No Images? Click here Newsletter | July 2017 From the Director's deskLast month was packed with excitement. Akademi continues to be a National Portfolio organisation. We are extremely grateful to Arts Council England, artists and our patrons for continuing to support us. We are looking forward to celebrating our 40th Anniversary in 2019 and developing a diverse programme of work in the coming years. The most exciting development at Akademi in the recent times has been the launch of Paul Hamlyn funded project 'Reach Out and Reveal' that focuses on young people in Special Education Needs (SEN) setting. I welcome Joe West into our team who will be leading on this project. We were at Birmingham this weekend for our NAVADAL competition in partnership with One Dance UK and supported by ISTD and Sampad. It was wonderful to discover new South Asian dance talent. Congratulations to all the winners, participants and partners. I would like to thank the Akademi team, Shivaangee Agrawal and Anita Srivastava for all their hard work. I was humbled to meet some emotional members of the audience who were touched to see Paradiso at the Bells Square. Paradiso will be touring across London as part of Circulate 2017 and we continue to look for opportunities to take it further. Summer is busy with stimulating performances taking place across the country. We try to keep you updated with our listings. I hope you manage to see some of them and enjoy. Mira Kaushik OBE NewsAkademi remains part of Arts Council national portfolio 2018-22We are delighted that Arts Council England have announced that Akademi will continue to be a National Portfolio Organisation for the period 2018-22. The four-year funding settlement ensures we can continue to plan ambitious artistic projects, develop artists and expand the audience for South Asian dance in the UK.
ProductionsParadiso: Man's enduring search for perfectionAfter wowing audiences in Hounslow's Bell Square this July, Paradiso continues to tour London's urban spaces this summer, as part of Circulate 2017. See dates below. The TrothAkademi introduced its brand new international production in the making, The Troth - Usne Kaha Tha, with the release of an exciting new teaser trailer. Produced by Josh Hawkins, featuring photography by Simon Richardson and archival material from Imperial War Museum London. Location courtesy Tara Arts. PerformancesAkademi at International Yoga DayAkademi presented Indian Classical and Rajasthani Folk dance at Trafalgar Square performed by Arunima Kumar Dance Company and Sarjan Nartan Academy. Organised by Indian High Commission, The Nehru Centre and the Incredible India, in association with the Mayor of London. Akademi at Tales of Silk and Music Festival in Devonshire SquareAkademi has been invited to take part in this festival that marks the UK-India Year of Culture with a journey through Indian dance styles. Performances take place every Thursday from 6 July to 17 August. Akademi at Camden Kalā festivalThis year Camden Council’s annual arts programme will celebrate the UK-India year of culture. The Camden Kalā festival shines a spotlight on India’s vibrant heritage both within Camden and beyond. Education and CommunityReach Out and RevealAkademi has appointed Joe West as the new Learning and Participation Officer. Joe will focus on managing Akademi’s latest pilot project, ‘Reach Out and Reveal’ funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. He brings with him knowledge and experience from 20 years of working in special education settings. Joe was previously the lead for sports and the extended curriculum at Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre. Akademi will be shortly appointing artists-in-residence at the two schools involved in the pilot project. Dance WellDance Well Features in Animated MagazineDance Well will feature in the upcoming edition of People Dancing’s magazine, discussing the benefits of South Asian Dance for the health and well being of older adults. Vacancy: Dance Well Project AssistantAkademi is seeking a Project Assistant to support the delivery of our Dance Well programme and other associated work. Deadline: Monday 24 July, 10am. Meet the Team: Joe West“It’s great to join the team at Akademi and everyone has made me feel very welcome. I am very pleased to be part of this project as it is such an interesting piece of work. I have met with teachers from both schools involved in the project, Papillon House and Sherwood Hill, and the response has been very positive. I think we have a wonderful opportunity to analyse and establish the impact that South Asian Dance can have on children and young people on the autistic spectrum, particularly looking at their communication and physicality. I think the research, tools and resources developed through ‘Reach Out and Reveal’ could well inspire and open new pathways and programs for SEN learners, teachers, schools and South Asian dance artists”. What's on at AkademiPerformanceAkademi @ Devonshire Square6 Jul - 17 Aug, 12.30 - 1.30pm A journey through Indian dance styles, marking the UK-India Year of Culture. 20 July: Bharatanatyam Read moreParadiso: Man's enduring search for perfectionPier Parade, 5 Aug, 12.15pm An international creative team and a diverse cast come together in a sensual, solar choreography. Free / Read moreAkademi @ Camden Council Housing daysPeckwater Estate, 2 Aug, 1pm-5pm Akademi will bring India to the Camden residents with Bhangra and Dandiya dances, Bollywood music, henna artist, face painters and balloon modeller. Read moreWorkshopsBollywood Dance PartySat 12 Aug, 6:30pm Let loose and learn simple Bollywood steps from a professional dancer - no prior experience necessary. Part of Circulate 2017. Training by Dance Well10 - 11 Aug Intensive training for all artists trained in South Asian dance who wish to work in community settings with older people. ContactWhat's on in our world of dancePerformanceJulyGemArts | Masala Festival: Gandharva Choir GemArts | Masala Festival: Daljit Nagra Phizzical | Bring on the Bollywood Kadam | The Rose and the Bulbul GemArts | Masala Festival: NO DOGS, NO INDIANS The Bhavan | Summer School Showcases: Hindustani Vocal by Nagaraj Havaldar Drishti Dance | Sama The Bhavan | Summer School Showcases: Kathak Dance by Rani Khanam GemArts | Masala Festival: Mini Mela Shane Shambhu Productions | Confessions of a Cockney Temple Dancer Kala Sangam | Afrindo Strings The Bhavan | Summer School Showcases: Bharatanatyam Dance by Bala Devi Chandrashekar Shane Shambhu Productions | Confessions of a Cockney Temple Dancer The Bhavan | Summer School Showcases: Karnatic Vocal Teacher by O. S. Arun AugustAmina Khayyam Dance Company | Slut The Bhavan | Summer School Finale Nupur Arts | Summer Mela: Loughborough Nupur Arts | Summer Mela: Leicester Sonia Sabri Company | Salaam Sonia Sabri Company | Lok Virsa: Beyond Boarders Sonia Sabri Compnay | Salaam Jobs and OpportunitiesBalbir Singh Dance Company | Call Out for Dancers Deadline: Fri 21 Jul, 5pm Send a CV, headshot and a link to footage to auditions.bsdc@gmail.com ClassesISTD | Residential Summer School 2017 eARTHkala Dance | Summer Workshop and Performance For Children Images (from top): NAVADAL, 2017, Patrick Centre. Credit: Simon Richardson. |