Starting with the body - Alexandrina Hemsley

In this first of three special episodes with the cohort of the MA Dance Participation,Communities,Activism I discuss how dance can be part of the solution to the global and local issues we face with artists Anno Bolender based in Germany and Marilia Coelho from Brazil.

In this LAST episode of series three I had the pleasure of chatting to Stuart Waters about his work Queer Collisions, and how his neurodiversity informs his practice. We spoke about identity and tokenism and how to bring all of yourself to a rehearsal process as a performer or facilitator and how we need more cushions but not to get tooooo comfortable...

In this episode we discuss Taos' new work 'Brutal Syntax' commissioned as part of Meltdown festival - we explore the relationship between dance and language and I have a fan girl moment about their work with Christine and the Queens. They refuse the title of trailblazer as we find the words to talk about process and the materiality of bodies in their work... Taos performance explores the boundaries of popular culture and brings an eclectic mix of influences to the contemporary dance scene. Brutal Syntax premieres on 14th June and is not to be missed!

In this episode I talk with Cecilia Macfarlane about the roots and branches of her long career in the Community Dance sector and about what it takes to keep the fires burning, why she still performs and how gender differences have influenced progression in the young people she teaches. I also do some geeking with the book by my bedside currently which is called 'Dance your way home: A journey through the dance-floor' by Emma Warren. You can also check out the resource book created by Cecilia and Ruth - 'Any Age, Any Body, Any Dance' via the People Dancing website.

In the February edition I had the treat of speaking with two of my recent graduates from Falmouth University's Dance & Choreography course about thier life post graduation and working internationally, we discuss navigating social media as an artist and how to make friends with imposter syndrome. 

In this episode I talk with performer, choreographer, writer, dramaturg and facilitator Orrow Bell about transitions in life and work, queer politics, and how they are ready to show up for their trans siblings. In the past Bells' performance work has raised the issue of visibility for queer people - particularly those who identify as women and afab - in the contemporary dance sector and has done so with humour and generosity. As well as looking at Bells performance 'The Forecast' from 2019, we ask where are they now and discuss how to create spaces where empathy and learning can happen.  Bells voice is an important one for creatives from all disciplines. Listen up and show up!  As always, I am joined by recent Dance & Choreography graduate and dance teacher Luca Vaccari to digest some of the themes from the interview. There is no geek out this time but plenty of wonderful starting points for further research... 

In this episode I talk to choreographer, performer, director and psychotherapist Emilyn Claid on the eve of one her final performances of her recent solo work 'Untitled' which she developed in collaboration with choreographers Heidi Rustgaard and Florence Peake around the theme of transformation.  We talk about Emilyns role in UK dance history, about what letting go means in the context of dance and life, queerness from her perspective and how returning to performing after 22 years has felt like a homecoming.  Emilyn's book 'falling through dance and life' is a point of reference during this discussion for the physical and emotional work around 'falling' - my dance geek dream - and we touch on how death being the only trajectory brings a new sense of fullness to what she is doing. 

In this episode I chat to interdisciplinary artist Alexandrina Hemsley about their career in dance, how the starting point is always the body and how existing in white led dance spaces has given rise to alternative modes of making work. We discuss Afrofuturism and touch on how grief and loss impacted thier creative process on the recently released film-work 'The Fountain' which is a labour of love that uses visual effects, the metaphor of water and dance to explore Black lived experiences, and also draws on experiences of mental health and invisible disabilities. I am also joined by regular contributor Luca Vaccari live from a props cupboard in Frankfurt!  LINK TO FREE SCREENING OF THE FOUNTAIN ON WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER at 5pm: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-screening-and-qa-fountain-by-alexandrina-hemsley-yewande-103-tickets-444539207737

For the start of series three we are looking to the future in more ways than just dancing... talking with Dance and Movement Artist Claud Tonietto about thier work and recent practice exploring the idea of Queer Utopias (taken from the book by Jose Munoz) this is a fascinating exploration of the kind of worlds we want to create and the movement that might get us there. Also joined by my regular contributor Luca Vaccari to digest the interview from another perspective and a little bit of dance geekery thrown in for good measure.  See you in utopia! 

In the March episode I talk to choreographer and South Aisan Dance advocate Vidya Patel about her training in Khatak and since BBC young dancer how she is discovering her authentic practice, about what we mean when we say 'technique' and not living up to audience expectations. We also discuss how there is more to life than dance (say whaaaaat???)!  Vidya's dance artist network: https://www.danceartists.co.uk For Kathak classes with Sujata Banerjee, Vidya's teacher: https://www.sbdc-kathak.com The Book I refer to in this weeks 'Geek Out': India's Kathak Dance in Historical Perspective by Margaret E. Walker and Professor Keith Howard