Dance / Contemporary dance
Three-day event sets to celebrate Bristol’s contemporary dance scene
The weekend promises to be a vibrant celebration of the contemporary dance scene in Bristol as GATHER UP Presents, a three-day event dedicated to contemporary dance artists from Bristol and beyond, takes place.
Held at the Bristol Old Vic from April 26 to 29, the gathering showcases a rich mix of live performances, dance film screenings, artist talks and workshops.
Organised as an artist-led initiative, GATHER UP desires to nurture and energise choreographic and contemporary dance practices in the region.
is needed now More than ever
With a strong focus on collaboration and artistic development, the programme brings together both established and emerging voices, creating space for exchange, experimentation, and visibility.
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The weekend begins on Saturday with Dance on Screen, running from 3pm to 8pm in the Equiano Studio at Bristol Old Vic. This relaxed, cinema-style event will feature a looped screening of short dance films by South West-based filmmakers and choreographers. Audiences are welcome to drop in at any time and stay as long as they wish. The 6pm loop will be BSL interpreted by Lizzie Nelson (TSLI), ensuring accessibility for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees.
Featured artists in Dance on Screen include A1 Vanguard & Marta Vitelli, Chris Pugh & Impermanence, Dan Canham, Divija Melally, Emergency Chorus (Clara Potter-Sweet & Ben Kulvichit), Keity Pook, Sebastián Morales Castillo, and Xavier de Santos.
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The celebration concludes on April 29 with GATHER UP Presents… A Triple Bill, a powerful evening of solo dance works taking place at 7pm in the Weston Studio. The bill features three compelling performances by contemporary dance artists Libby Ward, Akeim Toussaint-Buck, and Kip Johnson.
Akeim Toussaint-Buck’s Beatmotion solo 3 offers a poetic and expressive meditation on the inevitability of change and decay. Through voice and movement, the piece is set as a ritual of healing, liberation and personal truth.
The three-day event is set to be a celebration of contemporary dance scene in Bristol and beyond
Kip Johnson’s Sev/er explores the materiality of wood and the human body, using the sounds and physicality of dismantling a tree to reflect on our connection to the natural world. Meanwhile, Libby Ward’s Split Mountain is a personal and haunting work that delves into transformation and the embodiment of motherhood, set to a score by Jordan Hudson.
GATHER UP Presents is made possible through the support of Bristol Old Vic, and is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as Bristol City Council.
For more information, visit www.gatherup.live/gatheruppresents
All photos – Gather Up
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