Newsletter | February 2018

From the Director's desk

I would like to start by wishing you a Happy New Year from all of us at Akademi!

I recently had the opportunity to attend and speak at the India Foundation’s first international ‘Conference on Soft Power’ in New Delhi. The conference was stimulating and inspiring, bringing together a range of international experts and practitioners from across multiple disciplines to deliberate on India’s soft power and its role in foreign policy.You can know more about the conference and my speech in the news post below.

We are excited to have secured funding for our Reach Out and Reveal project from two major charitable bodies; Children in Need and John Lyon’s Charity. This will enable us to continue our work with SEN schools.

I am also proud to report that Akademi is now an Artsmark Partner as part of Arts Council England’s endorsed network of organisations embedding the arts and culture within the national curriculum and supporting the schools to achieve this creative quality standard.

This year Akademi turns 40 and we are currently in the process of finalising our plans to mark the event, which we shall announce over the next few months.

Mira Kaushik OBE

Watch: We’re looking forward, with fingers crossed, to 18 Feb and the results of the National Dance Award’s Outstanding Female Modern Performance category, for which Vidya Patel has been nominated for her performance in The Troth.

News

Soft Power Conference

In December Akademi’s Artistic Director, Mira Kaushik, was invited to speak at the first International Conference on Soft Power hosted by India Foundation in collaboration with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, in New Delhi. The conference brought together academicians, practitioners, experts, policy makers and diplomats to deliberate and discuss Indian soft power.

Read / Watch: Mira Kaushik @ The International Conference on Soft Power

Mira Kaushik included in the top 100 power couples

Mira Kaushik, has been featured in The Top 5 Asian Power Couples in Arts & Entertainment for 2019. This is a part of the 6th edition of the UK’s Asian Power Couples Hot 100 of 2019 list published by New Asian Post Ltd. She shares this honour with her husband, Naresh Kaushik and four other couples - Sharnita Athwal & Manga Singh, Laxmi Hariharan & Naman Ramachandran, Navin & Jasmine Kundra and Ashanti Omkar & Akin Aworan. Congratulations to all.

Read: Asian Power Couples in Arts & Entertainment

Watch: Discover Reach Out and Reveal in a new video, featuring South Asian dance artists Anusha Subramanyam and Seema de Jorge-Chopra.

Reach Out and Reveal

Funding Announced

Following an initial phase funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, our project which places South Asian dancers ‘in residence’ at SEN schools, will continue with funding from BBC Children in Need and John Lyon’s Charity.

2018 Project Report

Read up on the first year of the project, with reflections on context, challenges, relevance and success the project.

Read: End of year update

Dance Well

Arts Activities for Older People

We are delighted to feature in a new treasury of activities from The Baring Foundation with a wonderful activity for older adults from Dance Well artist Archita Kumar. Download a free copy of this wonderful resource from the Baring Foundation website.

Find out more: D ownload the Treasury from The Baring Foundation

What's on at Akademi

The Troth Screening

22 March | 7.20pm
mac Birmingham

A gripping wartime story of love and loss told through powerful dance theatre.

Presented by Sampad, The Troth will be screened at Legacies of the First World War Festival, hosted by the Arts & Humanities Research Council WW1 Engagement Centres.

Book Tickets

Dance for All | Artist Training

11 & 12 March | 9:45am – 5pm
Baithak House, Birmingham

This two-day training event will provide key information and practical strategies on how to creatively engage young people with SEN, older adults, and those living with long-term health conditions.

For one-week only, the tickets are being reduced by £89. Offer ends on the 12 February.

Book Tickets

Dance Well @ Christchurch Uxbridge | With Rachel Waterman

Jan - Jul 2019 [excluding April]
Tuesdays | 2 - 3pm
Christ Church | Uxbridge, UB8 1QS

Price: £3 per session (cash on the door)

Find out more

Akademi's Dance Well project provides opportunities for adults to attend dance and movement sessions, partnering with charity organisations, care homes, day centres and hospitals, as well as community learning and education providers.

All abilities are welcome to join in and previous dance experience is not necessary. Tea and coffee will be provided.

These workshops are generously funded by London Catalyst and rb&hArts.

What's on in our world of dance

Looking for South Asian dance training and institutions in the UK?

Our new South Asian Dance section of the website is the place to start. If you’re a student looking to start a journey in South Asian dance, we can start you off on the road to excellence.

This new database will grow and develop over time. If you deliver South Asian dance classes in the UK and want to make an amendment to your listing or have your business included please email info@akademi.co.uk.

Performance

February

Pagrav | Jump Start: Move
2 Feb, 6.30pm
The Venue, Milton Keynes

SAA-uk | Hum Teen : Us Three
7 Feb, 7.30pm
Seven Arts, Leeds

Kala Sangam | Zahir Abbas Qawaal
9 Feb, 7.30pm
St. Peter’s House, Bradford

GemArts | GemArts Mini Mela
21 Feb, 11.30am
Caedmon Hall, Gateshead Central Library

Sonia Sabri Company | Same Same ... But Different
21 Feb, 2pm
Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome

Kala Sangam | Sengupta Dance Company
28 Feb 7.30pm
St. Peter’s House, Bradford

March

Hebridean Treasure | Lost and Found
1 March, 7.30pm
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh

Amina Khayyam Dance Company | A THOUSAND FACES
7 March, 7.30pm
Circomedia, Bristol

GemArts | Shakir Khan
8 March, 7.30pm
Kings Hall, Newcastle University

SAA-uk | International Sitar Festival 2019
9 March, 7.30pm
Seven Arts, Leeds

Amina Khayyam Dance Company | A THOUSAND FACES
14 March, 7.30pm
Woodville Halls, Gravesend

GemArts | Rizwan Muazzam Qawwali
19 March, 8pm
Sage Gateshead, Gateshead

Regular Classes

Srishti - Nina Rajarani Dance School | Spring Term 2019
Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Karnatic Vocal
12 Jan - 23 Mar
Harrow Arts Centre, Middlesex

Sonia Sabri Company | Kathak
From 12 Jan, times vary based on ability
Baithak House, Birmingham

Sonia Sabri Company | Tabla
From 12 Jan, times vary based on ability
Baithak House, Birmingham

Sonia Sabri Company | Classical Bollywood Dance
From 15 Jan, 7 – 8pm
Baithak House, Birmingham

Sonia Sabri Company | Kathak [Level 1]
From 16 Jan, 7 – 8pm
Baithak House, Birmingham

Bollywood Dance, led by Parveen Chana
From 26 Jan, 10am
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead

Jobs

Kala Sangam | Education and Outreach Officer
Deadline: 8 Feb, 12pm
St Peter's House, Bradford

CICD | Poshak Puralekh
Deadline: 22 Feb, 5pm
CICD, Leicester

Aakash Odedra Company | Marketing Manager
Deadline: 26 Feb, 5pm
Leicester Dance, Leicester

Aakash Odedra Company | Development Manager
Deadline: 26 Feb, 5pm
Leicester Dance, Leicester

Kala Sangam Arts Centre | Trustees
Deadline: 28 June, 12pm
St Peter's House, Bradford

Images (from top):

Conference on Soft Power, India Foundation. 2018. Image courtesy: India Foundation
Vidya Patel, The Troth, 2018. Image credit: Simon Richardson.
Reach Out and Reveal, Papillon House School, 2018. Credit: Vipul Sangoi.
Rachel Waterman and workshop participants, Arts4Dementia, 2018. Image credit: Jon Holloway
Sufi:Zen, Bells Square, 2018. Credit: Mira Kaushik