Three new partner groups join Curve's community engagement programme

Thu 14 Feb 2013

Following the launch of its Artist and Community Engagement Programme in October 2012, Curve has selected three participatory arts groups from the East Midlands to join a pilot scheme at the theatre from January to August this year.  The programme is designed to enable the best talent in the East Midlands to create new work using the unique building and resource within Curve.  As part of the Affiliate Community Groups strand, Kaine ‘Curve’ Choir, Nupur Arts and 2Funky Arts will have access to Curve’s spaces, professional support and advice; have opportunities to show their work in the building, and will help us to engage wider and more diverse audiences.

Kaine ‘Curve’ Choir is a community gospel choir offering singing development skills and the opportunity to learn contemporary and gospel songs.  The choir will be running weekly sessions at Curve which are open to all.

Nupur Arts is an Indian Dance Company which regularly performs at theatre venues and gives workshops in educational and community settings, covering a diverse range of movement skills.  Nupur Arts will be bringing BollyFitness – a Bollywood inspired dance fitness class that incorporates rhythms and dance from both the east and the western worlds – to Curve as part of the community engagement programme.

2Funky Arts develops and delivers a variety of artistic projects in the East Midlands region, including the establishment of large networks of local dancers.   2FunkyArts will be running weekly freestyle danceworkshops at Curve, offering local dancers the opportunity to collaborate on routines, hone their craft, rehearse in a professional space and showcase their talent.

All the partner groups will receive free weekly space at Curve; showcasing opportunities on the Curve Foyer Stage and professional support from Curve’s Artistic,Producing, Technical,

Communications and Development Teams.

The programme will be led by Suba Das, Curve’s Associate Director, Community Engagement.  Suba commented:

“The Affiliate Community Groups scheme is a wonderful opportunity both for us to use our resources to support our partner groups and to introduce what Curve has to offer to a whole new section of the community.  We are fortunate to be working with three very talented and inspiring organisations and I look forward to helping them to develop and grow over the coming months.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Sarah Johnson, Senior Communications Officer, 0116 242 3598 / s.johnson@curvetheatre.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

More information about the Community Engagement Programme can be found at www.curveonline.co.uk or by contacting the Affiliate Community Groups:

Quotes from group leaders:

Smita Vadnerkar from Nupur Arts said: “This is a great and exciting opportunity for Nupur Arts to encourage a wider, more diverse audience. We see the partnership as a chance for both parties to engage communities within the city and help to bring new and different audiences to Curve.”

Vijay Mistry of 2funkyarts said: “We’re really excited to be part of this programme, building on the strong partnership we have with Curve as a result of Leicester’s Best Dance Crew.  Our dance sessions will provide a creative space for developing local talent, with guidance from a professional.”

Session timings and pricings:

Kaine Choir, Wednesdays, 6:30PM – 8PM, Curve Mezzanine, £3

Nupur Arts, Tuesdays, 11am – 12PM, Curve Mezzanine, £4

2Funky Arts, Saturdays, 4PM to 5PM (Beginners), 5:30PM to 6:30PM, (Advanced), £3

Free taster sessions:

Nupur Arts, Tuesday 26thFeb, 11am

Kaine Choir, Wednesday 27thFeb, 6:30PM

2Funky Arts, Saturday 23rdFeb, 11am and 12:30

Please note that the charges for these sessions are solely to cover the costs of the skilled practitioners from each Affiliate Community Group leading each class. Curve does not receive any of this money and we are happy to offer our resources free of charge to the groups we are working with.