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Newsletter | May 2019
From the Director's desk
Thank you to all those who responded to our open call for 40th-anniversary events at the British Museum, Southbank Centre and Rich Mix and also for our NAVADAL Competition. We have received many wonderful submissions and we are now in the midst of preparations for a full year of exciting programme starting in May. I hope to see you all at these events.
We are also receiving entries for 'Akademi Associated’ events on our website. Through this programme we want to celebrate South Asian dance taking place in London. If you are running a workshop, performance or talk in London this year, do let us know.
Last, but certainly not least, we have recently said goodbye to two members of staff, Pia Zicchi and Helen Jeffreys, both of whom I cannot thank enough for all their hard work here at Akademi. I wish them all the best for their future. Every ending also brings with it a new beginning, though, and so it is with great joy that we welcome two new members into the Akademi family this month, Kirsten Burrows and Apollonia Bauer. They get to introduce themselves to you in this newsletter.
Mira Kaushik OBE
News
Mira Kaushik on India's Soft Power
In April, Artistic Director Mira Kaushik wrote an article for India Inc. on India’s soft power. Her article focuses on investment, professionalisation in South Asian dance and developing partnerships. She later presented this as part of a panel at Brand India event in King's College.
Read on: India’s Soft Power
Meet the Artist | Hiten Mistry
Akademi’s Learning and Participation Manager, Claire Farmer, caught up with Bharatanatyam artist Hiten Mistry to find out about his experience of using dance in hospital settings.
Read on: Meet Hiten Mistry
Goodbye and hello!
We’re going through a few changes in the Akademi office. We’re saying “goodbye” to both Helen Jeffreys, Interim Administrative Director, and Pia Zicchi, Learning & Participation Coordinator. We miss them both! But that doesn’t mean we aren’t delighted to introduce Apollonia Bauer, our new PA and Administration Assistant and Kirsten Burrows, who takes over from Helen as Interim Administrative Director.
‘It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I already feel part of the Akademi family and am beyond excited to celebrate this momentous 40-year anniversary with them.’ Apollonia Bauer
‘I’m thrilled to be joining the team as Akademi embarks on an inspiring and ambitious programme to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Over the next few months I hope to provide strong support to the team, artists and associates. I’m especially interested in learning more about the company’s renowned participatory work.’ Kirsten Burrows
Akademi at 40
In 2019 Akademi celebrates 40 years of imagining, inspiring, connecting and creating with a thrilling programme. Look out for exciting events at extraordinary venues across London, and online content that will both delve into the archive and look to the future of South Asian dance in the UK. Follow #Akademiat40 on social media for the latest.
Find out more: Akademi at 40
#40milestonemoments
We’re re-visiting the last four decades through 40 milestone moments in a #FlashbackFriday journey. We’ve been rooting through the archives and digging up old treasures, tracing the journey of South Asian dance in the UK through Akademi’s programmes and projects.
One Dance UK Awards
Akademi are sponsoring a One Dance UK Award to recognise excellence in South Asian dance. This award positions South Asian dance alongside the key achievers from the wider UK dance sector. Who would you like to celebrate? Nominations are open until 31 July.
Nominate: One Dance UK Awards
Akademi Associated
To celebrate the breadth and richness of South Asian dance in the UK, we’ve invited artists to submit information on London-based events between April 2019 and April 2020 to form the Akademi Associated programme.
Find out more: See what’s on or join the programme
What's on at Akademi
Seeta Patel's Rite of Spring
17 & 18 May | 7.30pm
The Place, London
Award-winning choreographer Seeta Patel re-imagines the iconic ballet through classical Indian dance style, Bharatanatyam.
Performance at ChelWest Hospital
13 June | 1pm
ChelWest Hospital, London
Our longest running partnership with CW+ is honoured with a performance of Classical Indian dance in the atrium.
Dance Dialogues at Asia House
Glittering Tales: Dancing for Rajahs, Nawabs, and the Men of The Raj
25 June | 6.45pm
Asia House, London
Join visiting artist Dr Swarnamalya Ganesh and Chitra Sundaram as they explore Sadir the historic precursor to the classical Indian dance style of Bharatanatyam.
Classical Indian Dance and its Relevance in a Global Contemporary Context
12 July | 6.45pm
Asia House, London
Rukmini Vijayakumar, a noted Bharatanatyam artist and actor from India, in an artistic conversation Vena Ramphal.
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)
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
Akademi Associated
Upahaar School of Dance | Bharatanatyam with Divya Shiva Sundar
Intermediate
4 May, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, Croydon
Seniors
12 May, 3 - 6pm
Sutton Baptist Church
SADMSA | Strength & Conditioning workshop
8 May, 7pm
Hyde Park, London
Priyanka Chauhan | Semi-Classical Saturday Intensive
11 May, 4.30 – 6.30pm
Danceworks, London
Sona Lisa Dance Company | Asian Voice Charity Awards
17 May, 6.30pm
Hilton - Park Lane, London
Priyanka Chauhan | Afro-Indian Class
18 May, 4 – 5.30pm
Fitness First Brixton, London
Upahaar School of Dance | Mohiniattam Arangetram of Daniella Zak Varghese
31 May, 6.30pm
Wallington High School for Girls, London
Vena Ramphal | The Shape of Stillness
31 May, 7.30pm
Tara Theatre, London
Upahaar School of Dance | Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Daniella Zak Varghese
2 June, 4.30pm
Wallington High School for Girls, London
Shamaa Dance Company | Dance Fusion
5 Jul, 7pm
Morley College, London
Performance
May
SAA-uk | NATYA
4 May, 7pm
Seven Arts, Leeds
Manasamitra | Lullaby - Sonic Cradle
5 May, 2pm
Settle Victoria Hall, Settle
Amina Khayyam Dance Co | A Thousand Faces
Gulbenkian, Canterbury
8 May, 7.30pm
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
9 May, 7.30pm
Courtyard, Hereford
14 May, 7.30pm
Northern Stage, Newcastle
17 May, 7.45pm
Sonia Sabri Company | Dastaan
18 May, 7pm
Cherry Hinton Library, Cambridge
Manasamitra | Lullaby - Sonic Cradle
21 May, 7.30pm
National Centre for Early Music, York
Sonia Sabri Company | Dastaan
24 May, 7pm
Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester
SAA-uk | Call of Spring
31 May, 7pm
Seven Arts, Leeds
June
SAA-uk | Summer Solstice Festival 2019
21 June, 8pm
Seven Arts, Leeds
Sona Lisa | Eleven, twelve, thirteen
21 June, 6pm
The Old Fire Station, Oxford
Classes and Courses
Regular ClassesSonia Sabri Company | Kathak Level 1-4 Sonia Sabri Company | Tabla Classes |
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. Master Classes / Advanced TrainingNatyanjali Dance School | Bharatanatyam with Divya Shiva Sundar The Lowry | CAT Audition |
Jobs
Hofesh Shechter Company | Head of Operations
Deadline: 13 May
Somerset House, London
Kala Sangam Arts Centre | Trustees
Deadline: 28 June, 12pm
St Peter's House, Bradford
Images (from top):
Tara Rajkumar. Credit: Akademi
Hiten Mistry, Dance Well at Harefield Hospital, 2018. Credit: Akademi
Nominations open. Image credit: One Dance UK
Dr Swarnamalya Ganesh. Image courtesy of the artist.
Sufi:Zen, Bells Square, 2018. Credit: Mira Kaushik
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London NW3 4QP
020 7691 3210
info@akademi.co.uk
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Company Number 05294528.
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