Luminous Soul is a dance project for disabled people who would like the opportunity to train to be professional dancers/ dance teachers.

Candoco Dance Company ‘push boundaries of contemporary dance beyond usual expectations and broaden people’s perception of what dance is and who can dance’.

In November 2009, as the launch of the Luminous Soul dance project, 2 dance facilitators from Candoco Dance Company in London worked with disabled people at the All Souls Church Hall, Elmwood Ave, Belfast. Since then we have worked with nearly 60 disabled people in Omagh, Derry and Ballymena and with the help of our international tutors, have selected 12 disabled people who we believe have the potential to work towards becoming professional dancers. Participants who are selected are then invited to attend five day long residentials (free of charge). The first of these residentials is happening in the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast on the 17th to the 22nd of October. The week will be facilitated by the Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company.

For information about how to take part in Luminous Soul, click here.

Coming soon:
Newry Dance Development Day
Newry Sports Centre, Wed 8th September 2010 (10.30 – 15.30)
Facilitated by Marc Brew

Registration forms available now!

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The international choreographer and award winning dancer Marc Brew is coming to Newry Sports Centre on 8th September 2010 to work with disabled people in the area who have an interest in dance. As a wheelchair user, Marc will guide the participants through a day of contemporary dance (10.30 – 15.30). Please ring Una if you would like more information on 02890240765. There is no cost but please complete a registration form.

Classes start week beginning 18th January unless otherwise stated and finish week beginning 15th March
Crescent Classes
Monday 11 a.m. Drama
Facilitated by Orla McKeagney
Monday 1.30 p.m. Dance
Facilitated by Nicola Currie
Monday 2 p.m. Drama
Facilitated by Orla McKeagney
N.B. Creative Writing starts on Tuesday 26th
Tuesday 11.a.m Creative Writing Facilitated by Ruth Carr
New Class – B.C.C. Creative Legacy Programme
Thursday Dance 11-3 Facilitated by Nicola Currie
Friday 11a.m. Drama Facilitated by Katie Richardson
Friday 11.30 a.m. Drama Facilitated by Kara Smyth
New Class – Luminous Soul Programme
Friday 2.30 p.m. Continuation Dance Classes facilitated by Sheena Kelly
Non Crescent Classes
Classes resume week beginning 18th January
Morton Community Centre
Monday 11.am.-12.30 p.m. Visual Arts Facilitated by Ash and Rachael
Divis Community Centre Monday 7.15p.m. – 9.15p.m. Open Arts Choir Facilitated by Bev
Dee Street Community Centre
Friday 10.30-12.30 Visual Arts Facilitated by Tomas and Claire
New Class – B.C.C. Creative Legacy Programme
North Belfast Day Centre
Gamelan Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Facilitated by Bev
Dee Street Community Centre
Saturdays 11 a.m-1 p.m
Jamdin Music sessions Facilitated by Bev and Una

We would like to offer the opportunity to local dance facilitators to shadow experienced disabled tutors from the UK and Ireland.  If you are interested please contact Una at unaopenarts@aol.com.

First Dance Development Day will be happening in Contact Youth building.  Belfast on Monday the 30th November.  It will be facilitated by 2 tutors from Candoco: the Uk’s leading light in inclusive dance.

Click here to see the Luminous webpage for more details.

Open Arts would like to help you develop your dancing skills with LUMINOUS SOUL, a new dance and movement initiative.

Click here for more details.

Click below to see a footage from the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtWbjpUcIsU

New Dance class -Monday dance for all!

All ages, all abilities

Crescent Arts Centre

1.30p.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Class run by Maiden Voyage

Be in at the start of our dance class with Nicola Currie.  If you like music and need exercise and love to have fun, this is the class for you., regardless of age, ability or background.  It starts at 11.30 in the Crescent and lasts for an hour.  There’s a gentle warm up at the beginning and the chance to practise learning sequences of movements, then if you want to star you can always perform for the whole group.  Come and enjoy yourself.