Candoco Dance Company Hosts Open Week Across London and Brighton

Candoco throws open its doors for a half-term week of participation, performance and discussion for dancers, teachers, young people, families and the public.

London and Brighton, 10th--19th February

With performances from the main company alongside open rehearsals, training sessions and family workshops, this February half-term brings Candoco's 25th Anniversary to an exciting close, demonstrating every strand of the leading inclusive Dance Company's work in action.

A highlight of the London programme will be an Evening In Conversation with Candoco's co-founder Celeste Dandeker-Arnold and Siobhan Davies. This discussion is a free event chaired by Luke Pell, reflecting on their respective and shared histories in contemporary dance and choreography and how these fields have changed over time in the UK (15 Feb). Other free events during the week include a Cando2 Taster Workshop (18 Feb), a family workshop at Royal Festival Hall (19 Feb), Open Rehearsals and Open Classes (15-16 Feb), and an Open Day at Candoco's offices in Islington that will provide a glimpse behind the scenes of a Dance Company (14 Feb).

For dancers and teachers there are full day training events, and Candoco performances in both Brighton and London will be accompanied by workshops. Auditions for two new main company members will also be taking place 10-11 Feb.

At Brighton Dome on 17 Feb, Candoco presents CounterActs, the work that kicked off its 25th birthday year, choreographed by Hetain Patel and Alexander Whitley. A double bill combining mischievous questions and virtuosic performance, CounterActs uses text to create unique and visceral experiences for audiences, moving fluidly between English, French and BSL. The following day, the company will offer a special workshop suitable for all levels of dance experience exploring some of the themes that emerge from CounterActs (CounterActs Workshop, 18 Feb)

Executive Director Jo Towler said, "We are celebrating the end of our 25th birthday year by providing many opportunities to join in with Candoco life, rather than hosting a party for invited guests, in keeping with our belief that anyone can be involved in dance. From taking part in class and workshops to hearing from our co-founder and watching us perform, there's something for everyone so we can all celebrate together #whatdancecanbe"

Since 1991, Candoco Dance Company has created stimulating and challenging work with an inclusive company of disabled and non-disabled dancers. Working with world-leading choreographers, Candoco aims to disrupt the genre, changing perceptions of what dance is and who can dance. The Open Week comes ahead of the recently announced departure of Artistic Co-Directors Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado.

@candocodance | #whatdancecanbe | www.candoco.co.uk

13 Feb Dancer Development Day

Following the success of Beheld, Alexander Whitley's new work for Candoco Dance Company, Alexander will lead a day exploring musicality for dancers at various stages in their professional career and who want to enjoy a creative day with Candoco and other like-minded dancers. Suitable for professionals or dancers in post-graduate training. Disabled and non-disabled dancers welcome.

Froebel College, University of Roehampton, Roehampton Lane, LondonSW15 5PU

11am-5pm | £30

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7704 6845

14 Feb Teacher Training Day

Our one day Teacher Training offers teachers and dance artists an insight and practical experience into Candoco's inclusive teaching methods. We encourage participants to focus on the fundamentals of their own teaching practice, explore adaptation and technique and use of language. Our Teacher Training encourages participants to: QUESTION perceptions of what best practice and inclusive teaching might be; DEVELOP skills, communication and confidence in working with a diverse class; INSPIRE each other to ask new questions and find new ways of working; and NURTURE creativity so that students and colleagues have the best chance of achieving their potential. Led by Company dancers and suitable for participants with an experience in teaching and/or a keen interest in developing teaching skills. All participants will be asked to teach each other during the workshop to allow learning to be put into practice.

University of Roehampton, Erasmus House, Roehampton Ln, London SW15 5PU

11am-5pm | £50

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7704 6845

Half Term Scheme Workshop

As part of JW3's February Half Term Scheme, join Candoco Dance Company for a fun and creative workshop that explores movement. Workshops suitable for ages 5 - 11 years. Visit the JW3 website for full details and to book.

JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET

10am-4pm | £35 per child (£28 early bird)

www.jw3.org.uk | 020 7433 8988

Open Office

Candoco is opening the office doors of its HQ in Islington to provide an insight into the administration of a Dance Company. Visitors can hear what opportunities there are behind the scenes as well as ask advice around issues such as marketing and touring.

Board room, 2pm-3pm

Hear how the team in the Candoco office support its activity and get an insight into how a Dance Company operates. What exactly is 'Development', how do we book a tour and how do we look after the financial side of operations?

Office, 3pm-4pm

Meet the team in the Candoco office and chat to them about their position in the company and their journey of how they came to do that job.

Candoco Dance, 2T Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP

2-4pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk| 020 7704 6845

15 Feb Open Rehearsal

A rare opportunity to observe Candoco Dance Company rehearse Hetain Patel's Let's Talk about Dis ahead of its performance at Brighton Dome.

