyyy!)

This is a brilliant opportunity to be involved in the running of the performance entitled Springboard 2011.

Springboard 2011 is a popular annual performance platform showcasing innovative new dance works and presenting up and coming dance artists. Providing the ideal environment for dance artists to create, experiment, and present new work, Springboard attracts many exciting performers and choreographers and promises to be an exhilarating evening of dance.

The roles at the moment would be covering filming/photography, FOH for the foyer piece, sound technician, and company call. The person covering sound would need to be there all day from about 10-11 am and the others could come a little later. Refreshments, biscuits and fruit will be provided but you will need to bring a packed lunch and or cash to buy lunch and dinner costs. We are encouraging people with full driving licence so that you can travel independently to and from the venue.

Please contact Dance4 today for more information.

Accommodation for GTP***

Accommodation for GTP***

Hello all GTP artists!!

Natalie here...wanted to check in with you all.

Are you finding accommodation okay in Northampton? The digs list is brilliant and very helpful or if you know of any other local places let us know!Are any of you driving to the programme?

Please contact me if you need any recommendations or assistance...Exciting times!

Post a comment below and share your thoughts with us all.

Thank you guys.

Dance4 Fb and Twitter

Keep up to date with Dance4 and be the first to hear whats going on!!

Dance4's GTP

Blogspot is now feeding through Twitter and Facebook. Add your comments to be heard in stereo!

Graduate Training Programme 2011

Blog No. 1...26.05.11

Hello all GTP artists!

As intern of Dance4 I wanted to introduce myself and say a huge Congratulations to all artist that have been accepted on to our Graduate Training Programme 2011!

This our Blog no. 1 of many. Very exciting!!

I hope that we can use the GTP blog to communicate with each other and ask any questions that you may have leading up to the programme. We will also have a blog during the programme in Northampton that we can all update and be apart of!

Please contribute...even if it is only to say hi!

Many Thanks

Natalie/ Intern.

Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson ) + ( = a0

I came out of this performance lecture feeling as if I had been massaged! Within 5 minutes of being in the intimate environment I could breath and feel my pulse throughout my body. With a busy lifestyle I can't remember the last time I genuinely relaxed and felt open to experience. Ursula and Anthony created a space that made you feel wrapped up in the performance despite being on the outside of it.

As with the projected backdrop of waves rippling into the shore I drifted in an out of the performance as an active and inactive audience member focussing into the words and movement but entranced by the light and projection.

A wonderful experience, sad to see such vibrant, knowledgeable and dedicated artists leave the space.

Good luck with the next leg...

Steph- Assistant Producer

International Exchange Programme Dance4 and Dance Ireland Presentation

International Exchange Programme Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson- Raffalt + Faulder- Mawson

) + ( = ao

Research Series: Silence and Activity 1-14 May 2011

With the residency at a close and the studio back to an open space awaiting artists to use the space creatively, I am going talk about the inspiring presentation that took place 12 May 2011 at Dance4.

During the Dance4 residency the artists focused on the EXPERIENCE of an art environment, with their main aim being 'to give, inspire and transform'.

And they certainly did...following on from the residency, a small audience was invited to an informal presentation to experience intimacy, direct contact, (self) reflection and dialogue.

The presentation lasted about 80 minutes long and took place in the Dance4 studio. From first walking into the studio is was clear to see that the artists were working on points in space, with focus on the shapes of a square and a circle. The artist also used lighting, projection of a video, sound, voice, grids made with tape, text cards and movement. All of these elements were used to create a presentation that offered elements of a performance, lecture and installation within the same presentation.

The artists quoted in a previous blog that their piece offered a 'dynamic power of silence'. As an audience member this became very clear. The piece aloud my mind to constantly question, discover and explore the points in space that the artists were using and traveling from. The use walking forwards and backwards in slow motion was brilliantly done. It allowed the eyes to focus on the in between spaces and the small details that maybe are not always obvious or made vulnerable for the audience to see.

I enjoyed the fact that the artists did not make eye contact throughout the piece and related to each other by strictly feeling and sensing the others presence. The artists eyes were closed at times which allowed this connection and relationship to appear even stronger.

The use of voice emphasised the strong connection between the two artists. I felt a sense of play within the words and the timing of each word spoken was crucial in order to work. The words spoken played a powerful part within the piece and allowed you to interpret them in your own way.

The energy within the piece made a huge impact on the audience which progressed through out the piece. An atmosphere was created and I left the room feeling inspired, calm and content.

