Making Tracks

Making Tracks is IRIE! dance theatre’s professional development program for undergraduates, mid-career and professional practitioners. The programs offered through Making Tracks are designed to meet the professional development needs of individuals training and or working in the African/Caribbean dance sector and creative industries. Programs include master classes, summer schools, dance platforms, debates and more, all led by experienced industry professionals and academics.

Making Tracks with Nii Tagoe

Our next Making Tracks will feature Nii Tagoe and will consist of a Dance Master Class plus “In Conversation…”.

Nii Tagoe was born in Accra, Ghana, into a royal family from whom he inherited his talent for dancing, drumming and singing.  As the Artistic Director of Frititi and principal percussionist of Baka Beyond, Nii brings to all his work the fruits of immersing his life into the diverse dance rhythmic traditions of Ghana.

The focus for the Dance Master Class will be Sohu – a cult dance of the Ewe-speaking people of Ghana.  It is used specifically for initiation and “out-dooring” ceremonies.

During “In Conversation…” Nii Tagoe will provide insights into his career as a dancer, choreographer and percussionist.

If you book in advance, the admission for the full Making Tracks program is £25.00 or £20.00 for concessions (i.e. students and unemployed) and places are limited.  So, if you’re interested in attending this event please book as soon as possible.  If places are still available on the day then the admission will be more.

You can pay for this Master Class by selecting the appropriate PayPal link below.  Please note that if you choose the concession rate then you will need to bring evidence when you attend the class.

Dance Master Class & “In Conversation…”		11:00am-01:30pm
Full Price		Concession
Dance Master Class Only		11:00am-01:30pm
Full Price		Concession
“In Conversation…” Only		02:00pm-03:00pm
Full Price		Concession

If you have any questions about this Master Class please do not hesitate to either call us or use the Contact Form on this website to send us an email with your enquiry.

Lifetime Achievement Award for Jackie Guy

Our October 2011 Making Tracks featured Jackie Guy – an internationally renowned choreographer and one of Britain’s leading tutor/lecturers in the area of African-Caribbean dance forms.

And this Making Tracks was an extra special occasion as this renowned artist was presented with the inaugural ADAD Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jackie Guy trained at the Jamaica School of Dance and is a graduate and former Principal Dancer of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.   He fuses traditional Caribbean dance and Folklore with elements of Contemporary dance.  Jackie Guy has worked with numerous dance and arts organisations including the Birmingham Royal Ballet Education Department, BBC Philharmonic (Manchester) Education Department, ACT Theatre Company, Talawa Theatre Company and Royal Festival Hall.  And, of course Jackie Guy has also had a long association with IRIE! dance theatre.

For instance, he was the Course Director of the UK’s first Diploma in African and Caribbean dance – a course pioneered by IRIE! dance theatre and delivered in partnership with City & Islington College and Birbeck College, University of London.  (This course has since been replaced by the a Dance Foundation Degree in which African and Caribbean dance have equal status run by IRIE! dance theatre in partnership with City & Islington College and Metropolitan University.)