LDIF21 Online Conference – Creating Socially Engaged Art: Can Dance Change the World?

Livestreamed/Zoom

BSL Interpreted and Auto Captioned

Through dance, artists have brought to light untold issues and taboos, codified, developed and raised the profile of dance techniques from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora and engaged with audiences and their communities in innovative ways. This conference seeks to highlight the impact that Black communities in particular have made to the international dance ecology.

Contributors include:

Jeanette Bain-Burnett (UK) – director of participation at the Trussell Trust and Formerly Head of Community Engagement, she has supported the Mayor’s office in engaging with London’s diverse communities.  Jeanette’s background is as a senior leader and consultant focusing on culture, community engagement and equality and diversity. She has worked for a range of organisations including the Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD), Arts Council England, the BBC, Middlesex University and the University of East London.

Vivine Scarlett (Canada) – founder and executive director for dance Immersion, an organisation that presents, produces and supports dancers and dances of the African Diaspora located in Toronto, Canada.  For 27 years this organizations unique mandate and vision has provided Canadian and international dance artists with opportunities that have laid a foundation for continued growth and representation.  dance Immersion has hosted the IABD Conference and Festival twice, in 2007 and 2012.

Chanon Judson (USA)  – co-artistic director of Urban Bush Women and co-director of BOLD (Builders Organizers and Leaders through Dance), and choreographic director alongside Samantha Speis for UBW’s new evening-length work, “Hair and Other Stories,”

Greta Mendez (Trinidad /UK) – movement and theatre director, choreographer, performance art artist, drama coach, carnivalist and film maker. As a choreographer Greta has explored themes such as silence and sensuality, body politics and ageism, and shifting cultures.

Maya Taylor (USA) – choreographer and movement director based in Los Angeles and New Orleans. Maya’s work is visible in multiple creative and commercial domains, ranging from television and film to fashion and stage performance, whilst remaining unapologetic.

Marlène Myrtil (Martinique) – founder and choreographer of Cie Kaméléonite, Marlène uses somatic and therapeutic practices, introducing dance into hospitals and prisons, whilst her choreography exposes her profound view, poetry and political consideration of the Caribbean.

Wanjiru Kamuyu (Kenya/USA/France) – founder of the WKCollective, Wanjiru’s creates immersive, visceral experiences through the medium of contemporary dance.  Project-based works weave stories and express the universal experience.

Conference ticket includes:

• Online access to all the presentations.
• Digital Conference Pack
• Access to perks of Serendipity Connect Insider Membership* (discounts, Vanguard magazine and archive access).

£35 Conference Only Ticket

£70 Conference and A Year’s Subscription to Serendipity Connect Insider Membership

Creating Socially Engaged Art: Can Dance Change the World? is part of Let’s Dance International Frontiers (LDIF), an annual international dance festival produced by Serendipity.  The festival features performances, discussions, workshops and a conference exploring dance as a medium for positive change.

To leave your thoughts, reflections and favourite moments from Let’s Dance International Frontiers (LDIF) 2021 why not write a note in the LDIF 2021 Guestbook found here.

*Applies to £70 ticket only.

Image credit – Photographer Lucrecia Diaz – Dancer Brittany Williams
Image Description – A woman standing on one foot in mid pose wearing a multi-coloured jacket.