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Past Projects

Since its inception Citymoves Dance Agency SCIO has run a number of projects, festivals, and performances alongside its regular offering of classes and the artist in residency programme. Below are a number of past projects and DanceLive festivals through the years.

F E S T I V A L

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Citymoves is excited to highlight the addition of All-Ages Dance Programming to the Aberdeen Festival of the Sea during summer 2024! Our programs featured Summer Camps with Nautical Themes for primary students, teens, and adults to enjoy during the school holidays. We also teamed up with Open Road to bring the Festival's dance programming to the Torry neighbourhood, including three weekly dance classes and an opportunity to create a brand-new site-specific dance piece created by Katie Armstrong and performed by a community cast. The Festival of the Sea Premier Dance performance took place on Saturday the 27th of July 2024.
 

F E S T I V A L

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DanceLive 2023

19th - 22nd October, 2020

DanceLive 2023 consisted of live productions, outdoor community performances, films, and workshops in a number of locations in Aberdeen and across our partner venues. The 2023 DanceLive acknowledged the founder of DanceLive Festival, Ian Spink. The Citymoves team celebrated Ian’s determination and creative vision to bring innovative dance to the North East of Scotland. The festival has allowed an ongoing platform for dance artists & companies to showcase work here, while creating opportunities for audiences to journey into Aberdeen and locals to witness the joy of dance on their doorstep. Thank you Ian.  
 

F E S T I V A L

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DanceLive 2022

20th - 24th October, 2022

DanceLive Festival was be back for its 16th year running. Citymoves Dance Agency’s annual celebration of dance planned a programme of captivating, inspiring and fun performances. Audiences were entertained live in theatres, outdoor locations, shopping centres and digitally, with workshops and classes available throughout the festival.
 

F E S T I V A L

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DanceLive 2021

14th - 17th October, 2021

DanceLive 2021, Citymoves’ annual Festival of Contemporary Dance ran in a hybrid format.  We received great feedback from artists and audience members from across the world, that we were able to bring the festival, back into the City.  Citymoves would like to thank the artists, audience and those behind the scenes that made 2021's festival possible.

 

SUPPORTED PROJECTS

Moving Out 2020

The Work Room is collaborating with Tramway, Citymoves and Dance North to support three artist-led projects in different neighbourhoods across Scotland. With many venues still closed to the public and measures of physical distancing likely to be part of daily life for the foreseeable futures, the Moving Out 2020 projects developed and adapted work for outdoor sites.

The three artist-led projects developed as part of Moving Out are detailed below.

Jenna Corker – Shoreway

Edinburgh

 

“A contemporary dance piece inspired by the shore and walkways between Wardie Bay and Crammond Causeway in North Edinburgh. Working with three contemporary dance artists the piece will explore the solace that can be found from journeys taken along this coastal area of Edinburgh. I often use the sea and coastline in my work and I am excited by the opportunity to adapt my practice to outdoors, and the opportunities this brings to connect with different audiences.

This project will also engage with a local women’s group and involve a series of walks with the group between Wardie Bay and Crammond Causeway. Following on from these walks, the group will meet either online or in a shared space for creative workshops that include movement-based and written tasks.”

Crammond Causeway at low tide. Triangular concrete sculptures in a line along the shore.

The selection process for Moving Out was undertaken by a panel involving involved Claricia Parinussa (Tramway producer), Hayley Durward (Citymoves Dance Development Manager), along with independent artists Kate E Deeming, Katie Armstrong and Ricardo da Silva. Karl Jay-Lewin (Director of Dance North) was also involved in the first stage of the selection.

We look forward to supporting these artists and their projects as they are developed from now through to Spring 2021. Look out on our social media pages for more information about the projects as they develop as well as ways to engage in either online or public happenings. 
 

THREE60- Mother Earth 
Glasgow

 

“Mother Earth is a collective idea of experience showcasing a story in which that connects with the audience with the artist. Together as one we illustrate an educational touch through movement and music where we take you on a journey full of challenges, joy, excitement and the expression of what life has to offer.

