Developed in partnership with Waterloo Arts and
Events Network and supported by Nike, this programme
incorporates community and after school hip hop
and streetdance classes with a specific focus
on the personal and social development of young
women. The programme has clearly identified the
power of streetdance for positive engagement when
handled sensitively and presented as an ongoing
package of education and empowerment opportunities.
The dance programme is now managed by London Active Communities who are a locally based organization and one of our partners’
Workshops
As part of a wider hip hop programme we run workshops
in secondary schools in Lambeth and Southwark for year
9 girls. For a whole day participants get to learn different
hip hop dance styles, learn about the history behind
the moves, participate in presentations on the media’s
representation of women in dance and sport, as well
as work with and learn from positive female role models
from both fields. The workshops have been developed
to encourage participation, engage the girls in critical
thinking and to empower and build confidence, not just
in school but in their day to day lives as well.
Identity and Image Workshop
Delivered in partnership with the British Film Institute,
this day brought together year 9 girls from Lilian Baylis
Technology School and Harris Girls’ Academy to
examine and images of women in dance (in particular
hip hop) and sport. Presentations were given and discussions
led by experts in this area including Jacqueline Springer,
cultural theorist and broadcaster and expert in hip
hop culture, Hanifa Queen Hudson, UK’s original
B-Girl, Video Commissioner John Hassey, and Nike Dance
Athlete Kymberlee Jay. The second half of the day involved
participants choreographing and filming their own dance
piece as shown on the accompanying DVD.
The day provided those involved with the following:
An increased understanding of the representation
of women in media & film
Extended knowledge of the history and heritage
of hip hop
Increased critical thinking and debating skills
An understanding of the basic skills required to
create a dance film
Josephine Baker Film Project
In partnership with the British Film Institute, this
project involved a series of workshops focusing on Josephine
Baker, a cultural icon of immense importance as one
of the first black performers to impact on the European
cultural scene, and who became the most famous and highest
paid woman of her time.
Participants went on to work with experienced choreographers
and film-makers resulting in the creation of their own
tribute to Josephine Baker entitled ‘Dixieland’.
