Keisha Grant from Solihull is one of 50 artists and companies from England chosen to present their work at the fifth decibel Performing Arts Showcase in Manchester from 13-16 September 2011. Around 400 applications were made to the Arts Council England selection panel.
Showcase provides UK and international arts professionals with the opportunity to preview innovative and culturally diverse productions from some of this country’s most talented performing artists and companies.
All the performances have been selected for their creative excellence and ability to appeal to national and international audiences.
Dancer, Choreographer and Practitioner Keisha Grant founded Keneish Dance in 2009 following sell out performances at Theatres including, Patrick Centre, Sadlers Wells – Lilian Baylis, Stratford Circus, amongst others. For decibel the company will present 'All Seeing' which is an enthralling, dynamic and physical African Contemporary Dance piece inspired by the stunning work of African Shona Sculptor Albert Nathan Mamvuru. The piece was commissioned by 'Creative Leap' – The Drum, Sampad, Ulpha Arts and Birmingham City Council. The company was rewarded a Grant for the Arts award to embark on a new Dance piece in collaboration with talented Derby based visual artist and set designer Heidi Luker. This dance work also promises to be a powerful one, to complete Keneish Dance's touring programme for 2012. A sneak preview of the work will be presented during Birmingham Arts Festival at The Midlands Arts Centre (The MAC), Cannon Hill Park, Saturday 10th September at 5pm.
Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, Arts Council England, said: "Diversity drives innovation and offers new perspectives. The artists and companies selected for Showcase represent the most exciting new work coming out of England’s culturally rich performing arts scene."
National and international promoters, producers, programmers, artistic directors and venue managers are invited to see extracts from leading artists’ latest productions and new and developing work. Networking opportunities then lead to longer term relationships, which see delegates booking artists’ work or collaborating with them to develop their ideas further.
decibel Showcase has a proven track record of connecting arts professionals with artists and work from different cultures and backgrounds, which they would like to book and develop. Following the 2009 showcase, musicians The Fish Police were booked to launch their new album at New York's Lincoln Centre after being seen by Bill Bragin, the venue's Director of Public Programming.
Bill Bragin, Director of Public Programming, Lincoln Centre, said: "decibel gave me a great opportunity to discover a broad variety of diverse English art. Being there not only directly resulted in my inviting The Fish Police to make their US debut at Lincoln Center, but also expanded my thinking about how to include the work of artists with disabilities in our programming more generally."
Delegate registration for the full four days of Showcase costs just £120 if booked before 30 June 2011 or £170 after. For the first time this year, 24 hour and day passes will be available at the cost of £55 each. Further information and delegate registration forms can be found on the website www.decibelpas.com
