Black Dance Uncovered: Summer School

Black Dance Uncovered: Summer School is unique dance training programme that brings together leading professional dance practitioners from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora. Over five days, participants will engage in both theoretical and technical training with a sharing of their work to take place on the final day.

Participants will receive an introduction to Talawa Technique TM and build vital skills in professional performance practice centred on a holistic model of focused dance technique, socio-cultural and historical knowledge, and unapologetic creative expression. The course will be a valuable continued professional development opportunity or bridge between training and professional practice.

Talawa Technique TM is a fully codified and examinable technique for Africanistic movement and aesthetics, developed by Thomas Talawa Prestø, the technique seamlessly merges ancestral movements, historical and culturally contextualised vocabulary with contemporary African and Diaspora movement and sensibilities.

The Talawa movement vocabulary stays true to Africanist dance heritage, rooting down towards the ground and is unique due to its use of rhythmic structures, making a clear distinction between aesthetical and technical choices. Connecting to history and culture in an empowering way, dancers are guided to skilfully master the multiple isolations and polyrhythmic articulations, while breaking down mental and cultural barriers in order to free movement. The technique uses knowledge and culture as a liberating tool, creating confident performers, who embrace their own identities and the multiple identities of Africanistic movement.

The course will also feature guest masterclasses led by pioneering dance practitioners and educators: Sharon Watson, Principal of Northern School of Contemporary Dance and David Blake, Artistic Director of Blake Arts.

Accommodation, if required, is an additional £78 per night, subject to availability. Please email info@serendipity-uk.com for further details.

For participants 18 years old and over.
Places are limited for a bespoke learning experience.