AN INITIATIVE aiming to encourage everyone, irrespective of ethnicity or colour, to take part in events, learn about shared global history and celebrate diversity and cultural understanding is extending an open invitation for people can come join them online for a series of dance workshops
Based in Wrexham, Rainbow Starlings is a Black History Cymru 365 creative programme of multi-cultural dance for young people to learn and develop their skills in dance, movement and choreography.
Rainbow Starlings are based in Wrexham
The aim is to understand and engage not only in a range of authentic art forms, but to use those art forms as a basis to develop future dance.
The sessions are aimed at having fun, whilst developing movement and music skills, engaging with others to work together to build confidence and co-ordination and to work towards creating new ways to perform.
The collective originally formed earlier this year and had two well attended free to enter dance workshops at Ty Pawb in Wrexham, prior to lockdown.
Wrexham based hip hop dance teacher Tom Hughes Lloyd shot his video at home during lockdown
The original plan was for the dancers to learn a choreographed routine and perform at The Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak the dance workshops and project were suspended.
Not to be deterred by lockdown, a group of enthusiastic individuals have been working tirelessly to migrate the project online in the hope that people can all unite in dance together, even though we must be apart.
Brazilian Capoeira teacher Angharad Harrop
A total of four online lessons have been produced, shot by the dance instructors during lockdown and professionally edited together.
The dances range from Hip Hop, Capoeira, Bollywood and African Dance.
Rainbow Starlings aim to premier one video at 11am every Saturday of August on the Race Council Cymru Youtube channel and are extending an open invitation for people to join in and take part.
Wrexham based Rainbow Starlings project re-booted and moved online due to coronavirus
Race Council Cymru (RCC) leads the Black History programme in Wales - both for Black History Month Wales (BHMW) and for Black History Cymru 365 (BHC365). RCC work in partnership with venues, organisations, Artists and grassroots communities across Wales to design and deliver a growing Black History Wales programme.
Black History Month Wales is a programme of events and activities to celebrate Black History in Wales, but we firmly believe that Black History should be taught and celebrated not just annually in October, but throughout the year. Black History Cymru 365 (BHC365) delivers informative, educational and celebratory programmes of events showcasing the contributions made by the people of African and African-Caribbean descent to local, national and world history and culture all year round.
African dance teacher Lisinayte Gomes Lopes filming her dance instruction video during lockdown for Wrexham based Rainbow Starlings
Iolanda Banu Viegas, of Black History Cymru 365, said: “We sincerely thank Arts Council Wales for continuing to fund Black History Wales and for working in partnership with RCC on the development of the Black History Wales programme for the past 5 years. We also thank our many partners, supporters, sponsors and contributors for their long term commitment to Black History without whom this programme would not be possible.”
Videographer and editor on the project, Craig Colville added: "It was great to work with so many talented individuals who all had such drive to keep the project going forward and adapting to the unique circumstances.
"We wanted to 'premier' the videos in the hope that people will join in dance together, when we need to stay apart."
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