REMEMBERNG 2024
My best friend kept saying to me, 2024 is your year. And It became a phrase that I would repeat often in my head. A kind of manifestation of sorts. I don’t know what powers were at play, but it has felt like, after 7 years of nonstop graft, the gains have started to come through - and I guess, she was right. 2024 was wildly successful for us.
SUNNY SIDE DROP IN
Are you living in Calderdale and want to talk about mental health, loneliness, or life in the valley? Join us for an informal drop-in session to share your experiences and help shape our dance-theatre show, SUNNY SIDE, and its accompanying documentary.
We’re particularly keen to hear from men (especially young men), as we explore these important themes.
When:
Wednesday 18 December, 3pm – 7pm
Where:
The Trades Club, Holme St, Hebden Bridge HX7 8EE
REVIVING HER MENTORSHIPS
It’s International Women’s Day!
We’re delighted to announce that we are offering 4 Mentorships for female-identifying persons in traditionally male-led areas of the arts, specifically positions in our new project, REVIVING HER, that are filled by male professionals. There will be four 1-2-1 sessions as a minimum for each participant. Click the link below to find out more!
REVIVING HER INTENSIVE
Early bird tickets have just gone on sale for our REVIVING HER INTENSIVE!
As a participant, you’ll learn devising techniques, company repertoire and a better understanding of how the company makes dance theatre with a societal impact. Together we will explore the many versions of ourselves, shifting through layers of external noise to reconnect with our most authentic, powerful self. We’ll remember the choices, the boulders, the freedom and the defeat. Join us in Reviving Her.
REVIVING HER begins!
After being selected as a Key Commission for Culturedale 2024, we’re excited to let you know that our outreach for REVIVING HER has begun! 🥳
WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN CALDERDALE AGED 14-25 TO TAKE PART IN WEEKLY WORKSHOPS LEADING TO PERFORMANCES IN HALIFAX THIS JULY.
Funding News ✨
We are so over the moon to announce that we have received Arts Council England funding to develop ‘REVIVING HER’ into a full length work 😱
AND to announce that Northern Rascals and this project have been selected as a Key Commission for Culturedale 2024 with Calderdale Council💕
This is our biggest project ever and brings together a team of 22 freelancers to support it 💪 it also means there will be LOTS of opportunities to get in the studio with us including new contracts, an intensive and 4 mentorships for young female artists 🪩
Everything will be announced on our newsletters first so head to our homepage to sign up or keep an eye on our socials 👀
SHED is back on tour
2 weeks until SHED visits Riley Theatre at NSCD!
3 shorts. 4 dancers. 1 pop-up shed.
The show looks at the stories that make us; love, loss, confused and messy emotions combine in this portrait of humanity.
🎟️ Tickets £15 with discounts for students, under 19s, unwaged and over 60s. NSCD students can go for just a fiver!
🔗 Book yourself a ticket!
PS... it's your last chance to see this show in a theatre setting! 👀
is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Flow with Flo Podcast!
"There's patience, there's this constant give and take, and sit back, and take space that happens with us"
We're so happy to have *finally* been on Flow with Flo podcast 📣 expect chats on affirmation, collaboration and imposter syndrome 🤝
Listen here
2023 Wrapped 💥
Oh wow, what a year 2023 has been. On reflection, it’s been absolutely bonkers. We’ve been creating a new show, touring another, leading outreach all over the country whilst self-producing and wearing all the silly hats you’ve got to wear as creative freelancers.
During that time, we’ve had so many highs, so much wonderful feedback and connections and moments that will stay with us forever. We’ve retained and made some wonderful new partnerships (shout out to CAPA College and York St John University in particular who’ve always followed through and gone above and beyond to help us). We’ve built a creative team that is full of people that we love and admire and are constantly blown away by their bloody talent (shout out to you all, we’ve held and loved and cried and laughed and danced with each other so much this year - we love you!) 💕
Amongst the highs, we’ve also had a lot of lessons, a lot of unsuccessful funding bids, a lot of stress, burn-out, time away from each other, a lot of venting and feeling like we’re busting at the seams. We’ve poured every scrap of energy that we’ve had to give it our all this year, and that means some things have had to be sacrificed.
We think the greatest take from this year is how lucky we are to work and live the life we do. To live your childhood dream as your career is the biggest gift. This job/life lets us create worlds, connect with people, hold stranger’s hands after our shows. It allows us constant deep thought, deep conversation, deep connections. Small moments that matter in some way to someone.
Now, we hit pause for a few weeks - we pour that love and connection into our families and friends, refill the tank and come back next year to continue.
Sending love,
Anna and Sam 🤝
An Update From Us 📣
From 2024, Northern Rascals will be leaving The Middle Floor. Since our collaboration began in Feb 22, we have taken much pride and pleasure in our involvement with the Middle Floor. Over a period of nearly 2 years, we reshaped the studio, renovated the space and created a second studio space that became the place of work for young local artists. We collaborated with the Middle Floor to set up a class programme structure including the regular Pro Classes and programmed workshops and events that helped build the Middle Floor community as we know it today. However, it is now time for us to focus our efforts elsewhere and look forward to the future. We wish the Middle Floor the best of luck moving forward.
A huge thank you to everyone that supported us, to the family and friends that helped us decorate, the community that came to our classes and events and the wonderful artists that came on board with us 🤝
Photos by @ellywelphotography
Come Watch our Arden Show!
Today marks the END of 3 incredible weeks spent with the beautiful students of @ardendance 💃 It also marks the OPENING of 2 performances of ours and their brand new show ‘Upside Down Under’ 🥀
Told in the brave, fearless, and honest voices of this group, who themselves are emerging from the chaos of coming of age, the show is a call to arms, offering empathy, and strength, and urging a disruption in learned patterns to allow young women to flourish 🕊️
🎟️ 2:30pm & 7:30pm
🎟️ 30 mins duration
* shows are nearly sold out but some tickets available on @ardendance
New Commission at Arden Uni
This week we're beginning a 3 week journey with @arden_university creating a 30 minute performance for their students! 🎓
Interested in collaborating with us? You know you can always drop us a line...
