Liverpool’s dance scene has been given a much-needed boost after 15 new dance commissions were awarded funding. The Culture Liverpool Dance Creative Commission received more than 40 submissions, with a combined £400 to £2,500 awarded to selected artists. The new pieces will debut at the Leap Dance Festival next month – the first festival since the pandemic began.
The new commissions are diverse, with several new dance pieces showcasing Liverpool’s rich cultural and dance heritage. Finding Refuge is a spoken word and dance piece that tells the stories of Liverpool’s asylum seeker community, while Dockside Breakers celebrates the city’s hip hop and breakdancing culture. Seagull Lake is a light-hearted take on Swan Lake, featuring elements of folk dance and comedy, and even making an appearance are Liverpool’s iconic purple wheelie bins!
One of the new commissions, by performance artist Rowena Gander, is an untitled exploration of lesbian identity, relationships and experiences, and House of Suarez is working on an as yet unnamed project that celebrates queer vogue culture. Details of all the successful commissions can be found on the Culture Liverpool website.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture at Liverpool City Council, says the high-quality submissions made judging difficult, but he is proud of the final list, which covers a broad range of themes and will undoubtedly result in a rich and thought-provoking showcase at the festival. The Leap Dance Festival takes place from 26 April to 10 May.
The funding was made possible thanks to a partnership between the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Liverpool City Council. The festival will feature professional dance, community performance platforms and dancing in the streets. The director of Leap Dance Festival said he is delighted that Liverpool could support local artists during this uncertain time and is excited to see the finished works
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