IRIE! Dance theatre’s FLOW event will take place on Saturday 24 March 2012. The event kicks off at 11:00am and runs until 05:00pm.

FLOW is an event for all family members to enjoy. The event will include workshops/classes in storytelling, African Dance, Caribbean Dance, Mask Making and Drumming. Plus there will be face-painting for children and for the young-at-heart.

There will also be performances by the children from IRIE!’s After-School Club, the Dance Foundation Degree Students, connectingvibes* and JAMMDRUMM – IRIE! dance theatre’s drumming ensemble who gave their debut performance at IRIE!’s AGM last December.

Admission for the whole day is just £5.00 for families (i.e. 2 adults and 2 children) or just £3.00 for individuals.

Places on the workshops are limited and so if you’re interested in attending this event and taking part in the workshops personally or interested in your children taking part in the workshops please either telephone IRIE! On 020 8691 6099 to register your interest or send us an email using the form below:

The dance company “connectingvibes*” was created during the millennium year following an invitation to perform for the National Dance Festival of Grenada. Since that time the company has completed 9 national tours presenting a fusion of African, Caribbean and Contemporary dance.

Now, connectingvibes* is poised to launch its 10th season of dance theatre called “When in Doubt…” on Thursday 23 February.

“When in Doubt…” consists of four (4) pieces:

No Lasagne

The piece takes a humorous look at our everyday and potentially life changing choices and asks you to consider the question:

“How much would you sacrifice to reach your goal?”

It will also feature the work of independent filmmaker Solveiga Serova who is making her debut with connectingvibes*.

By All Means Necessary

This returning piece is a favourite by Sheika Edwards, a graduate from the Dance Foundation Degree run in partnership with IRIE! dance theatre, City and Islington College and London Metropolitan University. It looks at whether or not you have ruthlessness and bravery to identify and eliminate the things that no longer have a place in your life.

Waiting For…

some people wait forever for the ‘Big Moment’, the ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’, while others refuse to wait preferring to take destiny in their own hands.

Breeze Easy

This piece was originally created for “Connecting Vibes USA” – a company that was founded in 2011 and which heralds the start of an exciting transatlantic relationship. The piece was restaged for ADAD’s Bloom festival at the Southbank Centre in September 2011.

The work represents a fusion of contemporary and traditional movement demonstrating the flow, versatility and grounding inherent in the movement language of Caribbean dance.

We do hope you can make one of these performances. Simply call the Box Office to book your tickets and, if you’re interested in having the company present a dance workshop for your school, college or other organization you can also call the box office or complete our Contact Form to send us an email.

Summary of “When in Doubt…” Launch Details

Launch Date: Thursday 23 February 2012
Performance Times: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Second Date: Friday 24 February
Performance Time: 7:30pm
Venue: City & Islington College, Centre For Business Arts and Technology, 444 Camden Rd, N7 OS
Tickets: £5/£3 concs.
Box Office: 020 7700 8601

IRIE! dance theatre’s Dance Yourself Fit Classes at Moonshot Centre start again on Monday 09 January and for this week you can try out any of the classes for FREE!

Improving your health and fitness is likely to be on your list of New Year’s Resolutions. Dancing is an excellent way to help you achieve this goal and the best part is that you’ll have loads of fun at the same time.

We have Caribbean Dance with Sheba Monsterrat on Mondays from 7:00-8:00pm, African Dance with Charles Maema on Fridays from 7:00-8:30pm and Zumba with Awa Ginet-Jones on Mondays from 8:00-9:00pm.

It’s also likely that reducing your stress levels and improving your flexibility are also among your goals. Well, IRIE!’s Dance Yourself Fit program also includes Pilates with Nickolove Lovemore. Pilates is a great way to improve your flexibility (and strength) while helping you to relax and unwind. You can also sample the Pilates class.

If you’d like to take advantage of our FREE offer you just need to book the classe(s) you want to try out in advance by either calling IRIE! on 020 8691 6099 or by completing the contact form below.

Classes are normally £5 per session so do take advantage of this special offer.

Wishing you great health and fitness in 2012!

In January 2012 IRIE! dance theatre will be launching a new initiative to support elders in the community. The company is therefore inviting older people aged 55+ to join its Elders’ Forum.

The Forum will give local elders a platform to:

1. Discuss how they feel about their local community, and
2. Engage in arts and or training activities to promote well-being and neighbourliness.

An individual who will play a key role in the development of this forum is Desmond Clarke – someone who has served voluntarily on the management committee of several community organizations, and statutory agencies for over 30 years.

He founded the Kon-Kon-Te Group which specialises in quadrille dancing. The group also researches Black History and presents plays based on their findings. Kon-Kon-Te performs regularly at festival events. Over the years, IRIE! dance theatre has done several projects with Kon-Kon-Te.

If you are interested in joining the forum please use the contact form below to email us.

Alternatively, if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining our Elders’ Forum please help us spread the word.

IRIE! dance theatre will be hosing it’s AGM on Wednesday 14 December 2011. Following this formal event there will be performances by connectingvibes* and JAMMDRUM.

The connectingvibes* dance company is a collaborative project between IRIE! dance theatre and City & Islington College. The company is currently rehearsing for a new show that will be officially launched in the New Year. However, as part of this special event you have the opportunity to watch a “work-in-progress”.

JAMMDRUM is a new ensemble comprised of Master Musicians of African and Caribbean heritage:

• Charles James
• Etienne Joseph
• Joseph Ngala
• Oginga Osaze aka Ras Happa
• Zozo Shuaibu

These musicians are integral to the work of IRIE! dance theatre. They are involved in our workshops in schools and colleges, our master classes and the Dance Foundation Degree program and performances.

The drummers bring a wealth of experience to the company and to this ensemble. As well as being involved with IRIE! dance theatre, these drummers have also worked with Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble, Sakoba, L’Acadco (Jamaica) and the Stella Morris Dance Ensemble to name a few.

They decided to form the drumming ensemble as a means to further enhance their skills as well as provide another outlet for their creativity and passion. JAMMDRUM’s vision is to “connect the traditional percussive pulses of Africa with their reflections found in the Caribbean with a healthy dose of inspired improvisation”.

Thus far, they have composed five (5) separate drumming/percussion pieces which they will perform on 14 December 2011.

IRIE!’s AGM is scheduled for 6:00-6:45pm with the performances by JAMMDRUM and connectingvibes* starting at 7:00pm.

While these performances are free to attend, if you would like to attend please either give us a call on 020 8691 6099 or send us an email using the Contact Form so that we can have an estimate of numbers.  Please indicate whether you wish to attend the AGM, the performances or both.

We do hope that you’ll be able to join us for this special event.