With a diverse background in dance, activism and education, Tamara is keen on further developing the organization’s presence in innovation and interdisciplinary practice.

“I’m thrilled to be joining DanceDigital at a very exciting time in the organisation’s development and remit.” says Tamara.  “With the explosion in digital practice in dance and the increasing availability of affordable technology, I believe we can bring dance to a much wider audience and encourage more people to see it and more people to become involved.”

DanceDigital already uses digital practice to promote archive and current work and Tamara will be looking at the latest technology to expand what the organisation can offer to associate artists, to the local community in both Essex and Hertfordshire (the two counties served by DD) and to up and coming dancers, choreographers, directors, producers.

“One of my ambitions for DanceDigital is to connect the community with the professionals and really have an integrated programme of fluid exchange between people from different backgrounds and expertise; what we offer should be as relevant to the young person who’s just starting in dance to the experienced professional.”

Based in Chelmsford, Essex, DanceDigital (formerly essexdance) actively promotes and trains dance practitioners in the development of performance works that use sound, light, interactive video technology and bespoke computer programming as well as social and mobile technological interfaces.

DanceDigital will be looking to raise sponsorship to invest in studio facilities and new technology; new equipment is vital to keep up with advances in digital environments that make use of image, sound, video and software programmes. In this way DanceDigital’s future role as a hub for innovation and creativity in dance and technology will be assured.  “I’m so excited by companies who are now making dance films on their mobile phones and sending it to friends via facebook,” says Tamara. “It just shows what you can do and how many new audiences you can reach with a little knowledge of technology.”

DanceDigital will also continue to produce site specific work by supporting the development of imaginative performance designed to redefine the public’s perception of dance.  Railway stations, shopping centres, kerbside cafes – all will be considered for the staging of dance in the next twelve months.  “I’m particularly impressed by KMA whose installations in town centres focuses on illuminating and developing interactions between people in public spaces using projected light,” says Tamara.  “With the explosion of technology and the escalating convergence of dance, art, theatre and music, DD will increasingly be at the forefront of this artistic, cultural and technical world.”

The sessions will provide you with all you need to know about the Showcase, covering:

• Showcase objectives, intentions and format
• information on eligibility, criteria, completing the application form
• the selection process

Follow the links below to read more about the event, the Artist’s information sessions and to download an application.

http://www.decibelpas.com

http://www.decibelpas.com/showcase-2011/artists-information-sessions/

There are three opportunities to join classes:

1. Daily Morning Class. For Professionals, Graduates & Vocational students only.2. Adult Open Class3. Intensive Weekend ‘Lab’

For more details http://www.randomdance.org/news/far_open_classes

The three days include;

· Daily classes in Ballet and Contemporary techniques.

· Learning and development of Repertoire, Choreography and Body Conditioning.

· Discussions and advice on future careers in dance.

Mon 16th, Weds 18th, Thurs 19th August 2010.

10.00am – 3.00pm.
Create Dance Studio, 8 Eckersley Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM11SL.

Led by Robert Gentle.
£30.00 per person– This is a reduced rate subsidised by Youth Dance
England East and Chelmsford Borough Council.

Places are limited. Participants must have some dance experience.
Please contact 01245 346036 or email robert.gentle@dancedigital.org.uk

Rehearsals will commence early February 2011.

Deadline for applications: 16th July 2010 (auditions will take place at the end of July).

Please click here for details on how to apply.

We have 3 commissions of £7,000 each available. We are also recruiting 2 new Associate Artists; one to be resident in Essex and one in Hertfordshire. Our Artist Bursary programme makes £1,500 available to an emerging artist.

We are interested in work that: -

- is interactive
- is concerned with the creation of new choreographies, dance, movement practices or deals with issues of embodiment
- is site-specific or mobile
- engages with its audience
- is live/performative
- is a new work/approach for the artist

We welcome proposals from solo artists, collaborators and groups. We also welcome interdisciplinary proposals that may draw together practitioners from multiple disciplines.