💌 northernrascals@gmail.com 💌
It's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from @guardian for SHED at @theplacelondon!
"Everyday realities are danced out within four confining walls"
Northern Rascals go SOUTH ⬇️
That’s right, we’re in London for our performance of SHED at @theplacelondon on Sat 28 Oct! ✨
This is our first performance in London and we are so excited to be making the journey down!
Book the last remaining tickets now!
This Week in Culture Interview with Anna!
"I’ve always tried to trust my gut, trust that eight year old girl and fulfil her dreams of having this career – I think we’re getting there!" 💕
Anna Holmes has been speaking to 'This Week In Culture' all about Northern Rascals' creative process, her upbringing, and what audiences can expect from SHED. Give it a read via the link below!
SHED goes to Salford!
The next stop on our #SHEDtour is to @newadelphitheatre, Salford! ➠
📆 25TH OCTOBER 2023
⏰ 7:30 PM
Tickets are Pay What You Can.
SHED is an engaging, ultimately uplifting, beautifully written and choreographed portrait of confused emotions, love and loss and the essential humanity that resides in us all.
Book now via the link in our bio!
COME SEE CAPA AS A PART OF SHED
The students of CAPA College have created a curtain raiser in response to their experience of working in the studio with Northern Rascals 🪩
Taking repertoire from SHED, the CAPA students have put their own spin on the material to create their own high-energy, exciting piece of dance.
Come along to see it tonight at @capacollege!
Read our interview at Roar News!
Artistic Director Anna Holmes has been talking to @roar.news about all things SHED, life in the performing arts industry in the current state of the UK, and much more!
Give the interview a read!
SHED goes on tour!
Today we started our rehearsal week for SHED at @capacollege! Don’t miss our opening performance here in #Wakefield on Friday 20 October!
SHED uses digital art, spoken word and contemporary dance performance to raise awareness of the issues young people face with their mental health
SHED TOUR
OCT 20 '23 - CAPA COLLEGE WAKEFIELD
OCT 25 '23 - NEW ADELPHI SALFORD
OCT 28 '23 - THE PLACE LONDON
JAN 27 '24 - NORTHERN SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Tonight our SUNNY | SIDE Preview Tour comes to an end at Stage @ Leeds
Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket, done a workshop with us, written to us with your thoughts, told us what this show means to you... it has been a wild ride and we couldn't be more proud of what we've created. Thank you to all the many minds, hearts and souls who have made this show possible.
And if you haven't booked yet, and you're free tonight in Leeds... you know what to do!
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and the final performance of SUNNY | SIDE.
The journey to understanding yourself and finding a sense of belonging can be incredibly challenging. Let's be there for each other, offer support, and create a world where every voice can be heard, especially those who feel like they don't quite fit in, like K in SUNNY | SIDE 💚💪
Together, we can break down the barriers that make it difficult for young men and people of all backgrounds to find their place and take care of their mental health. ✨
📸 Elly Welford
TONIGHT it's our SUNNY | SIDE PREMIERE!
TONIGHT it's our SUNNY | SIDE PREMIERE at Square Chapel in Halifax including a curtain raiser performance featuring a group of local young people!
SUNNY | SIDE is a raw portrayal of the modern young male experience, informed by the experiences of over 750 young people across the UK. This has been many years in the making. We're so excited to share it with you.
Performance starts at 8pm - will you be there?
👉 You can still book for tonight's performance via the link!
SUNNY | SIDE trailer reveal! ⛅️
K is struggling.
At 18, he’s living in a world where everyone is rushing full-steam ahead but himself. He’s trapped in a small English Everytown; a self-proclaimed ‘rain-soaked paradise’ in the bottom of a Yorkshire valley. A town of two sides: old versus new, indigenous versus gentrified. And yet there’s still nowhere that seems to fit K.
In a last attempt to understand and reconnect, he revisits the pivotal moments of his life but is left paralysed at the prospect of a future where his voice can’t be heard.
🎬 @benny_wynn
A term of teaching!
Today we're beginning a term of lecturing at @yorkstjohn, leading technique classes! 🎓
Don't forget you can buy tickets for SUNNY | SIDE at York St John University on Friday 6 Oct, 7.30pm 👇
Find the link in our bio 🔗
SHED GOES BACK ON TOUR!
SHED uses digital art, spoken word and contemporary dance performance to raise awareness of the issues young people face with their mental health.
Performed by a small cast of dancers in a pop-up structure, SHED invites its audience to stand on the outside and look in.
SHED TOUR
OCT 20 '23 - CAPA COLLEGE
OCT 25 '23 - NEW ADELPHI SALFORD
OCT 28 '23 - THE PLACE LONDON
JAN 27 '24 - NORTHERN SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Book now via the link in our bio!
RASCALS go to London!
All next week we're teaching a PRO CLASS at @theplacelondon!
📆 Mon 18 - Fri 22 Sep, 9am each morning
Our signature classes are an opportunity to step away from exterior noise and into your personal movement practice. High-energy, bassy beats and improvisation focussed, our practice is founded on celebrating the very best version of self in the studio. Expect to be led through a series of tasks and improvisational scores with opportunities to play, laugh and feel supported in every moment. Be wild, be messy, be more Rascal.
Book now via @theplacelondon - link in bio 🔗
📸 by Elly Welford
It's SUNNY | SIDE Production Week at Stage@Leeds! ⭐️
It's SUNNY | SIDE Production Week at Stage@Leeds! ⭐️
With just 1 month and a day to go until we open, we are so excited to share this work with you.
In a last attempt to understand and reconnect, K revisits the pivotal moments of his life but is left paralysed at the prospect of a future where his voice can’t be heard.
Where do young men stand in a world that seems to have no place for them?
SUNNY | SIDE preview dates:
Oct 5 - Square Chapel, Halifax
Oct 6 - York St John University
Oct 10 - Stage@Leeds
Book now!
📸 by Elly Welford
Workshops, Pro Class, Residencies!
It's a busy old week for the Rascals!
