Spet 25th PM discussion

A good supportive discussion this evening, mainly between those on Module One and those on Module three of the programme... no Module Two voices this time...

It was good to get going with some questioning that opened up the field of the discussion and the possibility for many voices and perspectives rather than the question (seeking answer) approach we tended to begin with. 

With areas of Creativity, Diversity, Culture, Gender and Ethics all raised as areas of peoples current practice-research-wonder in the space of a one-hour discussion we acknowledged the enormity of these areas and looked at routes into, processeses of considerations, making connections that are pivotal for all areas of research. 

There were some great techniques and strategies shared through the discussion which was great in developing a supportive community through these calls. 

Sophie suggested some preparatory focus on mindful-ness in order to have space to see, think, feel where you are and Amy spoke about trust. Trust in your practice and trusting that you are in a process of learning (in practice and study) is vital. Andrew suggested ways of coming back to where you began, looking back over notes, past blogs, reminding yourself of the journey you've taken so far on the BAPP being helpful to situate where you are right now...this is very much the process of the mapping in the first module also. 

Thoughts were shared around approaches to mapping, translating ideas from literature, from others, and across discipline and acknowledging the lenses we use to relate things around us. 

It will be great to read more and continue these conversations through your blogs, draw things visually too if that's helpful to you in visually mapping thoughts... Do comment here with your blog post in relation to theis discussion group for others...

Re:generations conference

We are really excited to be able to offer a few funded places for BAPP students to be able to attend the Re:generations conference hosted by One Dance UK in partnership with Mdx in November. The funding covers three days of entry to the conference plus your accommodation. The conference is held at The Lowry, Salford, in the UK. 

Re:generations is a biennial academic and artistic conference which aims to share current practice and research in the field of dance of the African Diaspora (DAD); explore and stimulate further research, documentation and new approaches to education and training in the field; and encourage new perspectives on the future of African Peoples Dance (APD). The conference invites scholars, artists and dance practitioners from the Caribbean, Africa, the United States, Canada and the UK to share their research with other artists, practitioners, dance teachers, students and the general public.

The Re:generations Conference* is the UK’s ONLY international platform dedicated to connecting academic and artistic voices within African influenced dance styles; such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Afro Caribbean, traditional and contemporary African and Caribbean, Afro-Latin, and African American Dance.

This will be a great opportunity to be a part of a vibrant conference, network with other artist-scholar practitioners, and get inspired in your own professional development. The funding requires you to blog each day about the sessions, papers, workshops and performances you attend to share with the rest of the BAPP community.

To express your interest please comment here. We will then email you directly. We will announce which students have places on October 10th 2019. 

*Re:generations – dance and the digital space

7-9 November 2019
The Lowry, Salford

An international forum exploring how technology drives innovation in dance of the African Diaspora.

Hosted in partnership by One Dance UK, IRIE! dance theatre, Middlesex University, Dance Immersion and The Lowry, the theme for Re:generations 2019 is dance and the digital space. We will explore the ways digital technologies can be used for artistic innovation and creative practise, unite global communities through online platforms whilst increasing the visibility of diverse work to mainstream audiences.

Across the three days there will be panel discussions, lecture demonstrations, masterclasses, workshops, academic paper presentations, performances, networking events and more!

The conference will provide CPD for dance teachers, healthcare practitioners and other dance professionals, in addition to bespoke programming for producers, new media practitioners and executive artistic leaders. A key event will be the launch of the report for One Dance UK’s ‘Dance of the African Diaspora Mapping Research’; presenting the current state and needs of the DAD workforce with a scope for future growth and development.

Catch Up Skype!!

Hope you're all having a great first week of study!

I'm running a Catch-Up skype for anyone who was unable to make the Welcome skypes last week. 

This will be FRIDAY Sept 20th at 5pm (UK time)

Please comment here if you would like to attend and make sure you have connected with me on Skype ahead of this - helen.kindred2

Getting Started

Great to meet so many of you during the Welcome skypes over the weekend. 

As we all get settled into the first week of term; finding your space for study is really important. Figuring out when and where the BA is part of your life to that your practice and your study becoming intertwined.This is essential in a programme which is about your Professional Practice. As you move through the first couple of weeks, reading through module handbooks, beginning to dig into something from the reading list and becoming more conscious perhaps of your own practice as a 'thing', it is important to remind yourself to take the time to listen to your own rhythms, observe your own patterns and be aware of your own learning processes. 

Whilst this week's date marks the 'term start date' on our calendars it is important to recognise that starting something isn't usually as quick as a calendar date suggests.  

Starting out for the first time, or starting back to re-join something after a break can mean a re-balance of patterns, schedules, spaces and places...finding how study is integrated / (re) integrated into your work/life patterns.  We think it is important that you begin to find some kind of 'home' for your study, this might be clearing a physical space in your house to work in, finding a coffee shop that has a good vibe to you to be able to work there, checking out libraries or other spaces that may feel good to you.  

 

Looking at your schedules...it may be that you are able to block out one day per week that you ring as your 'BA day', it may not...You may prefer to set aside an hour each morning / an hour each evening and decide that you'll dedicate that to your studies.  You may see already that you have a particularly busy period next month and so no you will not be able to dedicate time to your studies then, but can free-up some time either side of that period. Whatever the pattern, whatever works is individual to you, and important for you to recognise and commit to, completing your Study Plan helps with this.  Adesola and I are pretty flexible with our work/life patterns too and so we can work with you in terms of appointments for one-to-one Skype calls, responding to emails etc, BUT... this is where the blogs are a great way of communicating...you can blog whenever you feel like it...2am, 6am... and others will engage with this when they feel like it, quite possibly in a different time-zone altogether! The blogs are a great week 1 activity to get you connected with those on this BAPP journey with you...get to know your support network right now!

So take this week to observe your patterns, re-jig a little space where needed, feel comfortable in your study environment, locate yourself within the university systems (UniHub / My learning / handbooks).

I'd like to leave you 'starting' with a note on beginning from Musician/philosopher Gary Peters;

'The beginning is not the start of the work but the choice of a way into that which has certainly already started'.

 The study is your professional practice...start finding your way in!

New term...

Welcome to those joining us and beginning their BAPP journey this term and Welcome back to all our returning students. 

We have Induction/Welcome back skype sessions scheduled for the following times next week:

Friday Sept 13th - 6pm  
OR
Saturday Sept 14th - 3pm

Please make sure you sign-up for one of the sessions by commenting on Adesola's blog:

http://adesolamapp.blogspot.com/

Those new to BAPP please send both us a skype contact request before the calls so that we can make sure you're able to be a part of them!

Helen's Skype - helen.kindred2
Adesola's Skype - aonthephone

Looking forward to talking with you all then and to the term ahead...

Helen