The Deadline for Submissions is 5pm Friday 13 August with interviews taking place at the beginning of September.
You can download further information on our current research theme ‘Digital Environments’ together with submissions forms for each call in the links below.

DanceDigital Information Sheet – Call for Submissions June 2010 (PDF)
DanceDigital Information Sheet – Call for Submissions June 2010 (Word)

Commissions Submission Form (PDF)
Commissions Information Sheet (Word)

Associate Artists Submission Form (PDF)
Associate Artists Information Sheet (Word)

Artist Bursary Submission Form PDF
Artist Bursary Information Sheet (Word)

The search is open to all choreographers over the age of 18.

Artistic Directors Michael Nunn & William Trevitt will shortlist 5 individuals who will each get to spend a day working with the company. After a short presentation at the end of the week, one choreographer will be commissioned to create a new work.

If you would like to be considered, then please submit a DVD containing an extract of your work (no longer than 5 minutes in length) with an accompanying CV to Tim Morris at:

Balletboyz

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Rosebery Avenue

London EC1R 4TN

Alternately, you can upload an example of your work to YouTube and email the link along with your CV to tim@balletboyz.com

If short listed, you will be required to work in the studio with the company for one day the week commencing October 11 2010. The eventual commission will be created during the rehearsal period of October 18, 2010 to January 23, 2011.

The deadline for entry is Friday 27 August 2010.

Go to the DanceDigital Vimeo Channel

Anyone who is interested and involved in youth dance can join the dance group. Whether you are a dance practitioner, artist, teacher in or out of school or simply want to be connected to youth dance, this is for you.

The DNG is a virtual network group that exists to support anoyone working for or with young people in the eastern region. Youth Dance England, the national organisation that Champians dance for children and young people.

On the 16 March 2010, DanceDigital created a storm at the Chelmsford Civic Theatre. The performance programme offered a variety of dance works, showcasing the best independent dance groups from Chelmsford and Essex.

What made this a community dance showcase, was the gathering of people from across a broad geographical base, with a mix of age and ability and we wish all the groups who took part in the evening a huge thank you!

Robert Gentle, Dance Development Worker and highly valued member of the DanceDigital team, showed off his talents in pulling together a showcase that ran like clockwork. From the beginning to the end of the day, all participants were ready on stage, meeting all performance queues and performing the fantastic choreographies that their dance teachers had skillfully created.

The dance groups included Hip-Hop, Street, Contemporary, Egyptian Belly Dance and Chinese Ribbon. The standard of work and immense energies and enthusiasm of all the teachers was visible in the level of technical ability displayed by all dancers on stage. The night could challenge that of a West-End production, in the professionalism, stage skills, technical proficiency, excitement in dance, team work and commitment to the arts.

What will next year hold? The possibilities for future collaborations with all of the schools, teachers and students leaves us waiting in great anticipation.

Before signing off, DanceDigital want to say a huge thank you to the Chelmsford Civic theatre staff and to all of the technical crew who made the event possible. Thank you for adding the final and major stages to this showcase and accommodating all of the individual needs that were required throughout the day.

Below are a few comments received from participants involved in the performance. You can leave your own on the SpringBlast performance page.

If you would like to get involved with future performances or simply want to find a dance class near you, check out our new website and find your place in dance.

Comments from the night:

“ Wow what a night! Well done everyone for an electric and entertaining night. Here’s to next year.”

“What a fantastic show, displaying such an array of talent and professionalism.
All acts worked fantastically well together and created a buzz.”
“Well done to all dancers and teachers for making Essex demonstrate how fantastic and current dance can be.”

“Spring Blast. Amazing acts, really high quality. Great to see so many young lads performing to such a high standard. A greater variety of styles would be good.

Really enjoyed the performance – what a lot of skilled dancers/teachers you have!”