English National Ballet “Dance in Perpetuity”
A collaboration between English National Ballet and Portugal-UK 650 with the support from Braga City Council.
Dance in Perpetuity is one of several exciting cultural projects created to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. It aims to encourage inter-cultural dialogue, develop participants’ skills, confidence, creativity and cooperation, and promote friendship and collaboration across cultures. Enjoy a dance work performed by young people in Braga, and take your place in the spotlight in a final moment of celebration as members of the audience are encouraged to join in the festivities – and in the steps!
In 2022 “Dance in Perpetuity” culminated with a performance on 9 July 2022, 5.30pm, City Council of Braga Square, where the 100 dancers from the six schools in Braga came together to perform the complete work Dance in Perpetuity in the communal square. Th choir of The Queen’s College of the University of Oxford, directed by Owen Rees, performed live the world premiere of the beautiful score created for “Dance in Perpetuity” by the composer Charlotte Harding.
The six dance schools that took part in the project in 2022 are:
Academia Braga Dança
Arte Total
Ent´artes – Escola de Dança
Escola de Ballet do Colégio Dom Diogo de Sousa
Backstage Escola de Dança e Artes Performativas
Bracara Team
The six dance schools that are taking part in 2023 are to be announced.
PERFORMANCE In London 2023
n 2023 there will be a performance in London in June, date to be announced.
Young people from six dance schools have been hard at work in rehearsal with an international creative team brought together by English National Ballet. This will culminate in a celebratory performance, in which members of the audience are encouraged to take part! The celebration theme is for everyone to learn something new, come together and have fun, and is inspired by the Treaty of Alliance theme of perpetual peace and friendship.
Please note: you are of course very welcome to attend simply to watch.
We hope you can come and see them dance, and would love for as many audience members as possible to take part in the finale. No previous dance experience needed!
Put on your dancing shoes for the performance finale: everyone is welcome!
English National Ballet hopes to inspire as many people as possible to take part in the Dance in Perpetuity finale. Come together and embrace the art of dance as a chance to learn something new and engage in a celebratory experience.
We have created free resources: films, a music track and a guide for you to learn a few steps and get involved in the finale, whatever your age, dance experience, and ability.
Video 1: An Introduction
Video 2: Celebration Dance (Standing version)
Video 3: Celebration Dance (Seated Version)
REHEARSAL FOR COMMUNITY FINALE
There will be a scheduled rehearsal for everyone interested in learning the celebratory finale in the week commencing 4 July 2022, leading up to the performance on 9 July 2022. Sign up to receive details by emailing: marisa.teixeira@cm-braga.pt
DANCE IN PERPETUITY TEAM
Creative Team:
Choreographer: Ruth Brill
Composer: Charlotte Harding
Costume Designer: András Jacobs
Filmmaker: Pete Snell, Shiny Studio
Project leads from six dance schools in Braga:
Isabel Maia
Carolina Vieira
Diana Sá Carneiro
Joana Raquel Antunes
Rosália Passinhas
Cristiane Barbosa
English National Ballet:
Project Lead and Director of Engagement: Fleur Derbyshire-Fox
Artistic Advisor and Head of Creative Programmes: Laura Harvey
Founded in 1950, English National Ballet (ENB) is a pioneering ballet company that takes world class ballet to the widest possible audience. We are committed to developing the artform whilst celebrating the classics and tour nationally and internationally to prestigious venues worldwide. Our significant and influential contribution to Britain’s cultural sector is demonstrated by strong and diverse audiences, the outstanding talent we attract and retain and regular recognition by key
industry awards – recently winning the 2020 National Dance Award for ‘Best Company Response to the Pandemic’. ENB is recognised as a UK leader for creative learning and community outreach, promoting wider and deeper engagement with the Company and the art form through its three overarching strands: Creative Learning, Developing Talent and Public Engagement. ENB’s Engagement work promotes diversity and inclusivity across all projects and programmes; connects communities from a wide demographic – breaking down barriers to involvement and delivering positive health impacts
physically, socially, and mentally. Placing ENB’s repertory at the heart of Engagement, ENB delivers world-class programmes, develops talent, is at the forefront of ground-breaking research collaborations and forges inspirational partnerships nationally and internationally.
To find out more, visit English National Ballet’s website at www.ballet.org.uk