1️⃣ TODAY we have a full day of workshops with @capacollege summer school.
2️⃣ TUESDAY is our PRO CLASS at @the_middle_floor, Leeds.
3️⃣ And then it's back into rehearsals for SUNNY | SIDE at @capacollege with dance artists @soulroberts1 and @sophiesoph_t, digital designer @howl_creative, and composer @wk.music!
Feeling blessed to connect and share our love of dance with so many creative people this week!
A week of Workshops
A JOYFUL week ahead as we're delivering more workshops at @wainsgatechapel with Old Town Primary School.
Dance can do so much for all ages. Finding ways to convey your deepest thoughts and feelings through body language whilst feeling strong, empowered and concentrated. Self-expression. Creativity. Imagination. The list goes on. What a treat it is to share this gift with young people 💛
A CONVERSATION WITH NORTHERN RASCALS by Sophie Thomas for Dance Art Journal
Have a read of our interview with Dance Art Journal!
“An evening witnessing a Northern Rascals production feels like peeping through a keyhole into someone else’s world. As characters grapple with their own journeys and relationships, vulnerabilities are shared and souls are bared, resulting in work that is powerful and poetic.”
[WE ARE] SUNNY | SIDE
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY
SUNNY | SIDE SUMMER INTENSIVE
We’re back with our SUNNY SIDE Intensive and this time it’s our ONLY one happening in the North this year 😱
🪩 21-23 August
🪩 The Middle Floor, Leeds
Come join us for 3 challenging and rewarding days as we delve into the world of SUNNY | SIDE ⛅️
Together we will work closely with the script, dissecting the narrative and the thematic & aesthetic content of the work 💥
Book via the button below!
Week 1 of SUNNY SIDE ⛅️
Ah feeling so creatively full after an incredible first work of developing SUNNY SIDE 😱
We had the absolute pleasure to be joined by our professional performing cast (Ed, Soul and Sophie) and our incredible voice actors (Brendan, Jonny and Lamin) - not forgetting our composer Wilf 💥
Having the dancers and the actors in the space is a new way of working for us and it’s been a privilege to collide those worlds and see the effortless way they work together 💕
Thanks to @the_middle_floor and @dance_studio_leeds for the space!
GET INVOLVED 🤗
📍 Residency Week 1 🌥 The Middle Floor
As a part of our commitment to developing the local sector and offering opportunities for engagement for local artists, we will be opening up our studio doors 💥
The week commencing 5th June includes:
🌥 PRO CLASS at @the_middle_floor (Tue | Thurs)
🌥 Open rehearsal (Friday, 1.30-3.30pm)
Book Pro Class via the link in the bio 📍 and message us direct to attend open rehearsal (limited spaces) 🌸X
We’re Hiring 👋
We’ve got some contracts available for our new work Sunny Side ⛅️
They are character-based roles and therefore quite specific, so please only apply if it’s suitable for you 💕
Deadline to apply: 5th May
Audition by invitation only: 20th May
Funding Announcement 💥
We are so unbelievably happy to announce that we have received @aceagrams funding to finish ‘SUNNY | SIDE’ 💕
Anyone that knows us and/or our work will know how much this work has meant to us. It’s taken 4 years to get it to this place, but we’re here now and we’ve got the team, the support and the funding to bring you a beautiful and important show 🤗 🤝
With funding comes jobs, classes, intensives and development opportunities so keep your eyes peeled on our socials to find out more 👀
P.s, we’re sharing this funding news to show that there is hope to get funding out there, we’ve had a hell of a lot of no’s before this yes but we keep going! Good luck to our peers out there hoping for that positive result 🤞
Happy International Women’s Day!
This week we celebrate International Women’s Day 🌞
Here’s to being the woman that the young version of ourselves always deserved to be 💪 go find her, hold her, dance with her 🪩
Image from the third story in SHED ‘Blackcurrant Lips’, featuring @grace_.ford, @floradgrant, @bea_cz.
2022 in a nutshell 🥜
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years 🥂
Thank you so much for the support this year, for all the people who came to class, workshops and intensives, who attended parties and classes at @the_middle_floor and who supported our artistic work by coming to see SHED or engaging with the work via socials - thank you so much. You’re supporting not just us but the 20 odd freelancers who work on our projects 👏
A huge thank you to our wonderful team including @grace_.ford, @howl_creative, @floradgrant, @soulroberts1, @edwardo_m, @bea_cz, @ellywelphotography and @adam._._.g. You’re amazing and we love you all!
We’re clocking off for a few months now for a much needed rest and explore of the world 🌎 see you in the spring!
SHED TOUR ‘22
NOV 30 WED YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY, YORK
DEC 1 THURS SQUARE CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE, HALIFAX
DEC 19 MON INTERPLAY THEATRE, LEEDS
WE’RE GOING ON TOUR!
We are SO excited to bring our brand new dance theatre show, SHED to a northern stage near you!
SHED is Northern Rascals’ brand-new project that uses visual art, spoken word and performance to raise awareness of the issues young people face with their mental health.
Performed by a small cast of dancers in a pop-up structure, SHED invites its audience to stand on the outside and look in. A chance to witness real-life experiences told in a series of shorts, the audience get a glimpse of the stories that make us - a portrait of love and loss and the essential humanity that resides in us all.
SHOW DATES:
York St John - 30th November
Square Chapel – 1st December
Interplay Theatre - 19th December
Tickets can be bought via the links above!
MERCH!
Todays our first day of our SHED intensive down at @the_middle_floor. Make sure you grab the very few remaining bits of Northern Rascals merch that we have left before is snapped up for good. We’ve got hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, bucket hats.. everything a contemporary dancer needs! ✌🏼💚💛
And that’s a wrap on week 1 of SHED ✔️
Big up Q20 Theatre for the last minute space and being our home for the week 🏠 and to our families for helping ferry around a shed 😂
We were lucky enough to welcome the team back (Soul, Grace, Ed, Aaron) and welcome two new people to the studio (Flora and Rachel). Special shout out to Flora for picking up a whole show in a week 👏 she’s a boss👸
Now onto production week next week at Capa College 😱 in prep for our short tour at the end of year! Keep your eyes peeled for show dates 👀 👏
NEW INTENSIVE: SHED 🏠
Join Northern Rascals for 3 days in the studio to explore the method behind the making of SHED ✨
Rooted in original narratives and experienced in a series of performative shorts, SHED uses visual art, spoken word and performance to raise awareness of the issues young people face with their mental health.
