For details call Shropshire Disability Consortium: 01743 440 972 / Hinicom: 01743 444

DASH! returns in '98 with an exciting programme of events to tempt you out on

those chilly October nights!

We've got everything from exhibitions, to music, to dance, to theatre and of course... the opportunity to have 'hands on' experience by attending any of the 7 workshops on offer during the Festival! There's something to suit every taste - so there's no excuse not to get out there and have a great time! You will find full details in the pages of this programme... so have a look through, make your choice and book it up as soon as you can!

The last two DASH Festivals have showcased the talents of local Shropshire and Wrekin based artists and performers, combining their innovations with those of artists at the cutting edge of disability arts, both nationally and internationally. This year we welcome back to the Festival some of those artists with their

exciting latest works, and introduce the county to a new wealth of talent previously undiscovered by DASH! So! Whatever else you're planning to do this Autumn, keep the DASH! dates free! (Friday 16th October -Sunday 25th October). If you haven't been before, this is your chance to see what you've been missing, and if you have you'll understand where these quotes are coming from:

"vary powerful, totally enthralling"

"highly professional, superbly musical and extraordinarily entertaining"

"What a brilliant Idea! Isn't this how art should be displayed?"

"Very fulfilling, well worth the fifty miles travelled to attend"

"Shakespeare and Reggae in the same performance"

Sec you tliwv! Marie Oldaker. (CiHmlimitor, DASH! '98)

IDash" The Arts Service -<>>••->•>••>«''' O )

has been supported by: kWREKlN COUNCIL

co-operative

Also:

Ludlow Assembly Rooms

The Bonus Trust

Shrewsbury and Atcham Rotary Club

Shrewsbury and Atcham Lions Club

Vision Homes Association

H9B9 On.A. 1 / 3/40+ designers

www.btinternet.com hnbn.riiiN l< i Mm Wilkes (0116) 270 836*

Dash Diary: Events at a glarixh.. Friday 16"' October

Sound Makers Exhibition opens in Ludlow. Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading Estate, Bromfield Road, Ludlow. Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Private View of Sound Makers' Exhibition Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading Estate, Bromfield Road, Ludlow. By invitation: 12.30 p.m. -1.30 p.m. Soul Two Soul' Evening of

contemporary dance The Arts and Media Centre, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury. 8 p.m.

Saturday T7th October

Sound Makers' Exhibition -Workshop Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading Estate, Bromfield Road, Ludlow. 11 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. Sound Makers' Exhibition

continues Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Strathcona Theatre Company Workshop Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow. 3 a.m. - 5 p.m. 'id' - Strathcona Theatre Company, Performance, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow. 7.30 p.m.

Sunday 18"1 October

Sound Makers' Exhibition Family Workshop Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading Estate, Bromfield Road, Ludlow. 11 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.

Monday 19"' October

Artworks II' the DASH '98 Art Exhibition opens. Stirchley Day Centre, Stirchley, Telford. 10.30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Private View of the DASH '98 Art Exhibition - Artworks II. Stirchley Day Centre, Stirchley, Telford. By invitation: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sound Makers' Exhibition

continues. Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday 20"1 October

Art Training Day Centre North West, Oak St., Oswestry. 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. Artworks II Exhibition continues Stirchley Day Centre, Telford. 10.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Sound Makers' Exhibition

continues. Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. 10 a.m - 4 p.m.

Wednesday 21s' October

Artworks II Exhibition continues Stirchley Day Centre, Telford. 10.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Sound Makers' Exhibition

continues. Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. 10 a.m - 4 p.m.

Thursday 22nd October

Artworks II Exhibition continues Stirchley Day Centre, Telford 10.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. 'Sound Makers' Exhibition continues. Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. 10 a.m - 4 p.m.

Friday 23rd October

Artworks II Exhibition (Final day) Stirchley Day Centre, Telford. 10.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Sound Makers' Exhibition

(Final day) Loud Water Studio, Ludlow. 10 a.m - 4 p.m. The DASH 98 Showcase The Gateway Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury. 7.30 p.m.

Saturday 24"1 October

Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company Weekend Workshop Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Innage Lane, Bridgnorth. 11 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

'Voice Workshop' with Julie McNamara. The Gateway Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday 25"1 October

Heart n Soul Music Theatre Workshop Oakengates Theatre, Oakengates, Telford. 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company Weekend Workshop Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Innage Lane, Bridgnorth 11 a.m. - approx. 10.15 p.m. (including performance at Oakengates Theatre, Telford)

Dash 98 Party Night Oakengates Theatre, Oakengates, Telford. 7.30 p.m.

