transition

transition was a two-day conference investigating heritage through dance.
It was held in partnership with sampad and the National Museum of Liverpool
on 7th and 8th March 2008 at the World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN .

Bisakha Sarker, Artistic Director of Chaturangan, presented a full programme of events with thought provoking lectures and challenging debates. Taking dance as its focal point this two day conference explored and examined what heritage means in today's society.

Submitted papers by
François Matarasso
Naseem Khan
Ken Bartlett
Judy Ling Wong
now on-line

The conference was addressed by Naseem Khan OBE, Judy Ling Wong CBE, Ranjit Sondhi CBE, Christopher Thompson, François Matarasso, Ken Bartlett, Donald Hutera, Bill Harpe, Shane Shambu and other distinguished artists and speakers. The proceedings were facilitated by the artistic director of Contact, John Mc Grath.

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance. Internationally renowned company Wayne McGregor | Random Dance worked with young dancers from local groups the Greenhouse Project and a group of Bharata Natyam dancers training with Mira Balchandran Gokul in Southport, to create a piece exploring personal and genetic heritage through dance.

There was also a performance of a specially created piece "Spirit of Liverpool". This is a quote from performance:

Eight hundred different stories, eight hundred different songs Eight hundred different cultures, eight hundred different tongues Eight hundred different rhythms in eight hundred different streets Eight hundred different hearts all dancing to one beat Eight hundred years, eight hundred years [David Greygoose]

The conference brought delegates together to share information and experience of heritage through debate, thought provoking lectures and inspiring dance performances.

The conference explored the following questions.

- What is the definition of heritage?
- Has the definition of heritage changed?
- Who cares? Who shares? Who dares?
- How can heritage be preserved or evolved?
- What does mixed heritage mean in relation to dance practice?
- How can dance address young people's heritage?

A special attraction of the event was the European Premiere of Akram Khan and the National Ballet of China’s collaboration “BAHOK”, for which all conference delegates received a ticket. See here for more details.

The conference ended with English dancing and singing for all, lead by Joy & Eric Foxley.

See links at the left for abstracts and feedback, which will be added to as information is received.

Click here for PDF files of the handout front and back.

The conference administration was by Aspire Trust Ltd Email Aspire Trust.

Further feedback and information welcome at any time by Eric Foxley.