As a participant, you will experience the method behind the creation; working with us and the collaborative team to discover techniques to devise your own autobiographical dance theatre work of societal impact 💥
The 3 days will consist of:
✨Morning Class
✨Creative workshops in movement, script and narrative development
✨Insight into Northern Rascals process
✨Q&A with the Artistic Directors on training, devising and career sustainability
✨Access to photo and Video documentation of the intensive, useful for showreels and socials
✨AND a mini 1:1 photoshoot in the photography studio & edited photos with @ellywelphotography 📸
Book your place now via the link in our bio! 🔗
NEW FUNDING ALERT 🙌
We are so happy and grateful to have received @aceagramsfunding to complete SHED. Finally we can have a finished product that you can come see!! In a theatre!!!
We know it’s a hard time to post about funding news but we’ve had many a knock back this year and it’s so nice to feel a bit of hope ✨
Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to get involved!
🎥 by @genvv
🎶 original score and words for SHED, spoken by @lamin96and @annaholmesy
💃 @bea_cz and @soulroberts1
WE’RE TURNING 5 🎈🎉
And to celebrate WE ARE HAVING A PARTY 🎊
Come down to our studio on Saturday 8th October for our biggest event yet celebrating The Middle Floor Launch X Northern Rascals' 5th Birthday Party 🎉
We've got a whole day and night of activity planned showcasing everything that our space has to offer including workshops, classes, photoshoots and an improv jam - before finishing the night with a DJ, booze and a boogie 💃
Join in the fun for a chance to get to know the space, our team and how you can be a part of our community.
TICKETS WILL GO LIVE ON FRIDAY 👏
Wow what a week!!! 🙌🏼
We have had a fantastic time at the NSCD Summer School 2022 this week, teaching, choreographing and creating ✨
Thank you so much to @northern_school @nscdlearning for having us. It has been an absolute pleasure to be here this week and work with so many talented young dancers!
Also big thanks to our Summer School assistant - @tallulah.shannon 😇🙏🏼
NEW COMMISSION 📣
📣 This Week we head over to Manchester to create a brand new work on the Lowry CAT Students for their end of year showcase.
We will be joined by collaborator Grace Ford as rehearsal director!
We can’t wait! 🤩
NEW COMMISSION 📣
📣 We are super excited that our brilliant co-artistic director Anna will be 1 of 3 lead artists for the @nscdlearning Summer School, all next week!
We can’t wait to meet some fabulous young dancers, get creative and create something magical.. while having a bunch of fun! ✨
See you next week 🤩
All photos by: @ellywelphotography 📸
SHED 🏠
Finally back in the studio creating with our favourite people 😚 we’ll be holding a sharing, open rehearsals and morning class. If you wanna join us, just let us know 😚
🔔 LOOKING UP ↑ WE HAVE A NEW HOME!
Yay we are so pleased to announce that Northern Rascals has its first physical home 🏠 👏
We’ll be collaborating on @the_middle_floor with the lovely people over at @excessive.human.collective 🤝 ✨
We all want to continue building and growing a hub for dance artists in the heart of Leeds, a place to learn, grow, chat and chill - a place for us 🌱
Keep your eyes posted for updates on classes, intensives and hires on @northernrascals and @the_middle_floor and our renovation updates over on @rascalsthatrenovate 🔨 👀
2022 is gonna be BIG 🔥stand out
BRAND NEW INTENSIVE
News 🛎️ Hello!
Booking for our next intensive is now LIVE 💥
Dates: 20th-22nd April
It’s been 6 months since our last intensive - can you believe it!
We’re so happy to bringing our new one to you, this time at our new home at The Middle Floor 😁
This intensive has a focus on wellbeing, & aims to reconnect you with your individual power within the dance sector. Three days to connect, learn and feel empowered 🤝 . All led through the body 🍂 from the inside out.
Taking place in our hometown of Leeds, our small group will work individually and together as a group to better understand ourselves, NR’s practice and to feel connected to our growing community hub in the centre of Leeds. A chance to understand you and us a little better 🤗
During this intensive, we will be joined by other practitioners who will lead complementary sessions. Leaving you with the tools to lead a sustainable, freelance career in dance.
Send us an email at northernrascals@gmail.com to book your place now. Deadline 15th April. Book quick to avoid disappointment!
📸 @ellywelphotography
🎥 @howl_creative
Call out:
Access & Inclusion Officer
We are looking for a project-based Access and Inclusion Officer to support our latest project, SHED!
Check all details below!
Deadline to Apply: Mon 11th April 2022, 5pm
Audition Notice 💥
We’re auditioning for new dance artists to work with on our upcoming projects.
Check all details below!
Deadline to apply: Friday 8th April 2022, 5pm
Funding alert 🚨
Yay!
We are so pleased to announce that we have received funding from Arts Council England to develop ‘SHED’!
Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming vacancies and more information on the work soon!
Hello from 2022!
Well it’s the start of a new year and while we try not to get wrapped up in the ‘new year, new me’, we think any opportunity for positive growth is a good one!
So what’s going on with us over at Northern Rascals… well, we are currently awaiting news from a big funding bid (fingers crossed), so that means lots of admin work in the form of writing the next bid, wrapping up previous projects, future planning and updating the website…
We’ve got some big commissions coming up this year which we are super excited about and lots more outreach happening too… keep an eye out for opportunities to engage, support and join in with us!
Watch a recap of 2021⬇
Here’s to 2022 💥
To continue to create more spaces that are led with kindness.
To continue to create work with depth, and beauty and that matters.
To being open and transparent and loving our creatives equally.
To putting safety above all.
To creating a space in our community that champions you, supports you, listens to you.