The meaning behind Mother Earth is to showcase our love for nature as well as our mothers combined with the power of what woman offer to all human race.  You will follow the experience of a Goddess through her transformation phases on earth and the journey that awaits her arrival. You get to evolve with her as the story unfolds and as she faces her inner ability from shadow work to the light. Mother Earth signifies that everything that involves growth begins from a seed, within the seed lies the tree and the fruits of your labour. Learn to nurture your gifts through patience and belief. One’s awakening isn’t always easy but with pressure, diamonds are formed. 

The reason for this creation is to reflect the time that we live in. It’s our duty as artists to speak and show the power that art holds in shifting our culture and reality for the next generation to come. As part of Moving Out Mother Earth will be adapted for outdoor performances in Glasgow. The company look forward to further touring in Aberdeen in 2021. Get ready for a life changing experience, we look forward to connecting with you all.”
 

Divine Tasinda's Mother Earth poster. Five figures posing in background; One sat on wall, one stood with arms crossed, one with hands on waist, one with hands in fist in front of them and other stood with arms in pockets. In foreground, text saying 'Three 60. Unity makes family. Family makes unity'.

Julia McGhee – The Morrich Project 
Inver, Easter Ross

“I’m taking this opportunity to develop my work in progress - The Morrich Project - by creating an outdoor performance for my local community.  I live in Inver a small ex-fishing village, near Tain in Easter Ross.  The Morrich is an extensive area of saltmarsh and sand dune that lies on the other side of Inver Bay from the village.  It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and makes up part of Tain Air Weapons Range - one of the largest MOD live fire weapons ranges in the UK.  I’ve been fascinated by The Morrich ever since I moved to Inver four years ago and The Morrich Project is my response to the land, its history and what I see happening on and around it today. 

 

I’ve been researching this response in collaboration with Glasgow-based dance artist Penny Chivas and I’m looking forward to working again with her again, this time outside on the streets and the beach at Inver.  The outdoor work will involve interactions with found objects including 3 large logs that represent old wooden posts that can still be seen today across the Morrich and in Inver bay.

 

As well as Penny, I’m collaborating with my neighbour, Rosie Mackenzie, a visual artist who has gathered an extensive collection of objects that have washed up on Inver beach over the years. Over the Summer she displayed some of these objects outside her home.  Rosie and I want to find ways to connect our artistic practices to our local community and we’ll do this by inviting everyone in Inver to be involved in a community wide doorstep exhibition of found objects from Inver.  Both the outdoor exhibition and the performance are going to be captured on film by Robbie Synge, so that the project can be shared more widely online and has a lasting legacy for both the artists and the community.”

 

Julia McGhee doing yoga pose on beach shoreline. Pose on one leg with flat back and arm forward.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2020

DanceLive 2020 poster. Four panels of different performances, mid movement.

15th - 18th October, 2020

DanceLive 2020, Citymoves’ annual Festival of Contemporary Dance was presented for the first time ever in a fully digital online format.  We received great feedback from artists and audience members from across the world, that we were able to still present the festival, despite the limitations due to the pandemic.  Citymoves would like to thank the artists, audience and those behind the scenes that made 2020's festival possible.

 

DanceLive 2019 poster. Two dancers intertwined facing each other and leaning in one direction. One with the arm on the others leg, the other with their hand back behind their head dropping a top hat.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2019

17th - 20th October, 2019

VENUES:
The Anatomy Rooms, Citymoves Schoolhill Studio,
His Majesty's Theatre, The Lemon Tree

DanceLive 2018 poster. A dancer with their back to the camera hunched forward with their leg out to the side over a broken chair on the ground.

