African Routes Revival – day 2

FREE Exhibitions, workshops, discussions, performances

African Routes Revival: (ARR)

Starting at 10:30am for each of the two days. Incorporating Black Dance Forum 2024 And discussions about the Future of Black Dance. Dance performances by IRIE! dance theatre!

Book your FREE tickets via “Skiddle.com”, just click on the button below!

A free two-day event taking place on October 25th and 26th, 2024. This special event is dedicated to celebrating and exploring the rich traditions and future of Black dance.

Using the theme of Belonging it will explore how African Dance and Music influences cultural practices and dance forms across UK and Internationally

Live Stream the event on YouTube Here!

ARR 2024 information

Day Two: 26th October

‘Funmi Adewole-Elliot

‘Funmi Adewole Elliott is a senior lecturer in dance studies at De Montfort University Leicester, England. Her research interests include the theorising of Dance of Africa and the Diaspora within professional contexts, dance and transnationalism, somatic practice, storytelling in performance and dramaturgy. She moved from Nigeria to Britian in 1994. For several years she toured with Physical theatre and African dance drama companies whilst working as an arts consultant and voluntarily as a dance advocate. As Programme leader and then Chair of the Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (now part of Dance UK) she spearheaded the ADAD Heritage project, the first of its kind to document the work of black-led dance companies in the UK.  As she has an international reputation as a facilitator and key speaker and has led workshops, labs and discussion groups in West Africa, South Africa, Canada, and the USA.  She gained her B.A in from the University of Ibadan Nigeria in Languages. She also holds an M.A in Postcolonial Studies, a Professional graduate certificate in Education and PhD in Dance studies.  She continues to perform as storyteller and movement artist and work with professional practitioners as a dramaturge.  In 2019, she was awarded a life-time achievement award for contributions to Dance of the African Diaspora in the UK by One Dance UK, the UK National body for Dance.

Maxine Brown

Maxine has spent decades working in various communities throughout the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, specializing in African People’s classical and contemporary dance (APD). As a teacher, lecturer, and choreographer, she has dedicated herself to sharing the richness of APD at numerous educational establishments and community groups both locally and internationally. Her extensive involvement in APD has allowed her to become well-acquainted with current developments and practices, and regularly engages with a wide network of practitioners, attending specialist workshops and events to stay abreast of the latest trends.

Her experience includes bringing people together for collaborative projects, coordinating performances and events, and inspiring participants to maintain high levels of interest and engagement. Beyond dance, she is skilled in African crafts, often conducting workshops creating costumes for performers. Currently, works as the Community Engagement Manager at NML while also working as a freelance creative artist and movement educator.

Ithalia Johnson

Ithalia Johnson, an artist, leader, and coach from Liverpool, is a passionate advocate for African diaspora dance and culture. Her diverse heritage, blending African, Caribbean, and Irish roots, informs her artistic vision and community engagement efforts. As a Clore Leadership Fellow, she aims to make a meaningful impact in the arts.

A Journey of Transformation

Ithalia’s formal path of dance began after the loss of her father, which prompted her to leave her role as a development officer and pursue her passion for dance. With training from Liverpool City College and the José Limón Dance School in New York, she collaborates on projects celebrating Afro-Anglo Caribbean heritage.

Central to Ithalia’s work is a commitment to inclusivity and community through dance. After co-founding the award-winning dance charity Movema, she dedicated 14 years to using movement as a tool to bridge cultural divides and promote social change. She also embarked on a US tour with Cynthia Oliver Company:Riggidiggidim de Bambe de – Ruptured Calypso, featuring an all-female cast from the Caribbean diaspora.

Ithalia is currently working on projects like Powerful Gal and Dancing Queens, reflecting her dedication to social justice through creative expression. Beyond performance, she impacts education as a visiting lecturer at UCLAN and the University of Salford, addressing societal issues through dance. As a qualified ADHD coach certified by the ADDCA (ADD Coaching Academy), she empowers individuals to identify their strengths and potential. Passionate about creating spaces for joy and empowerment.

Felix Ologbosere

As performing artist, I was born in Lagos with Bini heritage from the Edo  people in Nigeria.

I am a highly skilled African Dancer who focuses on performing arts through dance, Music and drama. Trained in Nigeria (Gongbeat arts) under tutelage of Isioma William (drummer and choreographer).

I concentrate mainly on freelance contracts in and around the North West but have done quite a number of sole pieces within the United Kingdom. In recent times I have had the privilege of concentrating mainly teaching dance in a number of localities in Liverpool.

I currently work for Liverpool City Council as a youth support worker. My job entails non-formal educational activities which involve enjoyment, challenge and learning.

Alicia Smith

Born and raised in Liverpool, Alicia has always had a passion for all things creative. In her early career she trained as a dancer, teaching, performing on worldwide stages.

Alicia is a valued member of the Culture Liverpool Leadership team, heading up the Arts & Participation and a leading force behind the strategic cultural development for the city in collaboration with many partners.

