September 2015
BELFAST DANCE COMPANY HOST RETURN TO NORTHERN IRELAND OF CHOREOGRAPHER ELEESHA DRENNAN.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK?
Belfast contemporary dance company, Maiden Voyage return with a new commission Tipping Point from Choreographer Eleesha Drennan accompanied by original music from Belfast composer Colin Reid. Tipping Point is as part of Maiden Voyage’s Dance Exposed programme that takes dance into public spaces.
Tipping Point is a fast-paced trio about the loss of control, how we deal with interruptions to our intended path and what it feels like to be on the cliff edge. The piece will be performed in the Ulster Museum as part of the 2015 European Heritage Open Days on 13 September at 12noon and 1:30pm, will then kick off Culture Night Lisburn on Friday 18 September at 1:30pm at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn, before heading to Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter to delight Culture Night Belfast visitors at the MAC’s Upper Gallery on Friday 18 September at 6pm and 7pm.
Drennan, daughter of popular local musician Willie Drennan, studied performing arts at Belfast Metropolitan College before completing her training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and McMahon School of Ballet. She is a multi-award winning choreographer and has had an illustrious career as an integral member of National Dance Company Wales for ten years, becoming House Choreographer in 2011. Eleesha is recipient of the Sky Academy Arts Scholarship 2014 and is now a freelance dancer and choreographer based in London.
Maiden Voyage Artistic Director, Nicola Curry, is excited about the opportunity
“I am delighted to have Eleesha and Colin, two award-winning artists with such rich local connections, collaborate to create Tipping Point for our Dance Exposed programme. Performing in public spaces allows people to experience dance up close to the action and with Colin’s composition played live you all be on the edge of your seat as this thrilling performance unfolds.”
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council, said:
“At the Arts Council we believe the arts are for everyone and should be accessible to everyone. These three free performances offer a fantastic opportunity to experience contemporary dance by two of our finest artists.”
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan said:
“My Department is working alongside Maiden Voyage as part of the 2015 European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) on 12 and 13 September. This weekend is all about showcasing the importance that built heritage has in our daily lives and making it accessible for all.
“The merger of contemporary dance against the backdrop of the Ulster Museum will animate a building full of history, encouraging visitors to look at it in a new way. I particularly welcome Maiden Voyage’s audio description service for dance performances as it increases accessibility and enhances the visitor experience for people with sight loss.
“I encourage everyone to enjoy this and over 400 free property openings and events that are taking place across the North during the EHOD weekend. Young or old, on your doorstep or further afield there is something for everyone. Check out http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/ehod to plan your EHOD activity.”
For more information visit www.maidenvoyagedance.com.
March 2015
20 March 2015.
Charity responds to latest death from homelessness in Belfast.
Extern, the leading social justice Charity has responded to the death of another person from homelessness in Belfast over the weekend. The Charity provides a homeless support service, which is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in conjunction with Supporting People and the Belfast Trust. A dedicated social work outreach team provides specialist assessment and intensive support to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and who have additional needs relating to mental and physical health, substance use, learning disability, offending, families and asylum.
Commenting on the latest death of a young female who was homeless, Danny McQuillan, Director of Supporting Communities, said:
“The latest report of a young woman dying yesterday in Belfast City Centre is another tragedy for people who are homeless. We really need urgent steps to address this issue - one death on our streets is one too many. Since April 2015, Extern’s Multidisciplinary Homeless Support Team have responded to the needs of 1,122 individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the Greater Belfast Area, that’s an average of 110 a month. At Extern, we will continue to open our doors to people who are homeless, and provide support to people who come seeking help.”
“Extern meets people at their point of need. In addition to providing specialist assessment in the Housing Executive, we work across the sector, providing professional support to those who have multiple needs. We work alongside 16 different hostels and with outreach teams in the City Centre. We provide over 60 homeless hostel beds and help over 2000 people affected by homelessness. Demand for our services has increased by over 50% in the last two years and underlines the fact that homelessness is much more than just a housing issue,” Danny added.
For advice or support on homelessness, contact Extern on 02890 330433 or call in to the charity's offices on Brunswick Street beside the Travel Lodge hotel to speak with a member of staff.
February 2015
25 February 2015.
Charity responds to latest death from homelessness in Belfast.
Extern, the leading social justice Charity has responded to the death of another person from homelessness in Belfast overnight. The Charity provides a homeless support service, which is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in conjunction with Supporting People and the Belfast Trust. A dedicated social work outreach team provides specialist assessment and intensive support to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and who have additional needs relating to mental and physical health, substance use, learning disability, offending, families and asylum.
Commenting on the role of the charity, in providing homeless support, Danny McQuillan, Director of Supporting Communities, said:
“The latest report of another young man found dead in the doorway of a shop in Belfast City Centre is another tragedy for people who are homeless. Since April 2015, Extern’s Multidisciplinary Homeless Support Team have responded to the needs of 1,122 individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the Greater Belfast Area, that’s an average of 110 a month. Last night, in addition to a full centre at the Ormeau Centre, we opened our doors to people who are homeless, and were able to support another person who came seeking help.”
“Extern meets people at their point of need. In addition to providing specialist assessment in the Housing Executive, we work across the sector, providing professional support to those who have multiple needs. We work alongside 16 different hostels and with outreach teams in the City Centre. We also provide 36 hostel beds in the city. Demand for our services has increased by over 50% in the last two years and underline the fact that homelessness is much more than just a housing issue,” Danny added.
For advice or support on homelessness, contact Extern on 02890 330433 or call in to the charity's offices on Brunswick Street beside the Travel Lodge hotel to speak with a member of staff.
