Where to begin? 2012 was an intense year for many reasons, probably because it started with such intensity. In fact it was such a year its taken me nearly two months to complete this post!
Here's a look back at what are my favourite memories from 2012.
British Dance Edition London 2012
British Dance Edition London 2012 was my first job on leaving Breakin' Convention. It is the UK's premiere dance platform presenting some of the best work being produced by British based choreographers today. The four day event was attended by 300 of the worlds top promoters and producers. I was producing the event for the London Consortium; Dance Umbrella, East London Dance, Greenwich Dance, ROH2, Sadler's Wells, Southbank Centre, The Place and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. It took place across all these venues between 2-5 February.
Partners in crime. My fabulous festival coordinator Fran and I
First night networking at Sadler's Wells
New Art Club hosting the cabaret and insisting all delegates danced with them!
Nigel Charnock's fabulous "Ten Men" closing the cabaret at Greenwich Dance
Charelle, one of our brilliant volunteers leading the delegates on a cross London walk to see more dance
Last day round of applause! How nice of them.
After every intense period of work must come the down time for rest and recovery. I got laryngitis but my lovely cousin whisked me away to Thailand to recover. Recover I did!
In 2011 I embarked upon a project that would change my life forever. A colleague Nicola and I set up Catalyst Rwanda and took old school B Boy Pervez to Rwanda to work with over 100 former street children at Les Enfants de Dieu, Kigali.
We were accompanied by Bret Syfert, a long time friend of Pervez but also a B Boy, graphic designer and film maker too. He made a beautiful film of our time in Kigali, Yes, Man! We launched the film to an invited audience in the spring.
Yes, Man! from Bret Syfert on Vimeo.
Original Live 2 Break crew members - Pervez, Billy Biznizz and Halit - at the screening.
Breakin' Convention 2012 - live stream
I was delighted to get the call from Breakin' Convention in the spring. They were doing a livestream event at Breakin' Convention and wanted me to come on board and produce it. It was great to be back. The event was part of the BBC and Arts Council England initiative The Space. I loved the experience of working with artists and directors and it was great to be part of sharing Breakin' Convention with the world in this new way.
Temporary television studio at Sadler's Wells
Graffiti make over for the television studio by Art Jazz
iLL Abilities were a pleasure to work with
Filming workshops, graffiti freestyling audience members and of course the stage!
Some of the team! Hosts DJ Sarah Love and Hakeem 'Mr Impact' Onibudo, volunteer (also one of the brains behind Insidedance.tv) and me (hiding a redbull behind me!!)
Looking shattered about to call "CUT" and go to the afterparty!
Love Box was great and a great treat! Last minute call from the lovely Tinku and there I was watching Chakka Kahn, Chic and Grace Jones ... very very very happy Kate!
Okay totally silly spelling but July was gigantic. Possibly the busiest month of my life. So busy I have to actually make a note of it with some photos ...
July 1. Greenwich World Cultural Festival, Project Manager.
This was for Greenwich Dance and Greenwich Theatre at Eltham Palace. Beautiful site for a project
My niece Scarlett doing her first dance workshop!
July 2. Big Dance Granary Square, Producer
This was immense, a fantastic outdoor day of dance for Sadler's Wells in the newly opened Granary Square, King's Cross.
July 3. Presenting work at Africa Utopia, Southbank Centre
This was the highlight of the 2012. With the support of Southbank Centre we bought Rafiki (Centre Manager), Willy (former street boy now at school and aged 19) and Didier (former street boy, now 11 and living at the centre) from Les Enfants de Dieu to London to be part of Africa Utopia. They lived with me and my family and it was a roller coster ten days.
Being welcomed to Southbank by Wendy Martin
Willy, Faraz, Didier, me, Rafiki and Jude during our event at Southbank Centre.
Pervez, Billy and Willy getting the party started.
Billy Biznizz shows Didier the ropes!
Pervez, Nicola and I also did numerous workshops and presentations around the project in July also. In particular I have to thank Wendy Martin and Jude Kelly for believing in us, Linzi, Esther, Hannah, Tamsin and Jessica at Southbank for all your work and of course Bret for letting us screen the film, Yes, Man!
I was awarded my first piece of funding, a Big Dance Microgrant. I have got funding for so many artists before but never for myself! Get Down took place in East London and included social dance and breaking workshops and a social dance party. Bringing people together through dance.
In October I answered a tender for the British Council and was lucky enough to be one of three arts professionals taken to Seoul, South Korea for a 10 day exchange. It was amzing. I first went in 2008 to the R16 b boy festival set up by Cartel Creative (Charlie Shin and John Jay Chon). Was really excited to go back.
I was there for the Performing Arts Market as well as numerous meetings with incredible venues, promoters and artists.
Pre round table event - my partners in crime on this trip
An array of incredible food!
And tons of style everywhere! I can't wait to go back.
The Korean trip and really the whole year of contemplation about work and values really took me on a long journey. Air miles aside, I feel that 2012 was a year of growth and reflection. Of taking stock and seeing my strengths, the areas I need to focus on improving and where my contribution to the world and to the communities that have supported me lies. Really a challenging and uplifting year.
Thank you to all who were a part of this year. Really looking forward to putting all this into practice in 2013. Wishing you a healthy, happy and creative year.
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