It was lovely to have the opportunity to speak to the artist after the presentation and have insight into the creating of the piece as well as ideas that are to follow and be apart of the piece.

Where next?

Mawson- Raffalt + Faulder- Mawson ) + ( = ao will be in Schloss Broellin, Germany in June!

Definitely worth experiencing and being apart of.

Thank you for coming to Dance4 and bringing lots of lovely smells with you!

Natalie

International Exchange Program Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson

) + ( = a0

Research series: SILENCE + ACTIVITY

01-14 May 2011

By unfolding the “dynamic power of silence”, I feel as if seismographically drawn into the inner life of a polychrome landscape - exploring all human aspects of nature.....pushing boundaries to the point of suspending the moment .. breathing and holding the breath . opening and closing .. creating harmony and dissonance ... releasing and generating tension ... holding on ... letting go ... living ... dying...

This philosophical notion reflects the very foundation of existence and furthermore, reveals life’s poetic nature.

I understand dance as an abstract poetic language.

A language which allows a lot of space between its lines for the subjective.A language which does not trade narratives, but which rather communicates the possibility to experience complexity. A language that is firmly rooted in the deep and transcendental Experience of nature and silence.”

DANCE touches the sacred and embodies “a higher idea of being”. ) uM_R

We continued with building the space at the weekend and had 2 visitors who taught us something about sharing with nature .... 2 pigeons got in and when we shooshed them one found the way out again but the other hyperventilated and got into such a panic that it kept flying against the window so we decided to just let it be.........of course being a pigeon and not knowing any better it punished us by crapping everywhere at regular intervals.....after many hours wherein we could not do much except edit texts (which in itself proved very fruitful :) we asked Steph (of Dance4) how to get the door open and after a short time flying against the window the bird finally realised that the est way out was that huge one at the other end of the room _ having realised that it only took a further ten minutes to "sneak up" on it and slip through :) freedom it cried dropping one last load :)

but then at the end of the day

at the end of a veeeery long day

set 1 WEST NORTH WEST

..............................failed!!

image: video still from "it is the wave that cracks the wax" (theDock Carrick on Shannon) copyright mrplusfm

International Exchange Program Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson

) + ( = a0

Research series: SILENCE + ACTIVITY

01-14 May 2011

Informal showing

Thursday 12^th MAY @ 7pm

Choreographic Installation Artist, Writer, Director, Dance & Performance Artist

URSULA MAWSON-RAFFALT, and Painter, Light, Sound, Video and Media Artist ANTHONY J. FAULDER-MAWSON continue their research series "SILENCE + ACTIVITY",

a collaborative cross- & interdisciplinary project that investigates the border territory between the disciplines, explores spatial relationships and also experiments with blurring the boundaries between performance, exhibition and lecture.

Different manifestations will take place between January and July 2011 in a series of European residency locations setting in motion a multitude of possibilities, variations, events and contexts.

During the Dance4 residency the artists will focus on the EXPERIENCE of an Art Environment, aiming “to give, inspire and transform”. Their research will continue with the development of their innovative, flexible, sustainable and economic model for research, production and presentation defining shifting modes of operation for interdisciplinary work.

Whilst working in the Dance4 studio, using their technical facilities and sharing the working space, the artists will concentrate on completing a processed cycle of work. In accordance with their multi layered and interwoven activities they will prepare, write, train, rehearse, build up and finally install a “sacred environment” in which the creative forces can flow freely.

A small audience will be invited to an informal presentation to experience intimacy, direct contact, (self) reflection and dialogue.

Through a process of abstract and complex thinking with the emphasis on transcending artistic boundaries the artists will pose critical questions about the function of the arts in the 21st Century and its artistic/contextual/economic challenges.

For example:

1) How can we contribute to a wider understanding of dance or painting and the making of art?

2) How can we refer to choreography as an artistic platform that can embrace different artistic backgrounds welcoming the challenge of multi disciplinary thinking along with a contextual exploration of new and innovative approaches to choreographic practice?

3) How can we open up to a critical dialogue which seeks to redefine (in the broadest terms) both choreography and painting as creative disciplines that are fully capable of reflecting the specific needs of the 21st century and which can be instrumental in promoting the further development of ephemeral works such as live performance art or light works?

4) How can we establish a level of understanding that can embrace free thinking and that can help make the work more accessible through a creative dialogue with the audience?

5) How can we engage the audience in the experience of familiarising the unfamiliar?

6) How can we create a flexible, creatively innovative and economic model for research, production and presentation?

7) How can we help to secure the future of experimental and innovative art?

