Maiden Voyage are so pleased to bring this new project to fruition, as it has been an idea the company have wanted to pursue for some time. Only made possible through the generous support of Paul Hamlyn Foundation ‘Explore and Test’ Grant.

The Belfast Movement Choir will be created from four new groups in  areas of inner city Belfast, north, south, east and west. It is an all female intergenerational project.  In Year One the groups will meet regularly to develop movement and expressive skills, with a shared sense of belonging and work towards a short public performance within their local communities. In Year Two the groups will continue to meet regularly and will unite to form one large Belfast Movement Choir. A guest choreographer will be commissioned to create a new performance for the Belfast Movement Choir, which will be performed during one of the city’s key cultural festivals in autumn 2020.

The Movement Choirs will focus on 4  areas in Belfast with proactive women’s centres/groups and organisations;  women and girls regardless of their age, race, religion, physical or mental health, ability and preconceptions about dance and the arts in general. We are looking for people who will share a passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the movement choir and each other.

The Belfast Movement Choir is bringing different communities together to share positive social, educational and health benefits for participants and audiences; engaging in community dance, entering a dialogue, discovering ‘arts with a social purpose’. This approach has been chosen so we can learn and develop a greater understanding of self, the group and its place within the wider community.

Maiden Voyage will begin recruiting for the choirs in September which will be based at The Crescent Arts Centre, The Duncairn Arts Centre, Conway Mill and Eastside Arts. We are hoping to get started in October 2019.

If you are interested do look out for further information on the website or contact Sandy on info@maidenvoyagedance.com