Her wealth of knowledge and experience pays dividends – with an innovative and impressive back catalogue including the European Capital of Culture 2008 programme of events, the Giant Spectacular trilogy, the Vitality Netball World Cup, RISE, UNESCO City of Music as well as studies into the social impact of arts.

More recently, Alicia led on the Eurovision EuroLearn and EuroStreets – a first for any host city and an integral part of success of Liverpool’s Eurovision journey on behalf of Ukraine.

An avid advocate for the arts, Alicia is a familiar face on the national and international networking circuit providing help and advice on best practice for culture programmes, cultural experiences, and cultural journeys.

Maurice Bessman (Boisterous)

Maurice is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He began writing scripts for BBC Radio before moving to television where he wrote scripts for Brookside, Hollyoaks, Casualty and Holby City, among other shows.

Maurice co-founded Liverpool’s first black theatre company Nyeusi, and his debut play Cleo won an award for Best Newcomer to Stage. His stage work includes; That Golden Moment, Green, Drums of Anfield, Captain of England, the stage adaptation of A Little Pinch of Chilli, and a reworking of John Godber’s Bouncers. His screenplay for the film, Tiger, a biopic of the Nigerian World Light Heavyweight Champion boxer, Dick Tiger, has been optioned by Hurricane Films.

Boisterous Theatre Company

Boisterous Theatre Company is the only theatre company in Liverpool specifically dedicated to Global Majority  communities. We hope it will bring in people from all communities to the theatre, helpingus truly become a theatre for all people of Liverpool.

Set up at the Royal Court Theatre by Miriam Mussa and Maurice Bessman, the company will showcase the work of actors, writers, creatives and producers and create opportunities for Liverpool’s diverse communities.

Diversity in the cultural sector is a hotly debated topic by artists and organisations across the sector, therefore with backing from the Royal Court, Boisterous began.

Akil Morgan

Akil Morgan is a Liverpool-born community artist, social entrepreneur, Capoeira practitioner & teacher, husband and father of 2. He is a founding member of grassroots community organisation Capoeira for All CIC, and has spent the last 10 years developing work in education, community settings, nationally and internationally, interpreting and translating Capoeira practice, values and principles to create social change. Being mixed-heritage (JamaicanWelshEnglish), his work plays with identity and roots as the route to our true selves and ultimately, our power (Ubuntu).

Capoeira for All CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company set up in 2015 to explore and develop how Capoeira can can significantly enrich people’s lives, essentially, changing lives through movement. CFA enables people and communities to realise their potential through creating safe spaces to grow, laugh, learn and play, developing approaches in education, community, training and more. As a Black-led organisation, it focuses much of its work on affinity spaces for Black, Brown and Global Majority young people and addressing imbalances across all spaces we live in.

Addae G

Addae G is a Caribbean Disrupter. As an artist, storyteller, and cultural visionary his work blends Caribbean folklore, spirituality, and community engagement. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, Addae draws from his rich heritage to create immersive experiences that go beyond the senses and speak directly to the soul. His practice spans writing, performance, and visual storytelling, focusing on themes of liberation, identity, and ancestral connection. The Windrush Legacy Artist Award recipient and Liverpool City Region 2024 Artist of the Year Finalist 2024, Addae is dedicated to using his art as a tool for healing, education, and transformation within communities and beyond.

Irie!

Sumuyya Khader

Sumuyya Khader (b. 1988, Liverpool) is an artist working in a multiplicity of ways within the sector. Collaborating with major institutions, projects, publishers, social enterprises and artist led groups.

Her practice is a combination of illustration, painting & print works that predominantly explore place and identity. An artist of empowerment, both through the combinations of text and images in her work and also through the action she takes beyond her studio.

Her first solo show ‘Always Black, Never Blue’ opened at Bluecoat Liverpool in October 2021. Recent group exhibitions include Refractive Pool: Contemporary Painting at Walker Art Gallery: a group show celebrating paintings by Liverpool artists, NAE Open 2022, Shifting Perspectives at Leeds Art Gallery and Conversations, 2024 at Walker Art Gallery Liverpool.

She has recently curated the upcoming Walker Art Gallery exhibition ‘Conversations’ which celebrates the work of Black British women and non-binary artists.

She hopes her art is an entry point into a wider conversation about community and life.

African Routes Revival incorporating Black Dance Forum is a vibrant and dynamic event dedicated to exploring and celebrating the rich heritage of Black dance. This forum provides a platform for in-depth conversations that trace the roots of Black dance from its historical origins to its present-day expressions and future possibilities.

Through panel discussions, workshops, and performances, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue about the cultural significance, evolution, and sustainability of Black dance. The event also serves as a safe space for artists, dancers, and enthusiasts to connect, share their experiences, and collaborate on shaping the future of this powerful art form. Join us as we honour the past, embrace the present, and envision the future of Black dance.

The Black-E / IRIE! dance theatre / Arts Council England