DanceLive 2018

11th - 27th October, 2018

VENUES:
The Anatomy Rooms, Citymoves Schoolhill Studio,
His Majesty's Theatre, The Lemon Tree

DanceLive 2017. Dancer at the top of a hill, making a 'C' shape with their body.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2017

12th - 28th October, 2017

VENUES:
The Anatomy Rooms, Citymoves Schoolhill Studio,
His Majesty's Theatre, The Lemon Tree

DanceLive17 Trailer     |     View the programme here

DanceLive 2016 poster. Dancer with their head leaning away from their camera and their hands flat up to their collarbone/ Image on a left rotation.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2016

14th - 25th October, 2016

VENUES:
Citymoves Schoolhill Studio, His Majesty's Theatre, The Lemon Tree

P R O J E C T

Rejuvenate

DIRECTED BY: Ruth Kent

YEARs: 2014-2016

VENUES: Aberdeen Community and
Care Homes

Rejuvenate, 2014-2016, was a care homes project, with a final event held at the Beach Ballroom. 

Four dancers leaning on one anothers backs smiling at the camera.
DanceLive 2015 poster. One dancer looking down with light strobe projections on their body.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2015

9th - 20th October, 2015

VENUES:
Citymoves Studio, The Lemon Tree

DanceLive 2014 poster. Two dancers positioned in opposite directions, facing in towards each other. Inner arm straight to their side, outer arm raised at a 90 degree angle. Leaning inwards towards each other.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2014

7th - 28th October, 2014

VENUES:
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Beach Ballroom, Belmont Picturehouse, 
Citymoves Studio, The Forum, His Majesty's Theatre,The Lemon Tree,
The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Robert Gordon University, Seventeen, Woodend Barn, Wyness Hall, Zoology Museum

Two dancers in suits doing the dirty dancing lift in the street by Union Square shopping centre.

P E R F O R M A N C E

100Days/100Dances

DIRECTED BY: Ruth Kent

YEAR: 2014

VENUES: Aberdeen City Centre Locations

Part of Get Scotland Dancing 2014

Citymoves Dance Agency used interesting site specific locations throughout the city centre as well as their studios and local theatres
to programme dance for 100days. Companies throughout Scotland
brought their dancers with new works and excerpts from larger
pieces of choreography to bring dance directly to audiences in the
heart of Aberdeen city. 

Dance Hunt 2014 poster. Map of dance locations. In a circle, small image of one person on a pedal bike, another watching them.

P E R F O R M A N C E

Dance Hunt 2014

DIRECTED BY: Hayley Durward

YEAR: 2014

VENUES: Aberdeen City Centre Locations

This weekend long event in Aberdeen City Centre, grew in strength from
2012-2014 and involved local community groups, dance students and
professional dancers from around Scotland. 

DanceLive 2013 poster. Close up of dancer looking down doing leap towards the camera.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2013

11th - 31st October, 2013

VENUES:
Belmont Picturehouse, Citymoves Studio, His Majesty's Theatre,
The Lemon Tree, Phoenix Community Centre, Woodend Barn

Dance Amazing poster. Circus big top style spirals, with five polaroid effect images of different circus acts.

P R O J E C T

Dance Amazing

DIRECTED BY: Andy Howit

YEAR: 2013

VENUE: Primary Schools of Aberdeen

Part of Get Scotland Dancing.

This project went into every primary school in Aberdeen and taught as many pupils as it
could within a month. Every primary school student was then given a golden ticket to a
dance maze at the beach ballroom, held over one weekend. Performers came from all
over Scotland to be involved. 

Dance Hunt 2013. Six dancers performing outside of a cafe, one stood pointing, five in a semi-circle around them. Two dancers looking down at the performance from a window.

P E R F O R M A N C E

Dance Hunt 2013

DIRECTED BY: Hayley Durward

YEAR: 2013

VENUES: Aberdeen City Centre Locations

This weekend long event in Aberdeen City Centre, grew in strength from 2012-2014
and involved local community groups, dance students and professional dancers from around Scotland. 