Our INTENTION, therefore, is:

1. To physically explore and relate a new to the progression of multi dimensional and multi contextual works as a response to a new type of work and a new way of working which:

- although sometimes difficult to categorize is nonetheless important to the evolution of art and art-making

- is better equipped to deal with the specific needs of the 21st century

- can share the aesthetic of a profound, sustainable, economic, integral and philosophic identity.

2. To observe the shifting moods of an avant-garde work in meeting the challenge of assimilating the needs of new contexts

3. to explore a wider understanding of the inter/cross disciplinary approach guided by the principle that “interdisciplinarity” is “a defining characteristic of contemporary art practice” and “a necessary prerequisite for those artists who will shape the future of creative practice” (Wikipedia)

) + ( = a0 Research series /residency locations 2011:

February : Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Ire

March: Brunel University School of Arts, West London

April: Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Ire

May: Dance4, Nottingham, UK

June: Schloss Broellin, Germany

July: Chapter, Cardiff, UK/Wales

The research series is made possible through the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland, the Drama Department /Brunel School of Arts London, Dance4, Dance Ireland, Schloss Broellin e.V., Chapter Arts Centre and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

the image: a still from the Cardiff variation of "ephemeral silence or the universe of D.A.N.T.E." copyright ) + ( = aO

and then finally...........................................

at the end of the day

at the very end of a very long day

set 1 north north east

...........................failed

but getting closer now..............................................................

) + ( = aO mawson-raffalt + faulder-mawson residency

day three: we have had the most constructive of days and have found our way round to a degree....

.........the thoughts form and the words multiply and then ...........................

at the end of the day

at the very end of a very long day

set 1 north north west.............................failed

we get so far and then the confusion sets in, one or the other will take the lead and take that wrong turning and then the other will take over, backtrack, and continue on........................

it is such a luxury to have continuous access to the workspace and to be free to just work that sometimes it is tempting to just "sit and think"

this image is a still from "ephemeral silence or the universe of D.A.N.T.E"

from the Danish variation performed in Kulturhus Aarhus.

) + ( = aO mawson-raffalt + faulder-mawson residency

day one _ (but don't get to expect this to happen every day :)

cracked getting from the digs to the space! _ but not the return journey

.............at the end of the day

at the end of a very long day

set 1 north west............................ failed

or fourteen ways of getting lost between dance four and "the park"

day two _

an excellent day preparing the room and training and working on new

material both written and movement......................then

.........................at the end of the day

at the end of a veeeery long day

set 2 north east.................... failed

the image is a video still from a performance of "triptych_it is time that prints on wax"

at the international theatre festival in Sibiu, Romania,

with thanks to the Arts Council of Ireland and Culture Ireland

a small p.s. here are some other links that lead to information about us :

http://www.mrplusfm.net

http://mrplusfm.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/mrplusfm/

http://www.dance-tech.net/profile/mawsonraffaltfauldermawson/

Internship May 2011: CAT Easter Intensive 2011 and so much more...

CAT Easter Intensive 2011 and so much more...

Through the eyes of your new intern...

Hello all!

As official intern of Dance4 as of April 2011 and I am very happy to voice my experience of Dance4 so far!

I am in my second week and am apart of the Dance4 team to 'share the love' for contemporary dance. Within my first week I have had the opportunity to watch work from students working with artists Gary Clark and Elaina as apart of the CAT Easter Intensive Programme held at Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham.

I was very impressed by the commitment shown from each student and while the sun lifted everyones spirits, it did not distract. Is was great to see students working together and using contact with other students at such a young age.

The students worked within two groups and produced a piece of work to present at the end of the programme. Gary Clarke's dancers used the artist Jackson Pollock as inspiration while Elena Zaino used a language of gestures as inspiration for her movement.

Having come into the showing as an outsider, it was clear to see the process that each choreographer and individual had been through as each piece progressed. Both performances were strong in the way that the dancers worked together and in the complexity of the movements produced. From brightly coloured wigs to using your voice within the piece both pieces pushed the boundaries of contemporary dance. It was lovely to see how much the students enjoyed the programme as well.

The programme proved to be a huge success and everyone left for Easter on a high!

Back in the office I am really enjoying working within a creative environment and am working hard on the Graduate Training Programme that is happening in Northampton on the 27th June.

The Graduate Training Programme is a definite must for artists and is going to brilliant! We are going to be working with Robert Clarke and you would not want to miss it. Follow the link to find out more:

http://www.dance4.co.uk/about-us/jobs/graduate-training-programme-2011/

Random pic...Can you imagine if this was true? See the picture below form the Tate Modern.

