Jones the Dance has announced that they will be creating a professionally made dance film with young dancers from across mid Wales, as part of their project Jones Bach, and with d/Deaf young dancers from South Wales as part of their project Quiet Beats; both arms of Jones the Dance’s Young Company. The short films will be shot by filmmakers Erin Draper and Sam Irving and will tour across Wales this Spring with the company's new interactive dance film and live show Y Dewis.
Jones the Dance Young Company has two strands, which both aim to create outstanding dance opportunities to those with least access. Jones Bach for rurally isolated young people in Powys and Quiet Beats, the strand for d/Deaf young people in South Wales.
The activities this half term will be led by leading Welsh Dance Artists Eli Williams, Jake Nwogu, and Amber Howells and supported by BSL performer Sarah Adadedji. The young people will create the films over half term at The Hafren in Newtown and at Rubicon in Cardiff, with audiences having the chance to see their work on the big screen in local and national venues from 19th April and 19th May.
“This collaborative week-long dance film project will give members of our young company a chance to create something that will encapsulate their individuality as performers. They will have authorship over what is produced to celebrate them as creative young artists. It is always a joy to see the growth in each member throughout the half terms that we spend together within their confidence, creativity and ability. This creative outlet is such a valuable opportunity for them to enrich their journey as young dancers in a supportive environment whilst gaining insight into the professional industry.” -Eli Williams, Dance Officer
Jones Bach and Quiet Beats bring transformational dance experiences to benefits of contemporary dance to rurally isolated and D/deaf young people aged between 7-16, who may have not yet been able to experience professionally led dance opportunities like this locally. Young people are enabled to explore their creativity, experience physical freedom and develop confidence, guided by leading Welsh dancers.
“It’s like being part of a community, you feel like family and get to make new friends…it’s really creative” - Participant 2023
“It gives me a place of freedom…it opens up opportunities, its a head start if we want to do this in the future when we are older”- Participant 2023
“I don’t get many opportunities to dance and its important so I can express myself, its so fun to stand up and have a little dance, even if your not very good at it…I don’t think there is anything else I could ask for”-Participant 2023
Both groups will run throughout the February Half Term holiday from Monday 12th to Friday 16th February from 9:30-11:30 (3:00 for older ones) at The Hafren in Newtown or Rubicon in Cardiff. Young people can sign up for the first day only and see how they like it or sign up for the whole week. Filming will take place on Thursday and Friday. There are still places left, for those who are interested in joining and being part of making this new film can sign up via the company’s website.
Booking for Jones Bach via the Hafren Website
Booking for Quiet Bets via the Jones the Dance website
Speaking about the projects Gwyn Emberton, Artistic Director and founder of Jones the Dance said “My ambitions for both of these groups is rooted in my own experience as a young person growing up in Mid Wales. I didn’t know that dance even existed, that it was an option for me and especially that you could make a career out of it. This hasn’t changed so much in the many years since. I am excited to see how the young people develop over the next year and how far these two projects can go in the future and am really grateful for the support of Arts Council of Wales and our partners for believing in this work.”
Jones the Dance is offering 15 travel bursaries between both groups for young people for whom travel costs are prohibitive. Booking is open for both programmes at https://www.jonesthedance.com/youth-dance-initiatives.
For enquiries contact Jones the Dance producer Kama Roberts via email at info_and_admin@jonesthedance.com
Jones the Dance wants to thank Arts Council Wales and the National Grid for supporting the work.