Keep Moving Project 2024 – 2025
The Keep Moving Project is the next phase of our commitment to the Critical Mass project legacy.
We continue to strengthen the trust built with over 200 young people, generating learning and insight about inclusion, access and disability for the region and wider sectors, whilst engaging young people in high-quality culture and dance experiences.
History and Context
Critical Mass was a high-profile dance and movement project that engaged hundreds of young people aged 16-30, with and without disabilities, to come together to perform as a united dance group. The group performed at the Birmingham 2022 Festival opening weekend, the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium, and most recently at Festival 23 in Centenary Square in Birmingham City Centre.
You can also see the past activities of the Critical Mass Dance Collective on the Instagram page, @critical_massdc.
In 2024
FABRIC will support the region to continue offering inclusive regular activity to young people in their community, ensuring that the arts sector can sustainably offer inclusive dance for years to come, changing the perception of disability.
We will be working with existing and new partners to deliver a programme of inclusive opportunities across the region, throughout the 2024 year.
Please take a look below at the current activities taking part in the West Midlands. The page will be updated as new opportunities launch and become available. Locations we are currently supporting include: Birmingham, Black Country, Lichfield, Burton-on-Trent, Nuneaton and Shrewsbury.
Keep Moving is programmed & managed by FABRIC, delivered by community partners, and funded by the United by 22 Legacy Charity as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Enhancement Fund from West Midlands Combined Authority.
Where are Keep Moving sessions happening?
SiD - Darwin Dancers
Shropshire Inclusive Dance aims to ensure that young people with a wide spectrum of needs can contribute and benefit equally alongside their peers. It is hoped that our projects will continue to grow the region’s reputation further for great inclusive dance, encouraging more young people from diverse backgrounds, with varying needs, to participate in regular dance sessions
Darwin Dancers meet for a full day on a monthly basis and on bespoke performance projects. This includes:
- Guest artist workshops
- Summer camps
- Theatre trips & socials
- Creation of performance work
Darwin Dancers is aimed at young people aged 16-32. SiD also offer inclsuive classes called Highflyers for those aged 11-18, and have a professional company called Contact Dance Company.
Get in touch with Rachel Liggitt to find out more about the Darwin Dancers programme – rachelsidance@gmail.com
That! Dance Burton & Lichfield
That! Dance runs in both Burton & Lichfield, with two different groups. They deliver fun and friendly weekly dance classes that focus on developing confidence, creativity and performance skills. Each class contains a warm up, dance technique, choreography/creative tasks and a cooldown. They fuse contemporary dance with jazz and dance fitness and take inspiration from theatre in our work.
That! Dance often take part and deliver dance projects and performance opportunities, including creating films, performing at local events and festivals and undertaking skills development such as Arts Award. They also invite guest artists to do workshops and occasionally organise trips to the theatre to watch dance on stage.
Mondays | 5:30pm – 7pm | Burntwood Youth Centre, Lichfield
Tuesdays | 5pm – 6:30pm | Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton
The group is led by fantastic dance artists, Natalie Haslam and Catherine Clissett, and supported by talented support workers. The Lichfield group is also in partnership with Liberty Jamboree and the young adults they support day-to-day.
For more information, and to see what our groups get up to, follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @itsthatdance
LYNNEBEC
These sessions have ended as part of the Keep Moving project. Learn more about LYNNEBEC’s work by heading to their website.
LYNNEBEC is a multidisciplinary performance company making work for outdoor and unusual spaces (co-founded by Jessica Barber and Cat Butler). Using physical storytelling, dance and movement, they create interactive stories and adventures that are joyful and empowering.
LYNNEBEC are so excited to be a part of the ‘Keep Moving’ programme supported by FABRIC and the Commonwealth Games Legacy Trailblazer Programme.
From 23rd January-12March 2024, LYNNEBEC will explore their creative process with a new workshop series. These workshops will experiment with collaboration, creating choreography and devising; providing participants with their own toolkit for creativity, whilst exploring LYNNEBEC’s understanding of inclusive approaches to creating interactive performances.
LYNNEBEC’s workshop style is inclusive, fun, feel-good and empowering. You can expect games, dance and lots of time to play and experiment in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Led by Jessica Barber (dance artist and rehearsal lead for Critical Mass) and a super team of support artists.
This is a 8 week workshop series, with the aim of developing young people that are interested in exploring their own creativity and approach to making choreography/performances.
Tues 23rd January – Tues 12th March 2024 | 7:15 – 8:30pm | Studio 1, Level 5, FABRIC
Target Audience
These workshops are for young people between the ages of 18-30 who identify as disabled and non disabled, we encourage anyone who is interested in expanding their creative skills and working within LYNNEBEC’s unique creative process to get in touch.
If you want to know more about the company, head to their website Home | LYNNEBEC | Performance Company | Birmingham
Linden Dance Company
Linden Dance Company is an innovative professional dance company based in Birmingham, creating passionate and exciting new works. Directed by Christopher Radford and Sara Macqueen, the company champions positivity, individuality and free expression and blends positive physical and mental wellbeing training throughout all areas of its work.
As part of the legacy for their dance work UNBOXED and Limitless project, as well as Sara’s experience on Critical Mass as a Dance Leader, they will be launching a monthly health & wellbeing programme.
Saturdays/Sundays | 11am – 3pm | Central Birmingham (usually FABRIC or Nicholson Dance School)
This programme will focus on inclusive movement and creative sessions that promote healthy conversations, shared community and positive physical and mental wellbeing.
They will be led by Sara Macqueen alongside guest artists & speakers from a variety of different disciplines at each session delivering a part of the programme.
