DanceAble Symposium

“A symposium that will question, celebrate, and challenge.”Through presentations, talks, panel discussions and workshops with individuals working across different areas of our industry, we will ask questions of the inclusive dance sector and each other. The aim is always to keep learning and to keep evolving in what we do and HOW we are doing it.
be brave
be curious
be honest
be wholehearted
be proactive
To curate this edition of the bi-annual DanceAble Symposium – held on the 11th of February 2022 – Kimberley Harvey and Irene van Zeeland have joined forces. They have composed a program that is rich yet leaves time to dive deeper into certain questions that inspire the sector to keep moving forward. Questions like ‘Where is the space for the professional disabled dance artist?’, ‘What is Inclusive Choreographic Practice?’ and ‘What are the Aesthetics of Access?’ will form the basis of the afternoon sessions. Participants are invited to have a conversation with experts from around Europe and will be challenged to think about how the sector can practically and proactively keep evolving.
With speakers such as Charlotte Darbyshire (Candoco), Damar Lamers (ReDiscoverMe), Isis Geurts (Stichting Dans+), Robert Swinston, Diana Anselmo (Al.Di.Qua), Jordy Dik (Compagnie 21), Lisette Reuter (Un-Label) and Claudia Marinelli (LKCA) we dive into these topics to search for our own blind spots and prejudice.
 
With a very special keynote speech by Kimberley Harvey, we dive into the question of disability as (part of) an identity:
“Who you are and how you identify is complex, multi-layered and it can shift. But in my experience, as someone with a visible disability, all too often it can feel like your identity starts and ends with the fact that you are a ‘disabled person’ or a ‘wheelchair user’ – as if everything else is somehow less relevant. Then, what do you do?”
The stage will also show the results of a week-long Artist in Residency period where Misiconi Dance Company (Rotterdam) and Joop Oonk worked together with Robert Swinston. They explored the concepts of chance – as initiated by Merce Cunningham – to create a very special presentation for this occasion.
In addition to the online DanceAble Symposium, you can enjoy live performances such as All Inclusive (Un-Label & Diana Niepce) and No Bodies (Compagnie 21).
Programme
10:00 – 11:00 Plenary session
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 12:15 Where is the space for the professional disabled dance artist?
12:15 – 13:00 Break
13:00 – 14:00 Inclusive Choreographic Practice
14:00 – 14:15 Break
14:15 – 15:15 Aesthetics of Access
15:15 – 15:30 Closing