That loves the people they work with like they are family
That will always be a part of your journey that did not belittle, shame, or make you feel small but rather helped you feel and understand every inch of your power.
Thank you to all those that joined us in 2021, come see us again in 2022 💥
Loving ❤️
Soul, Bea, Fern, Rose, Grace, Maya, Aaron, Elly, Lamin, Annalise, Tab, Callum, Brannon, all of the students at @catnscd, @dance4cat and @northern_school (ba2 ❤️). The amazing support from @northern_broadsides @northern_school@kalasangam_arts_centre @squarechapel and of course @aceagrams.
Watch the trailer for No.35 ⬇
No.35 🏠
No.35 🏠 opened last night at @northern_school - Our brand new commission on the incredible BA2 students 💫
‘Night falls on all but the house at the end of the street. And tonight, is the night we reconvene. We come together; move, hold, miss – again. Grasping at frayed edges, we sit with our danger, our lovers, our broken friends. What was gone is now revived, brought back to life at No.35.’
BOOK TICKETS NOW
Our brand new work NO.35 opens tonights on the BA2 students at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
NEW DANCE BY THE NEXT GENERATION
In NEW GROUND, watch three distinct new works created for and with our undergraduate students by:
Fernanda Prata
Northern Rascals
Saju Hari
Each choreographer brings their own unique perspective. See the results of their collaborations as well as a selection of original student solos.
Tuesday 30th November 2021 - Friday 3rd December 2021
7:30pm
Can’t join us in person? Watch online Thurs 16 & Fri 17 Dec, 7.30pm
Book your tickets now on the link below
New Commission Alert 📣
We’ve begun our newest commission this week at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, creating a brand new work on the 2nd year degree students.
We’ll be working with the group for the whole of November, creating a brand-new work to be performed at The Riley Theatre in the first week of December.
Keep posted on our socials to see how we get on!
Listen to Anna’s episode on The Northern Voice ⬇
The Northern Voice
Anna had the pleasure of being invited to speak on Northern Broadsides brand new podcast ‘The Northern Voice’.
Interviewed by Millie Gaston, Anna discusses what it means to be a woman in dance, learning your self-worth and what it takes to be a freelancer in theatre today.
Catch the Episode below!
BRAND NEW INTENSIVE: SHED
News 🛎️ Hello!
Booking for our next intensive is now LIVE 💥 Three days of connection, learning and empowerment 🤝 All led through the body 🍂 from the inside out.
Taking place in our hometown of Leeds, our small group will take instruction from our most recent project SHED. Working individually and together as a group, we will explore the character and stories that make us. A chance to understand yourself and us a little better 👏
Send us an email at northernrascals@gmail.com to book your place now. Deadline 15th Oct. Book quick to avoid disappointment!
Dates: 25-27th October
📸 @ellywelphotography
🎥 @howl_creative
New Commission 📣
We’re so pleased to be making our way down to Nottingham to create a brand new work on the DANCE4 CAT students.
Together, we’re going to create a brand new work to be performed at their end of year show at Lakeside Arts.
‘Tiny Little Pockets’ is a shared comment on the importance we place on the past. On the days where the present isn’t enough, we seek memories – moments - so we can pause, hold and find our way back in.
Watch the SHED rehearsal trailer ⬇
SHED 🏚️
Welcome to our new 'thing'... a pop-up performance created underground in the middle of a heatwave. SHED holds the stories that make us - a portrait of love and loss and the essential humanity that resides in us all.
Shot by @howl_creative
Edited by @samuel_caleb
Created with @soulroberts1 + @bea_cz
Designed by @tabithagroveart
Funded by Arts Council England
Funding alert 🚨
Yay!
We are so pleased to announce that we have received funding from Arts Council England to develop a new project titled ‘SHED’…
Keep your eyes peeled for more!
New Commission 📣
We’re so excited to working on a brand new commission at Northern School of Contemporary Dance with the CAT students.
We will be working intensively with the group to create a new work to be performed at the end of year show.
Called ‘I Went Missing’, the work will be a comment on our shared experiences of feeling disconnected from a world that is rushing full steam ahead. On the days that we can’t make ourselves fit, we detach from the present - we go missing - with the hope that we can be found.
Back to the Studio at Kala Sangam 🎪
Anna had the pleasure of receiving a Back to the Studio residency at Kala Sangam, Bradford. A chance to get reacquainted with the rehearsal space with absolutely no pressure.
Anna brought Sam in, alongside digital artist Aaron Howell to explore physically some of the themes from her DYCP funding from Arts Council England.
Captured by Karol Wyszynski
Watch the REVIVING HER rehearsal trailer⬇
BRAND NEW INTENSIVE: Reviving Her
We’re so thrilled to bring you our first in-person intensive since the pandemic began in 2020.
Three days of connecting, rediscovering and empowering each other.
And its completely free!
Click the button below to learn more about the intensive and how to apply!
Reviving Her 🍃
t’s been 6 weeks since we began this project- and still we don’t really have the words for it🤷♀️
Reviving Her was/is the calm, the kind, the quiet, the cave, the vulnerable, the guarded, the smile, the tears, the frown, the hand on heart, hand on head, hand on waist, the fear, the failure, the small space, the female impersonator, the anger suppressed, the anger released, the wild, the violent, the isolated and the beautiful, beautiful coming together. Ahhhhhh 🌪
Reviving Her is us and Bea, Fern, Rose, Maya and Grace. Jenny, Megan, Lauren, Sophie and Lydia. Aaron. Elly and Brannon 🤝
📸 by @ellywelphotography
International Women’s Day 2021
Hey Ladies 👋 it's our day again...
I've started to document moments where I feel my most whole, my most powerful self. Capturing myself when I've hit and achieved specific goals (i.e in the pink shirt, I'm walking down a corridor at The Place as a Choreodrome Artist, I got rejected from the BA there when I was 18, an age when my self-doubt really began to unravel).