These sessions have been born out of the recognised gap of provision for young people that don’t always identify as disabled, but may have a long-term health condition, or mental health related conditions, who crave a safe space to be together and feel a sense of belonging.
Embody Dance - Tiger Feet
Tiger Feet sessions run in both Nuneaton and Bedworth, with two different groups. Tiger Feet specialise in dance classes for adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They create an inclusive space where adults with additional needs can embrace dance as a fulfilling hobby.
The classes seamlessly blend exercise with enjoyment, providing a unique avenue for fun and fitness. Conducted in a circle, the sessions facilitate group interaction, fostering a supportive environment filled with laughter.
Join us on a journey where every step is a celebration of inclusivity and joy.
Mondays | 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Embody Dance Studio, Weddington Terrace, Nuneaton, CV10 0AG
Tuesdays | 10am – 10:45am | Saunders Hall, Saunders Avenue, Bedworth, CV12 8RJ
Please note: Embody Dance Studio is located upstairs and is not wheelchair accessible. However, the class at Saunders Hall, Bedworth, has full step-free, disabled access.
How to sign up: Email admin@embodydance.co.uk or Contact Us through our website https://www.embodydance.co.uk/class/tiger-feet-adults-send/
For more information, and to see what our groups get up to, head to our website – https://www.embodydance.co.uk/
Black Country Dance Hub - Connection Dance
Connection Dance is an inclusive community dance group based in the Black Country, run by Black Country Dance Hub.
Originally created as part of Critical Mass 2022, Connection Dance became a legacy group who now meet weekly to be creative and work towards performances. They have performed at Black Country Dance Hub’s annual showcase, as a curtain raiser for Propel Dance and as part of Autin Dance Theatre’s Parade in 2023.
Tuesdays | 6:30pm – 8pm | Coneygre Community Centre, Burntwood, Sedgley Rd East, Tipton DY4 8UH
About Information
Each week the group work in creative contemporary dance led by Dance Artists Ruth Pugh & Julie Wright, exploring different styles, ideas, and situations through dance.
Interested in joining?
For further information about the group contact Maggie Lewis.
Email: maggie@blackcountrydance.com
Mobile:07719613487
Find out more about the group on their social platforms:
Dancefest - Masterclasses & Jigsaw
Masterclasses
As part of Keep Moving, Dancefest will be launching a series of Masterclasses with artists they admire and are inspired by. They’re inclusive workshops for every body and every mind.
When? From July 2024 – December 2024, monthly. Exact times and dates vary.
Where? Across Worcestershire, including Malvern & Hereford.
The first two Masterclasses have gone live – with incredible artists Rosemary Lee and Maiya Leeke. Click here to book
Follow on socials, check the website, or sign up for the Dancefest eflyer, to see when each are announced and booking opens. There are limited places and we think they’ll be popular!
Jigsaw Inclusive Classes
Dancefest offer weekly creative, inclusive dance class for disabled and non-disabled dancers.
Worcester: Tuesdays | 5:30-6:30pm | The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester, WR1 3QN
Hereford: Tuesdays | 2pm-3:30pm | The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR
To find out more and book, head to the Dancefest website here.
Belgrade Theatre
The Belgrade Theatre will be launching a monthly, in-person, programme of dance activity for young people aged 16+ facing barriers to dance within Coventry & Warwickshire. It is part of a new partnership with Belgrade Theatre, Moving Space Co and Hereward College. Mel Ahern will creatively deliver the sessions.
When? August 2024 – March 2025
The group will be made up of 10-15 young people, and will be open to anyone. The Belgrade will work closely with young people connected to core programmes at Belgrade, Open Theatre, and students from Baginton Fields School and Riverbank Academy (city–based SEN Schools).
The aim is for the group to become and inclusive performance HUB and sit within the Belgrades core HUB programme (currently 11-14 years 15-18 years and 50+).
More details coming soon…
Black Country Dance Hub - Funky Kids
‘Funky Kids’ is part of the Funky Kids Charity, which is a group that serve the needs of families who are affected by deafness or have hearing impairments in the Midlands and surrounding areas.
Black Country Dance Hub (BCDH) is working in partnership with the Funky Kids Charity, to provide regular dance opportunities through the Keep Moving programme, for D/deaf and hard of hearing young people, the siblings of D/deaf young people or those with D/deaf parents.
Wednesdays | 5pm – 6:30pm | The Church on the Corner, 1 King Charles Ave, Walsall
Who? This class is for anyone aged 5+, all the way to over 18s
About Information: The group will work primarily in urban/street dance styles lead by emerging deaf dance artist Kevaughan Laing & mentor Nikki Elsner-Gummery (BCDH), supported by a BSL interpreter. The group are currently creating a new collaborative dance work to be performed at Walsall Arena showcase ‘Reflections’ in November 2024
Interested in joining?
For further information about the group contact Maggie Lewis.
Email: maggie@blackcountrydance.com
Mobile:07719613487
Ascension Dance: JOURNEY
Ascension Dance is co-directed by Ashley Jordan and Ben Morley. They produce professional work, have a young & community programme as well as regular learning & outreah opportunities.
Through support from the Critical Mass Legacy fund from United by 2022, they have launched JOURNEY, an inclusive dance class for young people with additional needs aged 14-25 years.
Wednesdays | 6:30pm – 8pm | The Albany Theatre, Coventry, CV5 6JQ
Cost information
Spring 2024 – 5 sessions – No cost
Autumn / Winter 2024 – 10 sessions – Pilot fee
Spring 2025 – 10 sessions – Sustainable fee
How to join?
Head to Ascension Dance’s website and fill out a sign up form here
Email: ashley@ascensiondance.co.uk