All details believed correct at time of going to press.

boul Iwo Soul The Festival performance programme opens

with a double bill of exciting dance theatre from the Shropshire based 'Blue Eyed Soul Dance

Company'and 'JointForces' - a visiting duo from the USA.

Your chance to see the talent and innovation that is giving Blue Eyed Soul a well earned place on the dance

circuit of the UK. The company continue to move from strength to strength as they work with Britain's most talented choreographers and perform in prestigious dance events throughout the country. Now involved in their third DASH Festival, the company hosts its very own evening of dance with invited guest artists bringing a unique style from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Friday 16h October 8 pjn.

The Arts and Media Centre 5, Belmont, Shrewsbury

Tickets: £5.00 (£2.50 cones.) BOOK IN ADVANCE

To reserve tickets phone DASH on: (01743) 440 972

' id ' Strathcona Theatre Company

The story of a malicious act, a fateful quest, and a sense of belonging that draws two strangers closer together.

Twins born into a respectable Victorian household are separated at birth when the family discover that one of them has a disability. A story of cruelty and intrigue unfolds as the disabled twin, rejected by society, finds himself placed in a world inhabited by side-show 'freaks'. Devised from original ideas by Strathcona's core company of seven learning disabled actors, 'id' celebrates the company's extraordinary ability for inspired original story telling in a unique visual style.

Saturday 17th October 7.30 p.m.

Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow.

Tickets: £5.00 (£4.00 cones.) BOOK IN ADVANCE

To reserve tickets phone the Box Office on: (01584) 878141

The DASH '98 showcase

...brings together the '98 'Shropshire and Wrekin Disability Arts Initiative Award

winners' (DAI), and guest artists at the forefront of Disability Arts in the UK.

This eclectic melting pot of performance in both the more traditional and contemporary styles of music, song, dance and dance theatre is sure to

stir the senses and enlighten! The performers include:

MOSAIC ARTS (DAI award winners) 'Mosaics' is an integrated group of 22 people

with learning disabilities who first came together in September '97. Their dance-

drama performance is not only powerful and entertaining to watch, but also communicates 'something of ourselves' in a wholly creative experience. The company also create their

own scenery and costume as part of the performance process.

CIRCLE DANCERS (DAI award winners)

The Circle Dancers are a recently formed integrated group from Ludlow comprising

adults most of whom have learning disabilities and sensory impairment, and are

wheel chair users. Circle dancing is traditionally a social dance form. The group was primarily formed to address this need, enabling friends to work together within an

artistic medium, facilitated by a local professional circle dance artist.

JULIE McNAMARA (Guest artist) Julie's story-telling and commentary is sharp

and hard hitting, matched only by a delightfully wicked sense of humour and a beautiful voice that reaches extremes of

emotion - 'stirring the heart to song'.

IAN STANTON (Guest Artist) Heralded as 'the Bob Dylan of the Disability Arts Movement', Ian's skillful songwriting

and ability to communicate his message through music, deservedly allows him that title. He delivers a mixture of song, music

and anecdote carrying the marks of experience and a mischievous sense

of humour.

BLUE EYED SOUL DANCE COMPANY (Guest artists)

With their diverse and unique programme of dance, the region's most celebrated

integrated dance company perform for us in tonight's showcase.

The Showcase will be preceded with a reception at The Gateway where the DAI award winners will be formally acknowledged of their

success and achievements in an informal presentation ceremony. The reception begins at

6 p.m. with speeches and presentations from 6.30 - 7p.m.

The coffee and licensed bar at The Gateway will be open for drinks and snacks. Anyone is

welcome to attend.

Friday 23ri October 7.30 p.m.

The Gateway Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury.

Tickets: £4.00 (£2.50 cones.) BOOK IN ADVANCE

To reserve tickets phone DASH on: (01743) 440972

The DASH '98 Party Night

"...smoke, reverberation, flashlights, heavy bass, screeching feedback, drums, glitzy costumes-

Rock and Roll!" It's got to be finale night.!....

In celebration of more than a week of high quality arts events across Shropshire, DASH brings the festivities to a close by

welcoming back, with their latest set "the experience that can only be described as Heart and Soul!"

