Movement and Music Medicine
IRIE! dance theatre is excited to present Movement & Music Medicine, a whole day event exploring the healing and transformative power of rhythm, music and dance of the African diaspora to enhance health, well-being and community resilience.
IRIE! is bringing together communities, academics, students, public health and creative practitioners for an exciting day of experience and knowledge-sharing on this important subject.
The event will include keynote speakers, refreshments and lunch, live music and performance.
When?
Wednesday 25th November 10am- 6pm (registration from 9.15am)
Where?
Moonshot Centre, Angus Street SE14 6LU
More information about how to book coming soon!
Speakers
Founding Artistic Director Founder, Artistic Director and CEO of IRIE! dance theatre Beverley has been working in the field of dance, in particular African Peoples Dance for over 20 years. Trained at the Laban Centre London (Trinity Laban), The Jamaica School of Dance and The Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba; she has continued her training and development in dance & culture by working alongside artists from West Africa, Europe, America, and the Caribbean. Beverley founded IRIE! dance theatre in 1985. The company pioneered the move towards representing and promoting reggae music and its movement nuances on stage. Over the years, IRIE! has grown in stature. As well as its touring dance theatre company, it has developed a much sought after education & community outreach programme. Since 1992 Beverley has developed the relationship between IRIE! dance theatre and City and Islington College, delivering workshops, lectures and performance projects. Since 2000 she has co- directed a number of performance/research projects in partnership with the College and IRIE! dance theatre including; Connecting vibes Dance Company and the Dance and Diversity project, funded by NESTA and ACE to investigate the place of African and Caribbean dance within performance and education She has worked to develop the new BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles, launched in 2018. In 2016 Beverley received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ADAD and in 2017 was awarded an MBE for services to the promotion of African and Caribbean Dance.
Keynote Speaker Dr Frissa is a public health and mental health leader with more than 30 years of experience in research, education, and global programme leadership. She holds a Doctor of Medicine and MSc in Public Health from Addis Ababa University, and a PhD in Psychiatric Epidemiology from King’s College London. At King’s, she led postgraduate programmes and contributed to major international research initiatives focused on strengthening mental health systems. Since becoming CEO of Black Thrive Global in 2023, she has championed mental health equity and wellbeing. She is also a published researcher with over 20 academic publications.
IRIE! Movement Language Nii Kwartey Owoo is a dynamic force in African dance and music, deeply rooted in his Ghanaian heritage. A percussionist, dancer, choreographer, and educator, he fuses traditional West African rhythms with contemporary expressions, creating powerful performances that celebrate African culture. His work often incorporates intricate movements, footwork, and gestures that tell stories of spirituality, history, and identity. As the lead artist of the Asasaa Ensemble, Nii blends highlife music with global influences, bridging generations and inviting audiences to connect with African traditions. Beyond performance, he’s a dedicated educator, teaching at institutions like IRIE! dance theatre, SOAS, University of London, University of Roehampton, London and Goldsmiths. Through these roles, Nii fosters an appreciation for African dance’s cultural significance. His community engagement, including collaborations with Spitalfields Music and Orchestras Live, further emphasizes his commitment to sharing African culture through workshops and educational programs. Nii Kwartey Owoo’s impact on the African diaspora is profound, preserving and evolving traditional arts while pushing the boundaries of contemporary African dance.
Embodiment & Undulation Dr Funmi Adewole Elliott is an independent performer, dance researcher, and founder of FAE Studios and Enact Arts CIC. Following a PhD in Dance Studies, she spent eight years in Higher Education before stepping into independent practice. Her ongoing practitioner-research has culminated in Ṣeré Kinesthetic, a distinctive creative practice she has developed by drawing on years of engagement with African and Diasporic dance and movement across a wide range of professional settings. (Ṣeré is the Yoruba word for "play".) Her work extends into Creative Health, where she works with elders through dance and movement.
Spirit Bodies Moving Dr ‘H’ Patten is an experienced performer, choreographer, filmmaker, and university lecturer. A former principle artist in Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble and Artistic Director of Koromanti Arts and ‘H’ Patten Dance Theatre Co. His international reputation in African and Caribbean arts spans 36 years. Patten’s publications include ‘Feel De Riddim, Feel De Vibes’ in Adair, C. and Burt, R. (2016) ‘British Dance: Black Routes’ (Routledge), and ‘Dancehall: A Continuity of Spiritual, Corporeal Practice in Jamaican Dance’ in Akinleye, A. (2018) Narratives in Black British Dance: Embodied practices’ (Palgrave McMillan). Dr. Patten recently completed his PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University (UK) entitled The Spirituality of Reggae Dancehall Dance Vocabulary: a Spiritual, Corporeal Practice in Jamaican Dance. Patten’s awards include the Jamaican High Commission 50th Anniversary Award for Arts, Culture and Entertainment (2012). Dr. Patten is a tutor in Dance of the African Diaspora. Co-developing and delivering classes relating specifically to African and Caribbean contemporary and traditional dance practices, critically grounded in DAD theory, cultural and dance analysis and also an associate Lecturer in Dance of the African Diaspora (Kingston University).
Grounded Sabrina Dixon is the CEO and Founder of Social Inclusion Recovery Group CIC (SIRG), a Black-led organisation working across education advocacy, health inequalities and community empowerment. She led the community engagement underpinning GROUNDED, capturing the voices and lived experiences of Black African and Caribbean communities following BLACHIR. Sabrina is also a VCSE Strategic Lead for Children and Young People within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, a Director of Lewisham Black Voluntary Network (LBVN), and a member of Lewisham’s Children and Young People Select Committee. Her work bridges community voice, health, education and local systems to influence change and improve outcomes for communities, children and families.
Artist in Residence and Rehearsal Director Shea Best wears many hats with IRIE!. Along with being the company's current Artist-in-Residence, he is a Dancer and Company Rehearsal Director with the performing company. With a Master’s in Choreography from Leeds Beckett University and ongoing studies in Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies, Shea's experience seamlessly blends academic research with performance artistry. As a mentor and researcher, Shea’s practice research elevates African and Caribbean dance forms as technically rigorous systems rich in cultural history, identity, and somatic knowledge. His work positions these traditions alongside Western classical counterparts as vital sources of physical longevity and health. By integrating traditional African and Caribbean somatic principles with modern and contemporary dance foundations, he develops holistic training approaches designed to expand physical access and extend career longevity for professional dancers, guiding students through rigorous practice-led inquiry and creative innovation.