About LEAP 2010


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The autumn will feature many international highlights, in particular, Joel Hall Dancers from Chicago, led by artistic director Joel Hall, a regular visitor to Liverpool some 20 years ago, so we do hope that you will join us in welcoming him back and come and see his amazing performance of authentic jazz dance with stunning performers. We also have the wonderful Colin Dunne, of River Dance fame who will lead one of the two evening events promoting Irish work, supporting the Liverpool Irish Festival programme. We are delighted to be able to introduce Liverpool audiences to the work of New York City based Kyle Abraham. Kyle is fast becoming a major rising star in the contemporary dance world with his award winning style that mixes contemporary dance with ballet and hip hop (not to be missed!). Club Fisk from Denmark will give you the biggest laugh of the festival with their comic piece of dance genius, and we celebrate a collaboration with DaDaFest International 2010 and Homotopia in Guillermo Gomez Pena and Roberto Sifuentes’ politically charged piece Corpo Illicito.

As part of Black History Month in October we will present a community showcase and family dance day. We continue our support for artists in the region and the festival will feature a number of artists who have been awarded a 10 for 2010 dance commission from Culture Liverpool as we promote two evenings of work by Taciturn, co commission a new work by Darren Suarez and support House of Suarez’s ‘Runway, The Justice Ball’.

We continue to contribute to Liverpool’s Year of Health and Wellbeing by encouraging you all to get connected (come and see a show with a friend or family member) take notice (see how wonderful our venues are as the festival takes place across Merseyside) be active (dance your socks off at the MDI studio) keep learning (have a go at a new dance style and attend an event by an artist you haven’t seen before) and give (why not volunteer with MDI and give us a hand throughout the year). So, keep supporting dance and we look forward to seeing you at our many different events.

Karen Gallagher, Director MDI, on behalf of MDPN

Cathy Butterworth, Dance Programmer for Leap2010 MDI

MDI (Merseyside Dance Initiative) is a dance development agency of local, national and international significance, based in the NW of England. Set up to develop dance in Merseyside and beyond, MDI inspires people through dance to take part, create and see dance, working in partnership with artists, venues and others in an environment that is inclusive, supportive, challenging and innovative. Focusing on strengthening the dance sector, it nurtures and sustains a healthy dance culture, through contacts locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

A Regularly Funded Organisation of the Arts Council of England (ACE) and Liverpool City Council, MDI provides a strategic overview for dance development in the Merseyside region and beyond. MDI was established in 1993 following the success of the first LEAP Contemporary Dance Festival which took place in 1992. MDI was involved in developing the initial bid prior to the announcement of Liverpool's success in being named European Capital of Culture 2008.

MDI has worked in partnership with Liverpool Culture Company since 2003 to ensure the cultural impact of dance is fully represented in the city during 2008. MDPN (Merseyside Dance Promoters Network) was initiated in 2009 by MDI to work with all of the venues in the region to increase the presentation of dance across Merseyside offering more frequent opportunities to see the best of dance and to build new audiences and an increased and quality programme of all types of dance remains in the city. Liverpool Empire, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, The Bluecoat, Unity Theatre, Floral Pavilion, Rose Theatre, Black-E and Southport Arts Centre are all part of the network.

MDPN would like to thank companies, participants and artists taking part and supporting this year of dance in celebration of LEAP’s 18th anniversary and we are always grateful for the continued support of our funders especially Culture Liverpool and The Arts Council England. Thanks to the LEAP2010 team: Paul Blundell at RBA for the website design, Hazeldine-Coltas for the innovative print and brand design, Bill Elms at Bill Elms Associates for his Marketing and PR support and PR support, Fiona Hilton for technical management and thanks to Ithalia Forel the Education Co-ordinator. Finally, a big thank you to all the staff and board at MDI, MDPN and the participating venues.