DanceLive 2012 poster. A bright light flare in the centre. Two dancers, one leaning backwards with their arms crossed in front of their neck. One with knee bent and the other leg crossed across, arm in a square shape above head, with one finger pointing upward.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2012

16th - 31st October, 2012

VENUES:
Belmont Picturehouse, Citymoves Studio, Haddo House,
His Majesty's Theatre, The Lemon Tree

P E R F O R M A N C E

Deliberance

CREATED BY: Andy Howit

YEAR: 2012

VENUES: His Majesty's Theatre

Included in DanceLive 2012, Deliberance, created by Andy Howit, Citymoves Artistic Director at the time. 
Staring an all-male cast of Scottish Dancers still working in the field today. Performers: Daniel Aing, Angus Balbernie, Norman Douglas, Matthew Hawkins, Allan Irvine, Aaron Jeffrey, Steven Martin, Tony Mills, Peter Royston, Ian Spink, William Thorburn

Dance Hunt 2012 poster. Two target graphics, one with the graphic of a dancer doing a leap in the foreground.

P E R F O R M A N C E

Dance Hunt 2012

DIRECTED BY: Hayley Durward

YEAR: 2012

VENUES: AberdeenCity Centre Locations

This weekend long event in Aberdeen City Centre, grew in strength from 2012-2014 and involved local community groups, dance students and professional dancers from around Scotland. 

Map of Dance Hunt. In the background, dancers performing in the street.

P E R F O R M A N C E

Olympic Torch Relay

DIRECTED BY: Ruth Kent

YEAR: 2012

VENUES: Aberdeen City Centre Locations

Fusion Youth Dance Company Performed with Emile Sandi in the Castlegate to 10,000's of people. 

Close up of the London 2012 Olympic Torch. Out of focus in the background, the Olympic Rings.
DanceLive 2011 poster. Dancer with hair in front of their face spinning with some material.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2011

4th - 15th November, 2011

VENUES:
Belmont Picturehouse, Bon Accord, Citymoves Studio, Jury's Inn,
The Lemon Tree, His Majesty's Theatre, The Tunnels, Woodend Barn

Citymoves presented companies from Scotland, the U.K., and Europe, performing work by choreographers from the U.K., American, Canada, Israel, Spain, and Belgium. This year 
focused on home-grown talent. Citymoves produced 4 new 
commissioned works for East
Coast Moves, including a new piece by Errol White Company for Aberdeen Dance Collective, and new works from Andy Howitt, Hayley Durward, and Katie Milroy. Scottish company Barrowland Ballet and British/Belgian Retina Dance Company will also give a unique opportunity to over 20 local dancers to perform with them.

P E R F O R M A N C E

Dance Hotel

DIRECTED BY: Hayley Durward

YEAR: 2011

VENUE: Jury's Inn - Aberdeen

Dance Hotel was a part of DanceLive 2011.
A project funded by Creative Scotland and supported by Jury’s Inn and Scottish Rail.

Video Clip     |     Trailer

Dance Hotel performance image. Two dancers, one being lifted and swung around in Aberdeen Train Station.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2010

28th September - 13th November, 2010

VENUES:
Aberdeen Arts Centre, Citymoves Studio, The Lemon Tree, His Majesty's Theatre and Woodend Barn

DanceLive 2010 poster. Graphic of dancers legs in dance heels.
DanceLive 2009 poster. Woman on a beach facing away from the camera, leaning with fabric blowing in the wind over their face.

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2009

7th October - 2nd November, 2009

VENUES:
Aberdeen University, Citymoves Studio, Cowdray Hall, The Lemon Tree,
His Majesty's Theatre

F E S T I V A L

DanceLive 2008

7th October - 1st November, 2008

VENUES:
Belmont Picturehouse, Citymoves Studio, Cowdray Hall, The Lemon Tree,
His Majesty's Theatre

DanceLive 2008 poster. Four panels of different performers doing their various pieces.
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