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Snapshot Step Up Dance Project 2016 performance opens at Dance Limerick

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Snapshot poster photo by Maurice Gunning.

Step Up Dance Project 2016 culminates in the performance of Snapshot, a collection of short dance works, at Dance Limerick on Wednesday 24 August at 6pm.  Directed by renowned choreographer Lea Anderson, Snapshot will be performed by young contemporary dancers Millie Daniel-Dempsey, Sibéal Davitt, Lisa Hogan, Emily Kilkenny Roddy and Rachel Sheil.  The show will also tour to The Cube, at NUI Galway on Thursday 25th, Firkin Crane in Cork on Friday 26th and DanceHouse in Dublin on Saturday 27th August.  Admission free.

Inspired by superstars of dance, sport, screen and pop, Snapshot is a portfolio performance of short pieces which have emerged from an intense research period, analysing and sampling movement from footage and photos.  Assuming the role of dance historian, the choreographer and dancers have compiled, collated and confounded source material from iconic figures as diverse as Michael Jackson and Muhammed Ali to Martha Graham and Marilyn Monroe.  The result is a fascinating coming together of styles, rhythm and drama in a captivating dance theatre experience.

Step Up Dance Project aims to bridge the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice in Ireland.  Open to exceptional recent dance graduates, selected via open competition, Step Up is an intensive programme of classes, development, rehearsals and performance, directed by a guest choreographer.   The project is a partnership between the Arts Council, Dance Limerick, Dance Ireland and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL.


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Now in its sixth year, Step Up 2016 sees an expanded programme designed to enhance the participants’ professional networks by connecting them to the Irish contemporary dance community and thereby improve their professional opportunities in Ireland.  The new expanded Step Up programme includes the following elements are creation and performance, repertory programme, dancers as entrepreneurs and personal development.

Guest choreographer of Step Up 2016 Lea Anderson is Artistic Director of The Cholmondeleys and Featherstonehaughs, two of the foremost contemporary dance companies in the UK.  In 2002, Lea was awarded an MBE for her services to dance, and in 2006 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Dartington College of Arts.  In autumn 2014, she was appointed Regents Professor at the University of California in Los Angeles and is currently Artist in Residence at the Southbank Centre.  Her latest works include a performed exhibition of choreography and costume at The V & A Museum in London, a full-length theatrical piece, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Pans People Papers, an ongoing digital series with filmmaker Marisa Zanotti.  Lea recently choreographed How To Talk To Girls At Parties, the latest film directed by John Cameron Mitchell, based on the short story by Neil Gaiman, due for release in 2017.

Commenting on this year’s project, Jenny Traynor, Director of Dance Limerick and Producer of Step Up, says “Many young dancers from Ireland train abroad.  The Step Up programme is a wonderful opportunity for them to return and re-connect with the professional dance community here.  Participants work under the direction of a renowned choreographer, developing their technical and performance skills, and deepening their understanding of the creative process.  This is a great opportunity for any young dancer who has the drive, energy and initiative to succeed, and for the audience to witness some of our exceptional young talent.  All are welcome, so we’d love our Limerick audience to come and see what some of our best young dancers are up to!”

For further details from Dance Limerick check their website here.

For new on previous dance performances across Limerick from I Love Limerick click here.

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.