We’re thrilled that Leeds Inspired is supporting a new community of people to engage with the core themes of Performing Gender, our international enquiry into dance, gender and activism. Gender is, of course, a burning topical issue and one ideally suitable for dance to tackle.

Through a series of taster workshops, local Leeds enthusiasts from the LGBT+ community can explore issues around gender, identity, activism and dance. We are particularly interested in working with a mixed group of people of different age, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities and disabilities and cultural backgrounds.

Volunteers who want to take it further will come together as a group to exchange ideas, discussion and movement with artists from Spain, The Netherlands, Italy and Slovenia in an informal and fun environment as well as explore their own creative response to the key themes.

They will commit to 3 workshops in May – June and another 3 workshops in the autumn, with the option to put together a short dance work for an informal sharing in October when Performing Gender comes back to Leeds.

We’ve found out quite how transformative it can be to dance together whilst working with the LGBT+ community in Hull in 2017:

“Never danced before, this has been a wonderful experience making new friends and a new urge to dance!”

“I am so much more confident in my abilities now. [It] has made me see a beautiful part of the LGBT+ community that has opened my eyes.”

“I had a fantastic experience, I enjoyed every minute, rehearsals and performances. I’m so proud of being part of this!”

“My experience was such an amazing experience it’s taught me how to be myself, it’s had such a positive impact on me and it brought me out of my shell and I met loads of amazing people.”

“Mixing with other persons that identify as LGBT+. I have always shied away from doing so thinking that would only compound my feeling of ‘otherness’ rather than allow me a chance to explore even celebrate it.”

To join Gender Moves or to find out more, please contact Kirsty Redhead

kirstyredhead@yorkshiredance.com

0113 243 8765