I still feel (re)fresh(ed) from the Freeday Previews last week, as they were SO diverse. Well done to Linda Skakel and her Triba Flamenca, who are subverting flamenco in a really interesting and creatively inspiring way, and to Laura Hope Steckler who made a beautiful meditative work which referenced nothing less than the Universe and Life Itself.

Way to go Laura - really great to see her back in the studio.

Then, less fresh but still uppermost in my mind, is a meeting last week at Derby’s Deda Dance with the National Dance Network (NDN) where yours truly is representing the Scottish dance community single handed at this point, although I am on the lookout for other dance directors in Scotland to share this with.

NDN are doing a lot now…primarily the BDE bi-annual showcases, but also many other projects that are being born collaboratively between all the NDA’s of the UK (including Wales and Scotland). You can find out what the mission statement and vision are by going to www.bde2010.co.uk and following the links.

One initiative has been Dance3 which is touring the UK thanks to the work of the fabulous Marie McCluskey at Swindon, Weike in Yorkshire and Assis in Cambridge, but not yet touring as far north as here. No Scottish artists were on these triple bills, and I would like to hear from anyone who would like to be considered, should this go forward into another project. There are flyers in the reception of Dance Base and the website is www.dance3.org.

The Dance Vote emails that are being distributed in advance of the election by Dance UK are gaining votes and getting responses from the UK wide dance community. Scotland’s response has been small so far for obvious reasons according to Dance UK, although I’m not sure what those reasons are! The major votes have been from the Isle of Lewis. Hello? What’s going on up there? The idea is you email your local MP and ask what they are doing about dance in your area/life/community etc. Very swift responses and a new awareness of dance is all that can happen. Go for it. www.dancevote2010.com

After you’ve had a glance at that NDN website, let me know if there’s anything you would like me to take to the next meeting, which is in June.

Scottish Ballet is to welcome Catherine Cassidy into their Education Department on the 17th; a fantastic appointment in my humble opinion. Good luck to Catherine and congratulations to the ballet!

Speaking of ballet, I’ m all excited, in that dewy eyed 9 year old loving-ballet-way, that La Danse is in town, it’s a glorious movie about the Paris opera and promises “utter entrancement”.

Sign me up for that right now. It’s showing at the Filmhouse on Mon 3 May - Mon 9 May.

See you soon, here or there…….Happy Beltane. Be wild.

Morag Deyes MBE | Artistic Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it