With their unique blend of musical styles, Heart 'n' Soul Music Theatre bring their dynamic, musical journey of foot stomping delight to the audience - performing their hour long show on the auditorium floor rather than the stage!!

Another performer from Shropshire climbing high on the ladder to success is singer/songwriter Mike Taylor. He and his live band will join the party to delight us with a repertoire of songs currently being performed at gigs throughout the country.

We will also be treated to a short dance performance by a brand new group - 'Soul Partners' - so new in fact that they will have only been working together on the Saturday and Sunday to create this piece

especially for the DASH party night! The 'Soul Partners' are a combined group including members of Blue Eyed Soul Dance Co who will have been working intensively with a small group of young people over the weekend (details of this workshop on back page of programme).

As with all the bestpartys, there will be plenty of nibbly bits and the bar will be open from 7 p.m. through till after the show finishes...

so be there, let your hair down and stomp away with the rest of us!

Saturday 25 t h October 7.30 p.m.

Oakengates Theatre, Oakengates, Telford. Tickets: £5.00 (£4.00 cones.)

BOOK IN ADVANCE To reserve tickets phone the Box Office on:

(01952) 619 020

The DASH '98 Exhibition

Artworks I F Iinking together our two Festival

weekends is the annual DASH '98 J Art Exhibition. This year we showcase

the work of the '98 Disability Arts Initiative Award (DAI) winners, combine this with art from Stirchley Day Centre members, invite past exhibitors to display their latest works and introduce the work of local groups and special schools. Artworks IF will be housed at Stirchley Day Centre in Telford but will extend into the surrounding buildings of Stirchley Centre as the Artworks Trail' (maps provided at the day centre). Artists will be on-site to talk about

their work and as the centre goes about its usual day, viewers will be able to see art works in progress. Artworks IF is the largest collection of its kind to be shown locally and the combination of artistic skill, approach, experience and commitment will ensure a high quality exhibition, rich in diversity and interest.

This year's DAI award winning artists are: Veronica Thomas, Alan Mansell, Joy Tudor, Denise Wall, Carl Ford, Derek Close and Veronica Hill.

Monday 19th - Friday 23 d October

10.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Stirchley Day Centre, Telford.

Free Entry (There will be a private viewing of the

exhibition from lpm - 2 pm on Monday 19th October to invited guests.)

For more information contact DASH on: (01743) 440972

or Heather Prescott at Stirchley Day Centre on: (01952) 595543

UJIIHMMTJ 'Sound

Makers' A sensory exhibition of ceramic touch and

water stones by Jackie Rankin.

Ceramics you can listen to? Come along and experience this unique installation. Ceramicist fackie Rankin is inspired by classical Chinese garden design and oriental culture. Her pebble

like touch and water stones are designed to appeal to the senses and invite interaction from

the viewer. She will create a 'touch table' of ceramic tactile forms of different shapes, sizes, textures and sounds for viewers to feel, handle

and listen to...

The exhibition and accompanying workshops (see next page), will be held at the new Loud Water Studio,

one of the only purpose built disability arts spaces in the country, refurbished with a grant from the lottery. Why not go along and see the new facilities.

Friday 16th - Friday 23 r d October

(excluding Sunday 18th)

10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Free Entry Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading

Estate, Bromfield Rd. Ludlow

For more information contact James O'Hanlon on (01584) 877272

or DASH: (01743) 440972

(There will be a private viewing of the exhibition from 12.30 - 1.30 p.m. on Friday

16th October to invited guests.)

Art, Training

Day (for artists with disabilities)

Centre North West in Oswestry opens its doors for a day of exploring new techniques,

developing skills, sharing ideas with other artists and working creatively in a supportive

group structure.

The workshop wil l be lead by Sylvia Earthy and the Lome Street Project group who all have extensive

experience in a wide variety of art and craft media. The Project group have twice been recipients of the Disability Arts Initiative award, and are now regularly commissioned for various different artistic projects throughout Shropshire and beyond.

Work produced from the day will be exhibited at Oakengates Theatre, Telford, on the DASH

Party night (Sunday 25th October) - and will then be shown again at DASH events

throughout the year.

Tuesday 20 , h October 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.

Centre North West, Oak St., Oswestry. £3.00 (please bring a packed lunch - tea and

coffee provided) BOOK I N ADVANCE (MAX. 12 PLACES)

To reserve places phone DASH on: (01743) 440972

Strathcona Theatre

Company Workshop

Strathcona will be running a workshop prior to their evening performance of 'id' which will

examine issues that are raised within the piece.

