Leicester based arts charity Serendipity, are thrilled to announce the programme for the forthcoming Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2017.
The programme launches on 29 April 2017 marking International Dance Day, linking Leicester with global celebrations, followed by two weeks of performances, workshops and discussions aimed at bringing everyone together to access, participate and relish in dance.
The LDIF17 launch sees Urban Bush Women return to Leicester, led by the founder and visioning practitioner, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, who last fascinated Leicester audiences in 2016 with their captivating performance. This year they present their performance in the Victorian, elegant King’s Ballroom, exhibiting a special mixed bill inspired by jazz greats, including an excerpt from ‘Walking with Trane, Side B’ inspired by the musical life of composer and front-runner of jazz innovation, John Coltrane, with original music by Grammy award winning composer George Caldwell.
This compilation of performances celebrates both International Dance Day and the launch of LDIF17 in style, and also coincides with Ella Fitzgerald’s centenary on 25 April and International Jazz Day on 30 April. Individuals will also have the opportunity to work alongside UBW’s founder, Jawole, in a two-day intensive course with a series of practical masterclasses and discussion sessions that provide an insight into Jawole’s creative approach.
LDIF welcomes the innovational performance ensemble PHILADANCO (Philadelphia Dance Company) led by trailblazer founder Joan Myers Brown. In 2013, Joan was awarded National Medal of the Arts, the highest civic honour of the United States of America by President Barack Obama. She founded PHILADANCO out of a need for training and opportunities for African American dancers, the company merges dance styles including classical ballet, modern dance and preserves African American traditions. The company will present an exciting mixed bill of acclaimed work, including ‘Movement for 5’ a piece inspired by the events surrounding ‘The Central Park Five’, five young men falsely accused and imprisoned for 14 years. PHILADANCO’s variety of performances will be spread over the course of two days at the Curve.
Later in the LDIF programme, individuals will be able alongside this internationally acclaimed dance company, an opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain access to dance arts, to nurture artistic and performance skills and develop choreographic framework to grow both as individuals and dancers.
LDIF embraces the cosmopolitan and international nature of Leicester with a programme that brings diversity to the forefront in dance, and celebrates and supports the work of dancers from the emerging to the established. Taking place at venues across Leicester including Attenborough Arts Centre, Curve, Guildhall, King’s Ballroom at the Mercure Grand Hotel and Phoenix Cinema. LDIF17 launches on the 29 April and runs until 13 May. For the full programme please visit www.ldif.co.uk.
