The Engagement Programme that forms part of the second International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) has recently been granted the Inspire Mark – the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme.
The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Engagement Programme is made up of three IDFB strands, stimulated by the Olympic values of welcoming the world, inspiring and involving young people, and leaving a positive legacy. Through celebrating international excellence and opening a window on new worlds, the Engagement Programme aims to connect people with dance, motivate people to take part, raise aspirations and inspire local pride.
The first of the three strands, the Outspoken season of new performances from Arab artists, will celebrate some of the most exciting contemporary dance from countries such as Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Tunisia. A supporting programme of debates, post-show talks and film screenings will delve deeper into some of the issues surrounding the works.
Offering audiences a rare insight into the rich and varied dance scenes of North Africa and the Middle East, Outspoken is the first season of its kind in the UK; most pieces have never been seen before in this country.
The second strand is the Family Weekend – a series of performances and workshops specifically aimed at young children and their families. This weekend aims to engage and involve children in a captivating new world of dance and movement, providing positive experiences of dance and inspiring a new generation of dancers and audiences.
The third strand is Dancing the Waterways, a unique collaboration which will take dance into the heart of West Midlands communities via the region’s canals. For three weeks during the Festival, four dancers will travel on a canal barge, giving free performances and delivering dance workshops and creative residencies to school and community groups along the way. The young people taking part will be encouraged to give their feedback on Festival performances and to blog about their experiences of the project.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – three years out from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in IDFB’s Engagement Programme for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”
Paul Kaynes, West Midlands Creative Programmer said: “It is fantastic that so many elements of International Dance Festival Birmingham’s programme engage with young, new and diverse audiences and have been awarded the Inspire Mark which recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012, and in particular our People Dancing programme, we are working in partnership with IDFB to ensure we maximise the opportunities to involve people in extraordinary dance events across the region.”
Produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB 2010 will see over 70 performances from some of the world’s most outstanding companies and choreographers take place across Birmingham and the West Midlands. In addition to this, IDFB 2010 will host a number of free public participation events, enabling everyone to get involved.
The Festival will showcase over 25 companies from six continents, presenting a spectacular range of dance styles from ballet, ballroom and break-dancing to flamenco, contemporary and circus. It is one of the world’s largest dance festivals and is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands, and Birmingham City Council.
For more information on IDFB 2010 and the line-up, visit www.idfb.co.uk.