Saturday 17"' October 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow

Free (available only to those attending the evening performance)

Book in advance (max. 25 places) To reserve places phone the Box Office on:

(01584) 878141

H i m Ti mis j ^ A f T l Ti i l l L U

Heart ln' Soul

Music Theatre

Workshop Heart 'n' Soul will be running a workshop for

people with mild learning and/or physical disabilities prior to their evening performance.

This is the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between Heart n' Soul and Telford & Wrekin Council's Arts

& Entertainments Section. For more information contact Helen Chesters on: (01952) 202579

Sunday 25 t h October 1 1 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Oakengates Theatre, Oakengates, Telford. £2.00

BOOK I N ADVANCE (MAX. 20 PLACES) To reserve places phone DASH on:

(01743) 440972

'Sound, Makers Workshops with J a c k i e R a n k i n

Sound Makers is a Craftspace Touring Exhibition and making project in collaboration

with The Art Studio, Ludlow.

Jackie Rankin wil l be running participatory workshops suitable for all abilities at the Art Studio based on her exhibition of

ceramic touch and water stones.

Saturday 17th October or

Sunday 18th October (Family Workshop) One day workshops in two sessions suitable for

adults and children aged 12 upwards. 11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.

Loud Water Studio, 16A Burway Trading Estate,

Bromfield Road, Ludlow Free (12 places) - bring a packed lunch or

take 'time out' in Ludlow centre! BOOK I N ADVANCE

To reserve tickets phone DASH on: (01743) 440972

For more information contact: Craftspace Touring on: (0121) 608 6668 Loud Water Studio on: (01584) 877272

DASH on: (01743) 440972

Blue Eyed Soul

Dance Weekend Workshop

Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company lead an exciting intensive weekend workshop

culminating in a live performance at the DASH Finale Party Night on Sunday 25th October. For this event the group will perform under a

new name, 'Soul Partners'

I

The workshop is open to young people with and

without disability aged between 14 and 25 yrs. No dance experience is necessary. The company will work with participants to create

dance on the opening night of the Festival, 'Soul Two Soul', and wil l also be performing in the DASH Showcase on Friday 23rd October. For more information on the company, look under those two performances earlier in the programme.

Saturday & Sunday 24725'" October

Saturday 11.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. and Sunday 11.00 a.m. -10.15 p.m.

(Including performance at Oakengates Theatre)

at Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Innage Lane, Bridgnorth

(please note that on the Sunday, participants must be available to perform at the DASH

party in Telford.) Transport wil l be provided to and from Bridgnorth for participants only.

£4.50

(please bring a packed lunch and drinks)

BOOK I N ADVANCE (MAX. 20 PLACES)

To reserve places phone DASH on:

(01743) 440972

a short dance piece which wil l introduce elements of the company's repertoire and techniques. Blue Eyed Soul wi l l be hosting their own evening of

'The Voice' Workshop

Julie McNamara leads a two hour session on 'voicework' in an exploration into the power and diversity of the human voice.

No experience is necessary and it is equally open to anyone whether or not you consider yourself a singer! You may be surprised.... Julie is renowned for her singing and also works as mental health consultant for the Arts Council Of England. She is performing in DASH at the Festival Showcase on Friday 23rd October.

Saturday 24 lh October 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The Gateway Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury.

£2.00 BOOK I N ADVANCE (MAX. 15 PLACES)

To reserve places phone DASH on: (01743) 440972

information Venues are fully accessible.

Performances will be B.S.L. Interpreted

and can be described in Braille or Large Print if

requested in advance.

Festival information is also available in Braille, Large Print

and on tape.

B.S.L. Interpreters wil l be available for workshops if requested in advance.

Unless otherwise stated, for Festival information and booking, contact DASH on:

Phone: 01743 440972 Minicom: 01743 444569 Fax: 01743 461349

Photography: Hugo Glendinning for

Strathcona Theatre Company Craftspace Touring I Jackie Rankin

Peter Gwynn for Blue Eyed Soul Chris Nottingham for DASH

Marie Oldaker for DASH

Many thanks go out to all those who have helped, given support, performed,

transported, been committed, designed, organised and administrated, to achieve the overall success of DASH '98. There are too many of you to mention individually but you

have all played a vital role in making the Festival what it is... Thank You!