Dance Futures

In this first of three special episodes with the cohort of the MA Dance Participation,Communities,Activism I discuss how dance can be part of the solution to the global and local issues we face with artists Anno Bolender based in Germany and Marilia Coelho from Brazil.

In this LAST episode of series three I had the pleasure of chatting to Stuart Waters about his work Queer Collisions, and how his neurodiversity informs his practice. We spoke about identity and tokenism and how to bring all of yourself to a rehearsal process as a performer or facilitator and how we need more cushions but not to get tooooo comfortable...

In this episode we discuss Taos' new work 'Brutal Syntax' commissioned as part of Meltdown festival - we explore the relationship between dance and language and I have a fan girl moment about their work with Christine and the Queens. They refuse the title of trailblazer as we find the words to talk about process and the materiality of bodies in their work... Taos performance explores the boundaries of popular culture and brings an eclectic mix of influences to the contemporary dance scene. Brutal Syntax premieres on 14th June and is not to be missed!

In this episode I talk with Cecilia Macfarlane about the roots and branches of her long career in the Community Dance sector and about what it takes to keep the fires burning, why she still performs and how gender differences have influenced progression in the young people she teaches. I also do some geeking with the book by my bedside currently which is called 'Dance your way home: A journey through the dance-floor' by Emma Warren. You can also check out the resource book created by Cecilia and Ruth - 'Any Age, Any Body, Any Dance' via the People Dancing website.

In the February edition I had the treat of speaking with two of my recent graduates from Falmouth University's Dance & Choreography course about thier life post graduation and working internationally, we discuss navigating social media as an artist and how to make friends with imposter syndrome.

In this episode I talk with performer, choreographer, writer, dramaturg and facilitator Orrow Bell about transitions in life and work, queer politics, and how they are ready to show up for their trans siblings. In the past Bells' performance work has raised the issue of visibility for queer people - particularly those who identify as women and afab - in the contemporary dance sector and has done so with humour and generosity. As well as looking at Bells performance 'The Forecast' from 2019, we ask where are they now and discuss how to create spaces where empathy and learning can happen. Bells voice is an important one for creatives from all disciplines. Listen up and show up! As always, I am joined by recent Dance & Choreography graduate and dance teacher Luca Vaccari to digest some of the themes from the interview. There is no geek out this time but plenty of wonderful starting points for further research...

In this episode I talk to choreographer, performer, director and psychotherapist Emilyn Claid on the eve of one her final performances of her recent solo work 'Untitled' which she developed in collaboration with choreographers Heidi Rustgaard and Florence Peake around the theme of transformation. We talk about Emilyns role in UK dance history, about what letting go means in the context of dance and life, queerness from her perspective and how returning to performing after 22 years has felt like a homecoming. Emilyn's book 'falling through dance and life' is a point of reference during this discussion for the physical and emotional work around 'falling' - my dance geek dream - and we touch on how death being the only trajectory brings a new sense of fullness to what she is doing.

In this episode I chat to interdisciplinary artist Alexandrina Hemsley about their career in dance, how the starting point is always the body and how existing in white led dance spaces has given rise to alternative modes of making work. We discuss Afrofuturism and touch on how grief and loss impacted thier creative process on the recently released film-work 'The Fountain' which is a labour of love that uses visual effects, the metaphor of water and dance to explore Black lived experiences, and also draws on experiences of mental health and invisible disabilities. I am also joined by regular contributor Luca Vaccari live from a props cupboard in Frankfurt! LINK TO FREE SCREENING OF THE FOUNTAIN ON WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER at 5pm: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-screening-and-qa-fountain-by-alexandrina-hemsley-yewande-103-tickets-444539207737

For the start of series three we are looking to the future in more ways than just dancing... talking with Dance and Movement Artist Claud Tonietto about thier work and recent practice exploring the idea of Queer Utopias (taken from the book by Jose Munoz) this is a fascinating exploration of the kind of worlds we want to create and the movement that might get us there. Also joined by my regular contributor Luca Vaccari to digest the interview from another perspective and a little bit of dance geekery thrown in for good measure.  See you in utopia! 

In the March episode I talk to choreographer and South Aisan Dance advocate Vidya Patel about her training in Khatak and since BBC young dancer how she is discovering her authentic practice, about what we mean when we say 'technique' and not living up to audience expectations. We also discuss how there is more to life than dance (say whaaaaat???)! Vidya's dance artist network: https://www.danceartists.co.uk For Kathak classes with Sujata Banerjee, Vidya's teacher: https://www.sbdc-kathak.com The Book I refer to in this weeks 'Geek Out': India's Kathak Dance in Historical Perspective by Margaret E. Walker and Professor Keith Howard

This episode is around a table with my guest Grace Sellwood and regulars on the pod Robyn Alvarez and Luca Vaccari, we discuss our love/hate relationship to dancing in a nod to Valentines day and the knife edge anxitement of performing as well as how grown ups need to play. There is a lot of local love in the room this month.