February 2015
11 February 2015
Charity responds to death of ‘Jimmy’ from homelessness in Belfast.
Extern, the leading social justice Charity has responded to the death of a local Belfast man, ‘Jimmy’ from homelessness in Belfast this week. The Charity provides a homeless support service, which is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in conjunction with Supporting People and the Belfast Trust. A dedicated social work outreach team provides specialist assessment and intensive support to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and who have additional needs relating to mental and physical health, substance use, learning disability, offending, families and asylum.
Commenting on the role of the charity, in providing homeless support, Danny McQuillan, Director of Supporting Communities, said:
“The recent reports of a young man ‘Jimmy’ found dead in the doorway of a disused shop in Belfast City Centre are another tragedy for people who are homeless. Since April 2015, Extern’s Multidisciplinary Homeless Support Team have responded to the needs of 1,122 individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the Greater Belfast Area, that’s an average of 110 a month.”
“Extern meets people at their point of need. In addition to providing specialist assessment in the Housing Executive, we work across the sector, providing professional support to those who have multiple needs. We work alongside 16 different hostels and with outreach teams in the City Centre. We also provide 36 hostel beds in the city. Demand for our services has increased by over 50% in the last two years and underline the fact that homelessness is much more than just a housing issue,” Danny added.
For advice or support on homelessness, contact Extern on 02890 330433 or call in to the charity's offices on Brunswick Street beside the Travel Lodge hotel to speak with a member of staff.
January 2015
Belfast Dance Company Heads to London. Maiden Voyage Dance - Quartet for 15 Chairs
7th – 27th February 2015
“It was amazing! Visually exciting, fast music to keep pace with the dancing and comedy! Children laughed out loud and were captivated...”
Audience Member, Belfast Children’s Festival
"An ingeniously executed piece" Belfast Telegraph****
Maiden Voyage bring you Quartet for 15 Chairs a riotous game of musical movement for all the family full of music, dance and laughter that was the highlight from the 2014 Belfast Children’s Festival
The mischievous musical chairs are back! Let imaginations run wild and experience exactly how much mischief four dancers and 15 blue chairs can get up to onstage. Quartet for 15 Chairs is choreographed by Enrique Cabrera (Aracaldanza, Spain), a choreographer internationally renowned for his surreal and playful dance productions and is performed to an original score from Belfast Music Laurete Brian Irvine. This captivating comedic adventure will have you tapping your toes and wanting to join in.
Maiden Voyage have been invited to perform at the prestigous Queen Elizabeth Hall in London’s Southbank Centre. Audiences at home can catch performances in Belfast, Armagh, Lisburn, Downpatrick, and Limerick
Nicola Curry from Maiden Voyage Dance says,
“We are thrilled to have been invited to perform at South Bank Centre London and to perform Quartet for 15 Chairs for family audiences across Northern Ireland. It is fun, frantic, precise and mysterious and a wonderful way to introduce an audience of any age to the wonder of dance performance”
Gilly Campbell, Arts Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, says,
“We wish Maiden Voyage all the very best as they prepare to take Quartet for 15 Chairs to London. This fun and engaging performance will showcase one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting dance companies, alongside music from Belfast’s inaugural music laureate, in one of the Europe’s leading arts venues.”
Maiden Voyage are hosting “Stay and Play” sessions at selected venues in which children can stay behind following the show to play, recreate their favourite moments, and learn some choreography from the company dancers.
The company also offers the provision of audio described performances and touch tours for those who are blind or have visual impairments, providing unique access to this most visual of art-forms, as one previous user describes:
“I found the audio description really brilliant. I could understand all you were describing. It was just lovely to laugh, cheer and just feel part of the audience and I felt I was really engaged in what was happening too. I loved the whole thing.”
Choreography: Enrique Cabrera
Music: Bach, Brian Irvine
Lighting Design: Ciaran Bagnall
Costume Design: Llinos Griffiths
Dancers: Carmen Fuentes Guaza, Ryan O’Neill, David Ogle, Vasiliki Stasinaki
Photos: Luca Truffarelli
Maiden Voyage Dance would like to acknowledge the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.
PERFORMANCE AND TICKET DETAILS:
Upstairs at the MAC, Belfast Queen Elizabeth Hall
Sat 7 & Sun 8 Feb Southbank Centre London
11am, 12pm, 3pm Sat 14 Feb @ 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm
Tickets £6, Family £20 Sun 15 Feb @ 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm
www.themaclive.com Adults £6, Children £3
028 9023 5053 www.southbankcentre.com.uk
0844 875 0073
Market Place Theatre, Armagh Dance Limerick
Wed 11 Feb @ 11am Fri 20 Feb @ 11:30am, 2:30pm
Tickets £5 Tickets €12/€10
www.marketplacearmagh.com www.dancelimerick.ie
028 3752 1821 +353 (0)61 467 813
Down Arts Centre ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn
Tues 24 Feb @ 10am, 12pm Fri 27 Feb @ 10am, 11:30am, 7pm
Tickets £5/£4 Tickets £5
www.downartscentre.com www.islandartscentre.com
028 4461 0747 028 9250 9254
Maiden Voyage Dance is Northern Ireland’s leading commissioning company for contemporary dance. This Belfast based company, founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Nicola Curry, works with a carefully curated range of national and international choreographers, composers and collaborators. The company have built a highly respected and flexible repertoire for theatre, site specific installation and public space performance and are based in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
F / Maiden Voyage Dance Company
T / @MaidenVoyageNI
FOR FURTHER MEDIA INFORMATION:
Eibhlin de Barra, Maiden Voyage Dance
Email: info@maidenvoyagedance.com
Tel: 028 9033 0925
Mob: 07702 619548