Image Text:

CELEBRATING DANCE: The Ond Dance UK awards

THE 2019 One Dance UK awards and conference will take place in Manchester this November.

Taking place at the prestigious Imperial War Museum (North) on 9 November, the One Dance UK Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of professionals and practitioners working in dance.

The exciting annual event is an opportunity for people in the dance community to get together, celebrate, acknowledge and reward those who have made an impact over the last 12 months on the UK’s vibrant and diverse dance landscape.

With 100’s of nominations across 24 categories including the popular dance personality of the year award (sponsored by The Place), dance of the African diaspora lifetime achievement award (supported by Derrick Anderson) and lifetime achievement in South Asian dance (sponsored by Akademi), the awards ceremony provides a platform to celebrate all the incredible work taking place in the dance world.

Andrew Hurst, chief executive of One Dance UK said: “There is no shortage of exceptional talent and drive in the dance sector, but the hard work of many individuals and organisations often goes unrecognised. Our awards present a unique opportunity for such dedication to finally be acknowledged, and to bring members and supporters together to celebrate the outstanding contribution so many people across the sector make to dance throughout the UK.”

Nominations closed at the end of July and the shortlist will be announced in October.

Over at The Lowry theatre in Salford Quays, on 7-9 November, the International One Dance UK Conference 2019, Re:generations – dance and the digital space, will take the form of an international forum exploring how technology drives innovation in dance of the African Diaspora.

The conference aims to bring the dance community together to stimulate critical debate, share current practice, research and innovation and encourage new perspectives for the future.

Hosted in partnership by One Dance UK, IRIE! dance theatre, Middlesex University, Dance Immersion and The Lowry, the conference will explore the ways digital technologies can be used for artistic innovation and creative practise, to unite global communities through online platforms whilst increasing the visibility of diverse work to mainstream audiences.

Eckhard Thiemann - programming associate for Dance for The Lowry, said: “The Lowry is delighted to present the Re:generations conference in November 2019. The conference and associated performance programme will bring an exciting season of contemporary works from African dance artists to our venues and audiences.”

As well as providing an international platform connecting UK artists, practitioners and scholars with global leaders from Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, USA and beyond, across the three days there will be panel discussions, lecture demonstrations, masterclasses, workshops, academic paper presentations, performances and networking events.

A key event will be the launch of the report for One Dance UK’s "Dance of the African Diaspora Mapping Research"; presenting the current state and needs of the DAD workforce with a scope for future growth and development.

The full outline for the conference can be viewed on the One Dance UK website. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.