In this episode Ruth talks to Kevin Turner, Artistic Director of Company Chameleon based in Manchester, UK. We discuss what inspiration really means and how Kevin uses dance to explore and share his own experiences, values and desires for social change. Kevin reveals his undercover identity (?!) and talks openly about his own mental health struggles.  Plus, abit of Whitney Houston anyone?!  Kevin is, quite simply, an inspiration...  Book References from this episode: Radical Happiness: Moments of Collective Joy by Lynne Segal  Depression: A Public Feeling by Ann Cvetkovich  Dancing in the Streets, A History of Collective Joy by Barbara Ehrenreich

In this episode Ruth, Robyn and Luca queer the iconic ballet that comes around every Christmas: The Nutcracker with music by Tchaikovsky. We discuss heteronormativity in ballet, gender roles and their toys, etymology, how rats could be queer icons and the best drag act around - the sugar plum fairy. We had such fun doing this episode and hope you enjoy it as much as we did, because, well, it's a cracker! (apart from a slightly rough around the edges edit, because you can't get everything right at this time of year) For your reference we watched the Russian Ballet full version available on You Tube for all to see, but of course there are numerous iterations and we also discuss Matthew Bourne's production. Merry Queermas everyone!

In this episode I talk to Camille Barton, embodiment researcher, artist and activist about how from beginnings in ballet they have taken to seeking what feels good in thier body and learnt that this has more to do with spirals and circles than straight lines. We share our love of BASS music and Camille discusses the body as a channel for both joy and grief, while Robyn and Luca reflect on creating the spaces we want to see in the world. In this weeks geek out I check out ‘I love myself when I am dancing and carrying on: refiguring the agency of black women's creative expression in Jamaican Dancehall culture' by Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, how could I resist a title like that?! 

In this episode I had the pleasure of taking time to talk with Theo Clinkard about unlearning the many rules and assumptions that being a dancer can leave us with, letting go of right/wrong binaries and 're-hobbying' dance. We ask just what is the opposite of practice, if practice is all you have and Theo discusses about his brave and compelling new work 'The Century Project' a performance spanning 100 years which seeks to open up time rather than conume it.... and because its nearly Halloween there's even some talk of ghosts!

A teaser to introduce you to the regular contributers on the Dance Futures podcast and a reminder from your favourite dance geek Dr Ruth Pethybridge that this is the podcast for you whether you are a trained professional or a regular on the kitchen disco circuit. We discuss what being a 'dancer' means in different ways to different people and why we'll never go on strictly... See you on the dance floor!

In this episode Ruth and ‘finger on the pulse' Robyn Alvarez unpack the beginning of a lost conversation with Sofie Parsons and Kuldip Singh Barmi about the relationship between students and teachers in dance. It's like a teaser, but better, especially because it ends with a Christmas song that will make you smile.

On this final episode of the current series Ruth talks to choreographer Grace Nicol about why the show mustn't always go on, how we can create structures of support and care for ourselves and each other, and how there is a place for both slow art and the kind that let's go of preciousness in order to just...begin....  Grace reminds us to have patience as we negotiate our new relationships to dance and performance in the future. In the last dance geek out Ruth reflects on loss with Judith Butler.

Treat yourself to some ‘new thoughts' this lockdown! This week on Dance Futures Ruth chats to Gillie Kleiman about how the question ‘what do you do?' always makes her uncomfortable and why taking pleasure in dancing is as important as how we define our professional role (lest we forget why we started doing it in the first place). Gillie also speaks up for the radical potential of friendship. Plus in an age of capitalism, if we live to work then what does that make life?  Also in this episode Robyn treats us to another string from her bow and Ruth geeks out about pole dancing.

In this episode Ruth talks to Emily Alden about her different roles in the dance industry and why she will always first and foremost be a dancer. Emily discusses facing challenges head on and her new work 'In My Head' as well as how how hope sometimes comes in the form of anarchy. Moving through the shifting sands of time and circumstance, dance gives us an ever changing perspective, and Emily's is an inspiring one. 

This is an interlude. (a minisode) Here Yi Kwek reads out her piece 'Mapping Lostness; Thoughts from a dancer'  - a look at bodily terrain/seeing through the body.  Yi's writing is a pause in this series of Dance Futures, a chance to catch up with previous episodes. A chance to reflect and take stock of your body's place in the world.  Originally published by 'Blurb' online magazine and collective: https://www.blurbmag.com

In this episode dance artist and choreographer Katie Dale Everett talks about how her work with dance and technology develops connection and empathy. Katie wants to 'humanise' technology in using it as a creative tool in her choreographic work and to continually question the constructed image we present through social media, particularly for young people.  For Katie her career has meant constant forward motion, like stepping on a train with no stops -  as a producer, choreographer and film maker, Katie's choreographic approach encompasses multiple routes into dance....choo choo!

In this episode I talk to choreographer Keir Clyne about about digital dance, non-human artists and what the dance sector might have to learn from Pokemon! If you have ever thought the machines in your life deserved more credit then this is the interview for you. We also discuss what virtual choreography means for human-beings attached to corporeality (love that word!) and why childhood habits might become grown up artistic practices. 

Pop! In this episode I burst the bubble of contemporary dance to talk with independent Dance Artist Grace Willow who works in a variety of dance styles and contexts, and talk about the politics of participation (pop - see what I did there?) and flash mobs. We discuss how alternative spaces facilitate inclusion in dance experiences and how making her practice open-source through the pandemic has been an unexpected delight, as well as how from Britney to Bollywood, for Grace, all roads lead to joy.  

In this FIRST EVER episode of Dance Futures I interview choreographer Bakani Pick-Up about his dance practice, our capacity to be extraordinary, how lockdown effected his attitude to work and why we should throw away the rule book (and begin with Beyonce instead!).  Please check out the episode link on our website for more links to Bakani and his work:  https://dancefutures.wixsite.com/podcast Follow us on Social Media:  @dancefuturespodcast #dancefuturespodcast

Listen here to find out more about whats in store in the Dance Futures podcast with Dr Ruth Pethybridge. Dance On!