Howdy for now,

Natalie Duffield-Moore

Nottdance2011: Checking in… and out!

Hey guys, I’m Katie… probably the one and only Intern in Dance4’s history to not drink tea!

So… now the festival has been and gone here are just some of my first experiences, thoughts and reflections of the past 10 incredible weeks I have had here at Dance4.

First Day: Was quite daunting… Meeting the team, being given my own desk and to then discover that I would actually be managing my own projects, not just assisting! Looking back however I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The experience I have gained from being given the opportunity to get stuck in, use my own initiative and develop my skills has been invaluable, and from this insight I can gladly confirm that working in this field is something I could happily do for a long time to come.

First Month: Bumping in to the Youth Strategy Manager and the Artistic Director of the company on a night out in Nottingham in your first few weeks probably isn’t the recommended way to make your first impressions! However it was reassuring to know that the team all party too! &Everyone does leave the office to let their hair down, no matter how much the work is piling on! It has also been fantastic to have Radojka and Ben here in the same position, so we were all thrown in together and experiencing the same responsibilities and stresses (not that we were ever stressed, obviously!).

First Nottdance Event: The Launch Party. Some top quality entertainment went down at Antenna from swing band Benny Lee and The Whistle Stop Five accompanied by a swing dance demo from Hayley Guest and Terry Hallett, which after a few ‘Nottdance Cocktails’ got everyone up exhibiting their best lindy-hopping moves on the dance floor!

Behind the scenes...

• Confirming a venue
• Listening to numerous band demos to find someone to fit the bill!
• Hardcore negotiating skills to stick to the budget
• By far the most strenuous job of them all… sampling Champagne, Cocktails and Canapés in preparation for the evening… somebody had to go and make the difficult decision!
• Being reversed down the steps outside the Dance4 Office by a taxi driver with a car full of equipment after the launch party was definitely an experience too!
• One event down… 3 to go!

Glorious, Rajni Shah Projects: A simply inspiring performance from Rajni and her team, as their sumptuous new musical ‘Glorious’ took to the stage at The Nottingham Arts Theatre, Involving 12 local performers and musicians who in just days committed to performing in the project and assisted in making it the success it was.

Behind the scenes...

• Finding Musicians!
• Transporting the team to Nottingham
• Creating awareness, promoting and advertising the interventions happening in The Meadows, set to aid Rajni and team to scout the perfect performers to get involved in the show!
• Arranging a preview… of the preview of Glorious! At The Walk for Light Night
• Liaising with the most encouraging and Glorious team of artists, Rajni, Helena, Suzie, Karen and Lucille, to bring this show to Nottingham!

Street Martial: An open public event within The Broadmarsh Shopping Centre including performances from Ali Fekih, CDO Capoeira, Fresh 101: Sleaford Boys, Leicester Parkour and Paul Russ himself with the new ‘Spirit Dance’ set to take over Nottingham!

Behind the scenes...

• Enquiring with body-builders about the possibility of hiring a Boxing Ring
• Confirming acts and groups to perform
• Compiling risk assessments and contracts
• Transporting equipment and (trying my very hardest to be useful) setting-up the performance space!

The Closing Party: Having not overspent on the Launch Party (Wheeeeey!) …this permitted the Closing Party (Wooooop!). An evening of merriment occurred in La Gitane in which the Dance4 team, artistes &friends (minus Claire who was greatly missed!) partied in to the early hours to celebrate and bid farewell to Nottdance 2011!

Behind the scenes...

• Eating the delicious Mediterranean style buffet
• Drinking wine and definitely not ordering Jager-cokes with Radojka and Ben on ‘Paul’s tab’ (Definitely Ben’s idea Paul!)
• Throwing some shapes on the dance floor whilst admiring the shapes being thrown by others!
• Wrapping up the festival and beginning this blog with a slightly sore head the next day!

In my time here at Dance4 and over the festival I have met some truly genuine, talented artistes, and being able to help them out and make sure their work takes to the stage has been an absolute pleasure! As a result of everyone’s hard work I also had the opportunity to see some fantastic performances across the festival, which have just been inspiring!

I would be here all day listing the fantastic times I have had, therefore I will stop there! Keep checking the website to hear further blogs and to keep up-to-date with the latest and greatest events Dance4 have to offer across Nottingham and the East Midlands, and as I thank the Dance4 team for this amazing opportunity, I bid farewell… for now!

Katie Shipp

Nottdance Intern 2011