2008-2009 Dancefest Annual Report
Mar 28, 2016
2008-2009
Dancefest Annual Report
DancefestAnnualReport2008‐2009
Dancefest, The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN Company limited by guarantee no. 4177900 registered in England and Wales. Registered charity number 1092334
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Chair’s Report 2008 - 2009
This year Dancefest have continued to build on the vote of confidence given by the
Arts Council in 2007 through their enhanced funding commitment. This helped the
organisation to develop a long term and robust structure, including the consolidation
of a core dance worker team.
It would be impossible to reflect on the last year without a mention of the large site
specific project at Goodrich Castle. Forbidden was a resounding success and a
memorable occasion for all involved. It developed both audiences and dance
participation for Dancefest with sold out performances and over 775 young people
and children engaging in creative activities. In partnership with English Heritage, the
project illustrated the possibility of using dance to create a new connection with
heritage and heritage sites for both young people and audiences.
Such big moments sit alongside Dancefest’s ongoing commitment to
encouraging greater participation in dance across the community.
Throughout the year Dancefest have delivered a wide range of
innovative classes which continue to grow in participation, as well as reach, with the
expansion of the programme into new areas of both counties. This outreach work
continues to lead the way in inspiring an interest in dance and allow greater access
across the region.
The success over the last year illustrates the commitment and dedication of the
Dancefest staff. It is important to recognise how much time and energy they invest in
ensuring that the organisation continues to respond to new challenges and
opportunities. I would also like to give my thanks to my fellow Board members who
offer support and guidance to the organisation as it continues on its exciting journey.
Adele Cope
Chair
September 2009
DancefestAnnualReport2008‐2009
Dancefest, The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN Company limited by guarantee no. 4177900 registered in England and Wales. Registered charity number 1092334
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Manager’s Report
The success of Dancefest this year and every year relies on a team of talented,
hardworking people who share aims and values. In the frontline are the dance
workers whose skills and creativity inspire hundreds of people of all ages. Behind the
scenes are those of us who plan, administrate and market the programme. In some
cases people do both. Dancefest not only aims to develop the abilities of participants,
but also of its staff. 2008 – 2009 was the first year of increased funding from Arts
Council England, the major proportion of which has been used to address the
previous issues of understaffing. The benefits have been felt not only in increased
hours for existing workers, but the introduction of a new post, the Herefordshire
Dance Worker. Whilst the only full time job is that of the manager the strengthened
staffing has created opportunity for the county based dance workers to develop their
project management skills and take the lead in areas of particular interest.
Our administration and marketing officer has had the time to develop
the website, be the mentor for a regular volunteer who is soon to
become Dancefest’s first apprentice and continue to make our
administration more efficient. The much welcomed injection of funds from ACE has
enabled us better deliver.
And what an incredibly busy year it has been. The community
programme had around 36 weekly classes running over three terms,
most of which were well supported. DFY, Dancefest’s performance
group had 15 members (12 full and 3 apprentices), the group continue
to develop both creatively and choreographically and it’s great for Dancefest be able
to offer a progression route for its keenest dancers.
Being able to provide access to great classes is a key
aim for Dancefest and this year we started a pilot
scheme to launch a youth dance network. Working with
the teacher advisor for performing arts from
Worcestershire LEA we have worked with two
specialist dance teachers from Hagley RC Catholic
College and Evesham High School to start youth dance
groups in their localities. Working in this way enables Dancefest to widen access
whilst not placing a greater burden on its already very busy dance workers. Thanks
DancefestAnnualReport2008‐2009
Dancefest, The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN Company limited by guarantee no. 4177900 registered in England and Wales. Registered charity number 1092334
4
to a scheme run by Youth Dance England and DanceXchange Dancefest is now
hosting a Youth Dance Contact who will be working for the next two years to develop
a youth dance network in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Dancefest has delivered lots of projects during the year, some that it has initiated
some on behalf of other organisations. Highlights during the year;
• ‘Forbidden: a tale of love and war’ was a large scale site specific
performance project that took place, at Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire. The
major funding came as the result of a GfA grant from Arts Council England.
Using a similar format to that used in 2005 for Dreams and Ruin at Witley
Court the project was in partnership with English Heritage and brought
together a professional and community cast of 150 dancers. Dancefest issued
a tender for the artistic proposal which was gained by Helen Parlor who used
a true civil war story of lovers from opposing sides who took
refuge at Goodrich Castle as the starting point for the creation of
the performance. Six local high schools were involved in
residencies from which the performers were drawn, a community
group brought together children and young people from youth groups, primary
schools took part in a workshops that resulted in a field of flags, three heritage
and education days were open to local schools. Four
public and 1 schools performance took place
averaging 98% attendance. Despite the very difficult
English weather, only one performance was stopped
for 10 minutes and on the plus side we saw some
magnificently dramatic skies – perfect for the subject.
Evening performances were sponsored by the
University of Worcester, The Elmley Foundation and
the Market Towns Initiative; something that Dancefest
had not previously achieved and was very much the
result of our never failingly enthusiastic and persistent project manager. Other
funding came from the Heritage Lottery and Herefordshire Council.
DancefestAnnualReport2008‐2009
Dancefest, The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN Company limited by guarantee no. 4177900 registered in England and Wales. Registered charity number 1092334
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• Dear Heart was a small scale site specific performance created for the
Commandery in Worcester, a building dating from the thirteenth century, now
a museum. It was recently refurbished to provide the public with a glimpse of
the six most important phases in its life that included monastic hospital, civil
war headquarters, 19C college for the blind, Victorian home and 20C printing
works. Our aim was to bring the labyrinthine building to life, dancers took over
sections of the building and the audience were divided into groups to make a
timed journey. Dancers of all ages took part and created a winter celebration
for the building and for the audience.
• Jigsaw 09
Jigsaw is an integrated performance project that involves people of all ages
with and without learning disability. It has taken place biennially in Hereford
over many years, each time improving artistically and gaining
greater audience support. Working in partnership with the Music
Pool, Herefordshire’s music agency, six groups each worked
with a dance artist and composer to create new work on the theme
of the seasons. Local dance company Attitude, working with three disabled
performers created a series of linking films with Catcher Media, as well as
contributing a striking live piece. Two performances at The Courtyard Centre
for the Arts in Hereford were almost sold out and the audience reaction was
overwhelmingly positive.
For the first time a mini Jigsaw took place in Worcestershire, resulting in an
informal shared performance – this was the very positive beginning to the
project, taking place on a regular basis in the county.
Thanks must be given to our funders without whose support we would not be able to
do the work we do, many of whom have been mentioned already in this report.
Additionally, Worcestershire County Council who support the work of the
Worcestershire Dance Worker, Herefordshire Council who in 2008-2009 gave
funding towards Jigsaw, Worcester Muncipal Charities whose funding enables dance
clubs and mini movers groups to take place on local housing estates, The Elmley
DancefestAnnualReport2008‐2009
Dancefest, The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN Company limited by guarantee no. 4177900 registered in England and Wales. Registered charity number 1092334
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Foundation, who do so much for so many arts organisations and Worcester City
Council.
Dance is a great thing whether you do it or watch it. Dance provides healthy exercise,
teaches us about cultures from around the world, includes so many styles that there
is something for everyone, it can be challenging and provocative and it can be great
fun. It is a privilege to work with something that offers so much.
Rose Beeston
September 2009