SCOTLAND’S only inclusive dance festival opens this week featuring companies from countries across the world.
Gathered Together 2024 boasts a diverse array of inclusive dance performances and workshops, with artists from Australia, Colombia, England, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, South Korea, and Sweden.
Taking place at Glasgow’s Tramway, it includes a highly physical performance by Barrowland Ballet which explores the rules of masculinity understood by the “wee men” and older men in the cast. Wee Man is accompanied by a sound score by composer Luke Sutherland with text by Glaswegian poet Kevin P Gilday.
There is contemporary dance and flamenco in award-winning Encuentros and a piece by Evie Waddell which explores movement influenced by her own minority languages – Gaelic, BSL and Scots – and the cultural practices and contexts that come with them.
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The festival culminates with a ceilidh featuring ceilidh band Point Five.
In addition to performances, Gathered Together 2024 will host workshops and presentations from some of the world leaders in inclusive dance.
Festival administrator Dawn Hartley said: “We’re delighted that all the brilliant performers will generously share their artistic practice with the Scottish dance community.
“The performance and workshop programme for Gathered Together includes guest artists who are travelling specially to share their expertise. In challenging times, artists continue to create, share and support one another. As well as gathering together, we continue to reach out.”
The festival – the only one of its kind in Scotland – is curated by Indepen-dance, a leading inclusive dance development company based in the East End of Glasgow.
“Indepen-dance is rooted in the wider cultural ecology of Scotland and is an exemplar of quality, professionalism, artistic aspiration and ambition, with 28 years’ experience of delivering a core programme of dance for all ages and abilities as well as training, outreach work, performances and touring work locally, nationally and internationally,” said Indepen-dance artistic director Karen Anderson MBE.
Among the companies travelling to Scotland to take part in the festival is New Zealand’s Jolt Dance Company.
Artistic director Lyn Cotton said: “Jolt is incredibly excited to be part of Gathered Together 2024.
“The diversity of the festival, welcoming people from all over the world and offering such rich content is exceptional. It is a reflection of the commitment Indepen-dance has to raising the profile of inclusive performance. We are proud to share our work on behalf of Aotearoa, but also look forward to being inspired and connecting with others amazing performers.”
The festival begins on Wednesday and runs until Saturday.
For information and booking of workshops, visit: www.eventbrite.com/cc/gathered-together-2024-workshops-3429509
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