Bones, Bodies & Beats
Exploring the body and nurturing the mind across a two year collaborative journey, Bones, Bodies & Beats is a collaborative initiative bringing together Balbir Singh Dance Company, Allerton Church of England Primary School, and the Thackray Museum of Medicine. The project has been a comprehensive two- year creative learning endeavour crafted to immerse children in the realms of health, nutrition, mental well-being, and their impact on the world around them through artistic exploration.
2023 to 2024
Bones, Bodies & Beats:
Open to interpretation
Bones, Bodies & Beats has been a creative exploration of what it means to be human from different perspectives. Whether it be about celebrating identity and expression through different styles of movement, or learning about activism and how to become a force for good.
The project has continually evolved, providing a dynamic and ever-changing frame of work; ultimately fostering a holistic understanding of the human experience and equipping the children of Allerton CE with the tools to contribute positively to their communities and affect meaningful change.
The project has continually evolved, providing a dynamic and ever-changing frame of work; ultimately fostering a holistic understanding of the human experience and equipping the children of Allerton CE with the tools to contribute positively to their communities and affect meaningful change.
Fruitful Collaborations
Moving and grooving at Allerton CE
During the second year of the project, BSDC brought onboard a number of artists to lead various workshops at Allerton CE. These were fun and engaging ways to get the children involved and allow themselves to find new methods of expressing themselves.
The Artists
Tricia Arthur-Stubbs, Lead Artist
Tricia Arthur-Stubbs is an experienced dance practitioner who lead the workshops for Bones, Bodies & Beats at Allerton CE Primary. For her, this project was an enriching experience, teaching pupils to use movement for both learning and artistic expression.
Tricia Arthur-Stubbs is an experienced dance practitioner who lead the workshops for Bones, Bodies & Beats at Allerton CE Primary. For her, this project was an enriching experience, teaching pupils to use movement for both learning and artistic expression.
Bobak Champion, a versatile dance artist, blends hip-hop, breakdance and contemporary styles. His down to earth and charismatic nature forms instant connections with people of all ages. His work on the project aimed to challenge stereotypes and broaden engagement with the arts.
Devika Rao, Dancer
Devika Rao, a renowned Indian classical dance performer and founder of Devika Dance Theatre promotes Indian art-forms globally. With expertise in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Yakshagana, she engages in cross-sector projects, including creative health initiatives, education and community enrichment efforts.
Devika Rao, a renowned Indian classical dance performer and founder of Devika Dance Theatre promotes Indian art-forms globally. With expertise in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Yakshagana, she engages in cross-sector projects, including creative health initiatives, education and community enrichment efforts.
Kali Chandrasegaram, Dancer
Kali, a versatile dancer and choreographer, explores various genres from classical to contemporary, viewing dance as a soulful journey for personal and communal enlightenment. Hailing from Malaysia, Kali is a prominent figure in the UK's Contemporary South Asian dance landscape.
Jamie Harry Scrutton, Visual Artist
Jamie is a Yorkshire based artist specialising in spoken word with animation. His work is inspired by observational life with a speck of humour, which he adapts into whimsical animations. He created an original hand-drawn animation for Bones, Bodies & Beats, drawing inspiration from the pupils' artwork on climate crisis.
Jamie is a Yorkshire based artist specialising in spoken word with animation. His work is inspired by observational life with a speck of humour, which he adapts into whimsical animations. He created an original hand-drawn animation for Bones, Bodies & Beats, drawing inspiration from the pupils' artwork on climate crisis.
As part of his creative approach, Jamie created an animation based upon the work that the pupils produced during his workshops.
Bodies in motion, minds in action
Activism posters Balbir Singh Dance Company designed, using the words and images created by the children of Allerton CE, exploring the ways in which children can use their words for good.
The Celebration Event
As part of the culmination of the project, a celebration event was held at Allerton CE Primary School, where the children were able to showcase the dances that they had been working on in the workshops.
Bobak Champion
Devika Rao
Kali Chandrasegaram
Tricia Arthur-Stubbs
Jamie Harry Scrutton
Balbir Singh
Elia Tomé
Malcolm Johnson
Minh Nguyen
Morgan Girvin
Paul Floyd-Blake
Sophie Housam