Siobhan Davies Studios,85 St George's Road, London, SE1 6ER United Kingdom

3pm - 5pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7704 6845

In Conversation: Celeste Dandeker-Arnold and Siobhan Davies

2017 marks 25 years of Candoco Dance Company, 29 years of Siobhan Davies Dance and 11 years of Siobhan Davies Studios. Join Celeste Dandeker-Arnold and choreographer and artistic director Siobhan Davies in conversation with Luke Pell as they reflect upon their shared histories. Looking back to their first meeting in 1968, performing alongside one another in London Contemporary Dance Theatre, to founding their respective companies, as well as their innovative influences in dance and the re-imagining of those organisations over the past decade. Two pioneers of British Dance come together to share an evening of film, friendship, memory and imagination.

Siobhan Davies Studios,85 St George's Road, London, SE1 6ER United Kingdom

7pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7091 9650

16 Feb Open Company Class

Join Candoco Dance Company for professional morning class in preparation for its performance at Brighton Dome. These classes are suitable for disabled and non-disabled dancers with some dance/movement experience.

Aspire National Training Centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4AP United Kingdom

10.45am -12.15pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7704 6845

A rare opportunity to observe Candoco Dance Company rehearse Hetain Patel's Let's Talk about Dis ahead of its performance at Brighton Dome.

Aspire National Training Centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4AP United Kingdom

12.15-1.30pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7704 6845

17 Feb CounterActs

An evening of commissions from two of the most exciting artistic talents working in the UK today .Alexander Whitley has swiftly become known for his strikingly physical and virtuosic choreography. In Beheld, his new commission for Candoco set to music by composer Nils Frahm, seven dancers explore the possibilities and constraints of the space around them, forming and reforming to consider how we look and what we see.

Visual artist Hetain Patel's Let's Talk About Dis is a playful and intimate piece that builds on an exploration of the dancers' personalities and bodies, interrogating questions of what identity is and how it is formed. With seductive charm, Hetain challenges audiences to think beyond surface appearances, exposing hidden prejudices and absurd political correctness.

Brighton DomeConcert Hall Church Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1UD
7.30pm | £15-£10

brightondome.org/ | 01273 709709

18 Feb CounterActs Workshop

On 18 February 2017, the day after the performance of CounterActs, Candoco's dancers will be running workshops at Brighton Dome. Join the company for a practical insight into themes from CounterActs. Participants will explore elements from Alexander Whitley's Beheld and Hetain Patel's Let's Talk About Dis. The workshops are suitable for disabled and non disabled individuals of 18 years and is suitable for all levels of dance experience. It will be creative, fun and an opportunity to experience Candoco's inclusive approach.

Brighton Dome Concert Hall Church Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1UD
11am-1pm | £12 (£8 concessions)

brightondome.org/ | 01273 709709

Cando2 Taster Workshop

Experience a fun, creative and energetic taster workshop with Cando2 artists and dancers, and find out more about Cando2, Candoco's youth Dance Company. Cando2 runs two weekly dance classes for disabled and non-disabled young people and provides young dancers with an opportunity to create high quality work with Candoco Artists and guest choreographers, as well as perform at venues and festivals across the UK. The taster workshop will offer an opportunity to experience what it's like to be part of Cando2 and is suitable for disabled and non-disabled young people, aged 13-25. No dance experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and creativity!

The Place, 17 Duke's Road, London, WC1H 9PY United Kingdom

11am-3pm | Free (ticketed)

www.candoco.co.uk/events/ | 020 7121 1100

19 Feb Leaps and Bounds Family Workshop

Join Candoco Dance Company for an afternoon of fun and accessible workshops for all the family as part of Southbank Centre's Imagine Children's Festival. The free dance workshops are fully accessible for children with and without disabilities, their families, carers and friends and are British Sign Language-interpreted. Leaps and Bounds is Southbank Centre's programme of inclusive events for disabled and non-disabled children aged 5 - 11, and their families.

Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre

1pm | Free

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk | 020 7960 4200

CounterActs Creative Credits

Company

Megan Armishaw, Toke BroniStrandby, Joel Brown, Tanja Erhart, Adam Gain, Andrew Graham and Laura Patay

Let's Talk About Dis

Concept, Choreography and Direction by Hetain Patel Written by Hetain Patel with the Company

Dramaturgy by EvA Martinez Lighting Design by Jackie Shemesh

Associate Choreography by Lorena Randi Costume Design by Valentina Golfieri

Choir Consultancy by Dom Stichbury

BSL Interpretation by fingersmiths: Jean St Clair and Jeni Draper

Beheld

Concept, Choreography & Directionby Alexander Whitley
Set and Costume Design by Jean-Marc Puissant

Lighting Design by Jackie Shemesh
Original music by NilsFrahm, reworked by Rutger Zuydervelt

CounterActs: Hetain Patel's Let's Talk About Dis is co-commissioned by artsdepot and supported by supported by Cockayne and The London Community Foundation. Alexander Whitley's new work is co-commissioned by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

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