MDI turns LEAP into a pop up dance house for its 25th year in Liverpool
Merseyside’s multi-award winning dance organisation MDI (Merseyside Dance Initiative) launches its most bold and ambitious programme of dance to date for LEAP 2017 (1st – 12th March 2017). In its 25th year in Liverpool, MDI, the dance development organisation is working in partnership with The Unity Theatre and Make Liverpool to create the first of its kind two week pop-up dance house for LEAP festival in Liverpool.
Following the successful Kickstarter campaign which raises £5,175 to support the creation of the dedicated dance house, MDI is working with Make Liverpool to refit their versatile warehouse to create a fully accessible performance space and festival hub with full catering facilities, bar and exhibition spaces. Over 131 supporters pledged towards the Kickstarter that surpassed its target in just 44 days.
Karen Gallagher MBE, artistic director of MDI commented:
Gary Clarke, choreographer and dancer said:
“To start of our 2017 touring season by bringing COAL to LEAP Festival is just a sheer delight. COAL is a direct response to my upbringing in the working class mining village of Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, the time when communities were being torn apart as they fought for their future against the policies of Mrs Thatcher and the Conservative Party.
It’s about trying to capture a time in British history that is too easily forgotten and it is an attempt at keeping the memories of the mining industry alive, an industry that I believe shaped the fabric of our society and how we live our lives today.
I feel confident that a city as politically and socially aware as Liverpool will take COAL to its heart and give us the greatest start to our touring year.”
The festival will also offer a host of pro-masterclasses for aspiring dancers, workshops from national companies such as Stop Gap Dance Company and a community focused day. An installation exhibition from Rosemary Lee will run alongside the festival, entitled Without, with a seven screen video installation capturing a spectacular panoramic view and intimate portrait of Londonderry commissioned by dancers from Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company.
Liverpool is vibrant dance destination with an abundance of talented artists and performers, through LEAP 2017, MDI is committed to inspire people in dance and to bring dance to new places and spaces for the Merseyside audience. LEAP 2017 will promote the great talent in the region and showcase artists never before seen in the city.
LEAP 2017 has also been made possible from the kind sponsorship and support of Morecrofts solicitors, Edgehill University, Liverpool John Moores University, Jayne Moore Media and bungee-assisted dance specialists, Wired Aerial Theatre with some additional programme taking place in their Higher Space.
Tickets for the festival are now on sale via the The Unity Theatre box office. For more information please visit unitytheatreliverpool.
You can also follow all of the LEAP 2017 updates on Twitter with #makemeleap from @mdistudio24
