23/03/2010
Belfast based arts and disability company Open Arts will host a dance development day in Omagh as part of Luminous Soul, a three year disability dance project, in the Strule Arts Centre on Wednesday 24th March 2010. Through a series of regional dance workshops disabled people across Northern Ireland will train with some of the UK’s most talented professional tutors.
Open Arts is one of six organisations to have received funding through Legacy Trust UK. Managed by the Arts Council, the £1.78 million Connections programme has been set up to help build a cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and will see a series of sport and arts linked events taking place across Northern Ireland over the course of the next three years.
Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading exponent of inclusive dance practice, London based Candoco Dance Company will provide the tuition for the Omagh workshop.
Kate Ingram from Open Arts says they are keen to hear from local people interested in taking part: “Through Luminous Soul we hope to identify and train disabled people who have real potential to dance in a professional company or to be dance teachers. This is the first time disabled people in Northern Ireland have been offered an opportunity of this sort.”
Dugald Mackie, Chair of the Legacy Trust, said: “The Games are about more than sport. They are a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of people across the world. We believe that these projects will inspire and encourage people throughout Northern Ireland to get involved and will leave a lasting legacy for the region.”
How to get involved: To launch the first step in Omagh’s involvement with Luminous Soul, Open Arts is hosting a dance development day on Wednesday 24th March 2010 in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Further dance days and a residential course will follow in a number of locations across Northern Ireland.
For more information contact Open Arts on: 028 9031 2515.
