Freedom of Movement Festival

A fresh, online dance festival celebrating the FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT and showcasing Stanley Arts’ incredible associate and resident dance artists: Beeja, BirdGang and Agudo Dance Company. Working exclusively with local talent, they represent the best of the UK dance scene. Join Beeja, BirdGang and Agudo Dance Company as they bring the energy into your home over 3 nights of performances – get ready to want to groove.

Stanley Arts is South London’s radically inclusive arts and performance venue. Having launched our new brand in 2021 we are bursting onto your screens with our first ever commissioned dance festival.

You will be sent a private Zoom link to view the show after booking on the day of the event.

All 3 companies will perform each evening. The pieces to be presented are:

Beeja – Colour Contact

London is colourful. Its rich with hues of the people who are its residents. Colour Contact explores and celebrates the diversity of London through the history of its people.

Beeja is a Croydon based dance company lead by Anusha Subramanyam. They create work using bharatanatyam and other Indian classical dance forms; Bollywood; Indian folk; contemporary dance; body conditioning forms like pilates and yoga; visual arts, music and design — as well as including storytellers and spoken text. Beeja choreographs for a diverse range of traditional and innovative spaces and has performed in major theatres, museums and even the London Underground. Beeja creates workshops and residencies for performance professionals, schools, hospitals, special needs groups, elderly, early years and corporate environments.

BirdGang – White Girl / Black Girl and Everything Inbetween
Written & Directed by Simeon Qsyea

White Girl / Black Girl and Everything Inbetween is a performance piece that explores why we feel the need to constantly keep dividing humanity. How much do labels help? 

BirdGang are movement architects, bringing their spirit, craft and live experiences to brands, audiences and pupils around the world. Established in 2015 BirdGang is known for their high quality impactful content. Writer, director and choreographer Simeon Qsyea is the founder of BirdGang and creative director. He is recognised for his innovative approach to creative movement in numerous mediums including Fashion, Theatre, Live Events and Film. Recently he has been awarded several accolades for his BBC Film “Flying Home” filmed during lockdown.

Agudo Dance Company – The Hero’s Journey

In the moment we leave a place, there is a death that will be conquered by a birth. The Hero’s Journey celebrates the unique stories of 3 male dancers and explores their perception of freedom.

As Artistic Director of Agudo Dance Company, Jose Agudo creates evocative contemporary dance performances that tour throughout the UK and internationally. His production ‘Silk Road’ has toured for 3 years with live music in 6 countries to critical acclaim. In 2019, Jose created and performed the opening ceremony for the Davis Cup tennis championships in Madrid, which was televised worldwide. His latest production ‘Carmen’ will tour from autumn 2021.

Composition: Agraha by Bernhard Schimpelsberger/ Originally commissioned by Sona Lisa

Image credit: Laurent Gambarelli