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my own personal story of female growth. One that for the past year, I haven't been able to get out of my head. For the past ten years, I've witnessed the slow yet sudden fading of my sense of self. That confident, resilient 10 year old girl has been crushed and fit into shapes that please other people's agendas. I've been made smaller, I've been made thinner, I've been made sexier, more silent, more self-conscious. I've made sorry my mantra. About 2 years ago - at my most lost, struggling through the fog of another contraceptive pill - I hit a turning point. And slowly, I've been rummaging through the rubble, picking up the pieces and dusting myself off. My whole self is being fitted back together. I'm no longer afraid. I'm no longer apologising. I'm taking my space and revealing my power 🔥 happy #internationalwomensday2021
New Collaboration 🤝
R O O M 📣
Our co-artistic director Anna (@winniepastwa) had the absolute pleasure of working on this beautiful film made by @companynil in collaboration with @companyk__.
We’ve known Dan and Kay for a number of years now and it’s been a dream to be brought onto a joint collaboration of theirs to write the spoken word for the work.
This film is beautiful. To create such beautiful art in such a pressing time is not only important, but shows real strength. This film is a testament to themselves and their relationship 💫
The launch is tomorrow! Grab a free ticket from the link in @companynil Instagram bio 📍
Funding Alert!
We’ve been saving these images for this...
About 2 months ago we posted a video celebrating female artists we’ve worked with, and then we said it was time to make an all female work 🔥
Well.... we got the funding BABY! 🥂
Introducing ‘Reviving Her’ - our brand new research explored via raw and honest conversations with the targeted demographic on remembering and reengaging the females lost sense of self 🌟
We’ve got 4 freelance contracts up for grabs, and various other supporting roles. Female-identifying people that are interested in working with us - get in touch!!!
This is for us 💪💃🤝❤️🌟
📸 @ellywelphotography
New chances to watch!
Missed our lockdown film Sunny Side: Through the Lens the first time round? 💐
Well, we are delighted to be sharing it for Dewsbury “not-the-fringe” Festival run by @manasamitrauk 📣 💫
Tune into their YouTube challenge tomorrow morning at 10am to enjoy it! ⏰ Info on their website: www.manasamitra.com
Goodbye 2020 👋
Usually at the end of the year we do an annual review of our career highs and successes and the exciting things to come in the year ahead 🎉 but it feels a bit off to do it this year when it’s been so difficult for so many people.
It’s the year that changed everything, and if you’re reading this, we’ve all got through it...Just. The losses have been colossal but we so hope that during this time you’ve found happiness and gratitude, that you appreciate each new day, that you hold your loved ones closer and harder than ever before. It’s all that matters. Thank you for helping us get through it ❤️
Funding alert 🚨
Yay 🌟 Good News
We’re ecstatic that one half of us has been awarded funding from the Arts Council as a part of their Develop Your Creative Practice Fund 💪
I (Anna) have received a grant to develop the integration of writing into my choreographic practice - yay! If you know me, you’ll know literature was my first love (is it my main love?! I dunno...) so I’m so over the 🌙 to be able to be paid to develop myself and my skills.
To check out writing based developments head over to @winniepastwa - my insta account for all things poetry... it’s been a bit defunct for the past 4 months but this is the perfect opportunity to get it going again. Also it’s named after my English Great Grandma and my Polish Grandma 👵 how poetic..
Funded by @aceagrams
Watch THE AFTERMATH SHORT FILM ⬇
Get to know
THE AFTERMATH
We are so pleased to bring you this brand-new 20 minute dance theatre piece devised by the young people of Calderdale.
Click for more information on the live performance and short film.
The Reviews are in!
The Aftermath Short Film premieres on FB & YouTube tomorrow and the reviews are coming in 🤩
Check out this one by The Yorkshire Times!
THE AFTERMATH - A Short Film, Coming Soon
It’s happening... 🤪
We’ve been working away BTS and now we are so close to sharing THE AFTERMATH with you... 🌪
We’ll be releasing online our short film by Howl Creative next week 🙌
Tune in on Wednesday at 7pm via the link 👉 bit.ly/2RsJ0DN
Created in collaboration with @northern_broadsides and @thepiecehall
Film by @howl_creative
Dancer @alexgosmore
Voice artist @lamin96
Words @annaholmesy
The Aftermath 🌪🍂
It’s difficult to round it up on this post because it still all feels really overwhelmingly present. One thing for certain is that this project, this experience, these people are special. We came together as strangers and have connected through a beautiful experience in bizarre circumstances. Pretty emotional to finish it to be honest... 🤝
Amongst the highs, there were low points too. Times when people were low, or tired, or having a bad day. And the group picked them up, or lightened their load, or just understood. Social interaction is so so important. So grateful for the opportunity to work with this group on this project in these weird ass times 👏
📸 by @ellisjrobinson
Keeping you safe
If you’re coming to the show, it’s important to keep safe 🤗 so we’ve put COVID-19 Measures in place👇
✔️ Checks on arrival
✔️ Track & Trace
✔️ Hand sanitiser
✔️ Limited audience
✔️ Distanced seating
✔️ Separate households
✔️ Staff enforcing measures
More info on @northern_broadsides website / @thepiecehall website 🌐
The trailer for THE AFTERMATH is here ⬇
BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS NOW!
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK NOW! 👇
Come see THE AFTERMATH 🌪 our brand-new outdoor show commissioned by Northern Broadsides and The Piece Hall.
A 20 minute dance theatre piece devised by the young people of Calderdale, exploring their feelings of isolation, anger and hope about a world hurtling towards a future they will inherit but is out of their control.
Book your FREE TICKETS for performances at The Piece Hall on 26 & 27 September! 👉 bit.ly/2RsJ0DN
📸 by @ellisjrobinson
CHOREODROME ARTIST 2020
We are absolutely chuffed to announce that we have been selected as one of the Choreodrome Artists supported by The Place for 2020.
The Place’s unique positioning within the dance industry allows them to offer artists at every stage of their career the chance to experiment and stimulate innovation. Through Choreodrome, selected artists are commissioned to explore new creative ideas without the pressure of creating a finished product during the residency.
For our Residency, we will be further exploring Sunny Side with Soul, Tom and new collaborator Bea!
