Dancefest Annual Report 2008-2009

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



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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



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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.



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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



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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

Documents

Dancefest Annual Report 2008-2009