Youth-led dance festival returns to Jerwood DanceHouse this weekend
Four young dancers are leading the charge to unite Ipswich's youth through movement and creativity, as they prepare to host the third annual DanceEast YouthFest tomorrow.
The big picture: The free festival at Jerwood DanceHouse reflects a growing movement to put young people at the helm of cultural events, with the organisers bringing fresh perspectives on how to engage their peers through dance.
Why it matters: The event aims to break down barriers around dance, welcoming both experienced performers and those who've never tried it before.
The details:
- The festival takes place on Saturday 9 November from 13:00 to 17:00.
- Activities include yoga, contemporary dance, Bollywood and jazz commercial fusion workshops.
- The programme features innovative elements like wearable interactive sound sessions where movements generate music.
- Creative workshops include movement drawing, costume styling and a community art gallery.
Behind the scenes: The festival is being shaped by four young leaders with diverse backgrounds:
- Millie Powell, a DanceEast Centre for Advanced Training alumna and BA Dance graduate
- Marni Cady-Heffer, a BA Dance graduate and Boost Bursary recipient
- Cara Storer, a Fine Art and Art History graduate
- Faith Foster, an A Level Dance student at Suffolk One
What they're saying: "Being a part of YouthFest has already allowed me to learn so many things such as administrative, planning, and management skills," says Marni Cady-Heffer. "What is amazing about this opportunity is that the festival is run and created by young people."
The bottom line: The organisers hope to create what Millie Powell calls "a greater community of dance lovers" among young people in Ipswich, emphasising that there will be "something for everyone."
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