THE AFTERMATH
We’re bringing you the FREE opportunity to be a part of our brand-new creation The Aftermath.
In collaboration with Northern Broadsides and The Piece Hall, young people across Calderdale will have the chance to create a brand-new outdoor work. Across the month of September, you can join our CORE team or our ENSEMBLE team, who will work directly with us and our creative collaborators in the studio.
The project will result in a weekend of outdoor performances at The Piece Hall and the creation of a film version of the work.
Find out more information on the project and how to get involved, check the official page!
Watch SUNNY | SIDE : THROUGH THE LENS ⬇
Get to know SUNNY | SIDE : THROUGH THE LENS
We are so pleased to bring you this brand-new short dance film devised by Northern Rascals and 40 young people from across the UK.
Witness how we feel about the pandemic.
RASCAL LIVE - Our new weekly class
Heavily improvisation lead, our signature class is an opportunity to connect with the human within the dancer. To be vulnerable. To be messy. To step outside of the exterior pressures and into yourself. Start your week off with the right intention. Give yourself time to pause, you deserve it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Starting this Mon 15th June 💪
Suitable for dancers in training to professionals ⋆
Classes are £3 ⋆
Email to book and receive PayPal and Zoom link
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See you in the Zoom room 📣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Creativity, Contemporary and Camera Angles: Inside Northern Rascals’ Virtual Intensive
Check out Mia Lyndon (@auditionquest) blog on our recent virtual intensive.
By the end of the intensive, comfort zones had been demolished, restraints had been leapt over and young minds had been challenged- with hours of original footage to prove it. In just three days, young dancers, located all across the country, had been brought together, accepted and encouraged- fuelling them with energy for the long weeks of lock-down ahead.
Creativity is the blossoming force knitting the dance industry together right now, with young peoples’ ideas more relevant and valued than ever. Creating such an accessible, welcoming programme of creative inspiration, Northern Rascals’ Sunny Side Virtual Intensive ticked all the boxes. What a wonderfully inspiring and beautiful few days it was...
Morning ☕️ 💤
‘For me, the lockdown has been conflicting, a constant imbalance of freedom and frustration. Each day differentiates, at moments I’m running, taking the wild and the unpredictable in my stride; then with the smallest bad placement, the most minor of wrong footing, I stumble and find myself freefalling into the abyss of the unknown. Each day, I tiptoe the present, walking away from a past that I cannot and will not put to bed, towards a future where my dreams seem difficult to see.’ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀
Check out the blog written by Anna a few weeks ago on her thoughts on lockdown for @balbirsinghdanceco 🔍
We finished the Sunny Side Virtual Intensive…
We’ve just finished our 3 day virtual intensive working with 40 young people across the UK. Right now we are exhausted. To be connected and creative and responsible for others after so many weeks of self-caring has been a bit of a shock to the system.
It’s fair to say we’re feeling a lot of different emotions. Relief that it worked. Grateful for online platforms like Zoom. Frustrated at internet connections. Grief for the absence of touch. Anger that they’re missing out on so many important moments. More anger that their voices aren’t heard. Determination to change that. But most of all, just so much love and warmth and comfort that new bonds can be formed, existing bonds can be strengthened. Empathy and compassion and connection survives. We’re experiencing a collective personal suffering.
In #mentalhealthawarenessweek and beyond, we’re all still here. Support. Connect. Create. Lessen the strain. Together. 🤝
Oh and we made the news! 📣
SUNNY SIDE VIRTUAL INTENSIVE
We’re bringing you the FREE opportunity to be a part of our brand-new creation Sunny Side: Through the Lens.
You will have the chance to take part in a 3 day virtual intensive that will result in the creation of a new dance film that highlights the effects that COVID-19 and isolation has had on young people.
We want to hear your stories and experiences, and authentically represent your voice.
For more info check the official call-out below and click for booking details!
New Commission!
We are super excited to have secured one of the Digital Squad commissions with @northern_broadsides. Thanks to this, we can devise a new strand to our project Sunny Side.
Directly informed by young people across Yorkshire, Sunny Side: Through the Lens is a brand-new virtual project that will authentically reflect the experiences of young people in lockdown.
Through our first ever virtual intensive, we will connect with young people to create a work that allows their voice to be heard and remembered in these unprecedented times.
Coronavirus Update!
It may have seemed a bit silent over on this page recently 😶 probably because we’ve struggled to figure out what the hell we are feeling. I suppose it’s mostly being really overwhelmed. With the situation, with the advice, with the over saturation on the internet, with not being able to have or make a plan.
Right now we’re not feeling grounded enough to have a creative flow, but we know it will come back. So for now, please support us in the only way you can, like the hell out of our page and we’ll get working on our Rascal routine to bring you some joy in this weird ass time
Come watch!
We’re performing an excerpt of SUNNY | SIDE at COLLIDE a free one-day dance event specifically for boys in Leeds.
Date: 14th March
Times: 1-3pm
Where: Leeds City Centre
Follow our socials for more info!
Check out the footage of our class at Dance Connect!
Pro Class with Dance Connect
We’re leading a session at Dance COnnect on
7th Jan 18:30-20:30
SUNNY | SIDE - Trailer Released
Twenty 20
Twenty 19 - What happened?
‘Sparkies’ go on Tour!
York St John University Dance Students are starting their tour of ‘Sparkies’; a short work we had the pleasure of choreographing earlier this year.
Unknown Mag Review!
We received a fantastic write up of our premiere of ‘The Mesmerist’ by Unknown Magazine.
“In a surreal world, we recognise human feelings of mischievous and moving friendship, and a dazzling beauty that has the power to strike wonder into us all.”
Read the full review here: http://unknownmag.co.uk/theatre/review-slap-festival-the-mesmerist/
Photo Credit: Elly Welford
THe Mesmerist Premieres!
We premiered ‘The Mesmerist’ on the 23rd February at York Theatre Royal and we’re so happy to share that our audiences loved it!
Bertie Tucker Hough @BertieTHough “the fantastic and creative @NorthernRascals new show ‘The Mesmerist’ was like being in a fantasy dreamworld, it was so heartwarming”.
