Community of Leeds

Yorkshire Dance

The community

Activities

The work with the community was rooted in the Chapeltown and Harehills community of Leeds. Chapeltown is a suburb of north-east Leeds, and is the centre of the city’s British African-Caribbean community.

Who’s in

Yorkshire engaged four different communities:
RJC Dance – a leading inclusive Black dance organisation made up of young people age 13 -16 years.
House of Flava – is a KiKi House by and for Trans, Non binary and GNC (gender non conforming) PoC.
Feel Good Factor – women aged 50-85 years from the Afro Caribbean Community.
Space2 – adults who are from one of the most disadvantaged communities in Leeds.

The production

Epic Everyday – ‘We are guided by the invisible bonds that connect us. Bonds born out of curiosity and play and freedom to be ‘other’. We are an unlikely and beautiful mixed community of ages, cultures and identities finding the humour, pride and ownership of who we are and how we live.’ Following in the footsteps of Company of People’s previous work, epic stories of everyday lives are at the heart of this new performance which exposes intimate details and elevates ‘everyday’ culture, literature and history to the grandeur of high art.

Touring

7-th-8th july – Leeds, Encounters Festival (Yorkshire Dance)
10th august – ‘s Hertogenbosch, Theaterfestival Boulevard
8th-9th november – Bologna, Gender Bender International Festival (Cassero/Gender Bender Festival)

Credits

The group worked collaboratively with choreographer TC Howard
with dance artists Kate Cox, Izzy Brittain and Bakani Pick-Up

Want to discover more about the cultural organisation involving this community?

Yorkshire Dance

Community Members

Michael Thompson

Community of Leeds

Michael Thompson

It has been fantastic to be able to have been given this great opportunity to share our work together & also enjoy each other's work. Thank you all, it's been wonderful. I identify as he/him, and I have opened my mind to all the different genders that are at last getting recognition for who THEY ARE & WHO THEY MAY BECOME - Thank you for helping to break down the barriers that should have NEVER been there in the first place.

Community member

Community of Leeds

Community member

It has been an amazing experience. I never thought I would find a group of people that I felt so comfortable being with. I joined the project recently and they have welcomed me with open arms. The accepted me into the group like I had been there from the start. They are such an amazing group. So loving, supportive, kind, friendly and we have so much fun together. I will be so sad when it ends.