BalbirSinghDanceCo @balbirdance “Well done to @NorthernRascals for their new work The Mesmerists, endearing, quirky and humorous @YorkTheatre @SLAPyork”.
Photo Credit: Steven Daniels
The Mesmerist begins…
January saw the beginning of our newest production ‘The Mesmerist’. Joined by the fabulous Katy Hewison (pictured) and NSCD student Elly Welford, we delved into creating the magical world that encompasses the work.
Rehearsals saw us in various parts of Yorkshire: from old mills in Halifax to city centre in Leeds and the more suburban life in York!
We were joined by mentor Geoff Colman and our composer Jonathon Deering; both of them travelled across the country from the South to be immersed into the weird yet wonderful world of Northern Rascals.
February begins back in York Dance Space in preparation for our premiere on 23rd February at York Theatre Royal…
SPARKIES
The second week of January brought us to the beautiful York St John University, where we were commissioned to create a new 20-minute work on the 3rd year Dance cohort.
In just 5 days, we created ‘Sparkies’; living in the world of The Mesmerist, the humorous work looks at the daily tribulations of the workmen of the mythical world. Tasked with cleaning and maintaining the precious lamps, the audience witness what occurs when disaster happens: the lamp breaks…
Twenty 19
TWENTY 18 - What happened?
Dearest Daisy
We were awarded Arts Council England funding for Dearest Daisy.
Along with 11 artists, we created a full-length show and performed to sold-out audiences in Bramley Baths.
Northern Rascals Classes
We now have 5 weekly regular classes running.
4 at Bramley Baths
1 at Mixenden Activity Centre
25 Workshops Delivered
We taught 25 workshops across the country to around 750 participants.
AUDITION NOTICE
CLICK TO APPLY
Northern Rascals are seeking performers for upcoming projects in 2019, we have professional and apprentice contracts available. Please click link for details on how to apply!
REVIEW
We are thrilled to have been mentioned by the Dancing Times - Britain's Leading Dance Monthly in David Mead's fantastic review of Birmingham Dance Network 'Introducing...'
"Their Introducing…, at Vivid Projects, an atmospheric converted warehouse space deep in the old industrial heartland of Digbeth, proved the most interesting evening of the three weeks. Three works stood out. Northern Rascals, a duo consisting of Sam Ford andAnna Holmes, presented 2 Peas, which follows the complex relationship between sisters. Holmes and Stéphanie Bentley made great use of a wide range of clothing and footwear as they laughed, fought and made up in a very truthful look at life."
Dearest Daisy
Come along and support our acclaimed cast of seven dancers and a trio of opera singers who will be making a SPLASH with our special water-based performance!
Interpreted through a mixture of poetry, contemporary dance and live music, ‘Dearest Daisy’ is a rare opportunity for the community of Bramley and beyond to experience the transformation of this space as it is brought to life through the beauty of this unique and acclaimed show.
When: Saturday 11th August - 4pm & 7pm
Where: Bramley Baths
Tickets: Standard: £7.50 Concession: £5
For full details of ticket pricing, please book via email at northernrascals@gmail.com. Or visit Bramley Baths in person or book by phone on 0113 256 0949!
We won!
On Friday 27th April, we performed alongside a host of other artists at SLAPmoves.
The evening was an opportunity to showcase new works and to win a selection of prizes; we are absolutely delighted to announce that Northern Rascals won the Judges Award which included prizes of £500, 4 weeks rehearsal space and performance opportunities!
We are so grateful to all involved, it was an honour to perform at the wonderful venue of York Theatre Royal infront of such a warm and welcoming audience. Thank you.
Come Watch!
We'd love it if you came to support us at SLAPMOVES!
SLAPmoves is all about emerging performance from the next generation of pioneering talent. We have been invited along five other graduates of theatre and dance to present new work that uses movement. Each company will be competing to win a prize package that includes cash, rehearsal space and performance opportunities. The winner will be chosen by you, the audience and a panel of industry professional judges. So please come down and support us Northern Rascals!
Book tickets below:
https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/event/slap_moves.php#.WtePy4jwZPa
Come Watch!
We are super excited to have been asked to perform both outdoor and indoor versions of 'Like Rumours of Hushed Thunder' at Emerge Festival in Cannock Chase on Saturday 21st April. Curated by Hawk Dance Theatre, the young people of Cannock Chase will be presenting a day of performances, workshops and activities to celebrate the life and works of Shakespeare!
Come and join us in on 21st April at Cannock Library and Museum of Cannock Chase for a day of theatre, dance, poetry, music, arts & crafts and FUN!
Did we mention that it's all for FREE?
http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Emerge2018
Come watch!
We are thrilled to have been selected to perform as a part of COLLIDE in Leeds City Centre on Friday 6th April. Between 11-3pm, we will be taking over the streets of Leeds, dancing alongside many other great companies such as Company Chameleon and Hawk Dance Theatre.
The event supported by Leeds Inspired is particularly important as it is celebrating boys in dance. Therefore we have reworked an excerpt of 'Like Rumours of Hushed Thunder' with two fantastic male dancers.
More details are to come soon but if you're at Trinity Leeds, Victoria Leeds or Kirkgate Market, I'm sure you'll see a rascallion or two there...
Follow us on Facebook for more regular updates!
Like Rumours of Hushed Thunder
Mon 12 March, 7:30 pm, £6
Come see our new work at this event at Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, London!
Dynamic and talented theatre makers perform new work in front of an audience, often for the very first time. Engine Room puts you at the heart of the creative process – these artists want to hear what you think. Be part of the conversation.
Click Image for more details!
SQ Scratch:
Like Rumours of Hushed Thunder
Wed 14 Mar, 7:30pm at Copper Auditorium
Tickets: £3
Our Scratch Night is a chance for you to experience snippets of new work from some of the most promising performance-makers in the region. A safe place for artists of all disciplines to informally showcase their ideas in front of a live audience; it’s about being bold, pushing boundaries and finding different and innovative ways to make exciting new performance.
Click image for more details.