IRIE! Dance theatre is a renowned dance school located in London that specialises in African and Caribbean dance fusion. Established in 1985 by Beverley Glean, the school aims to elevate the profile of Black dance in Britain and create a repertoire of works that reflect the influence of African and Caribbean cultures on the Black British cultural experience.
At IRIE! Dance theatre, they offer a diverse range of programmes and classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Their flagship programme is the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles, which is the first-ever BA course to provide equal emphasis on African, Caribbean, Contemporary, and Urban dance techniques. This unique programme is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London and offers outstanding training and education for aspiring dancers.
In addition to their degree programme, IRIE! Dance theatre has an extensive education programme for children and young people. They provide workshops and classes in African and Caribbean dance and drumming for children as young as 5 years old, as well as for adults. The school also offers weekly African and Caribbean dance classes as part of their Dance Yourself Fit programme, promoting health and wellbeing through dance.
IRIE! Dance theatre is committed to supporting the professional development of African and Caribbean dance professionals. They offer a range of training programmes to assist dancers in their continued growth and advancement in the field.
The vision of IRIE! Dance theatre is to fully integrate Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD) into the teaching and practise of the wider dance agenda. They aim to make this dance form important to individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
For those interested in getting involved with IRIE! Dance theatre, there are opportunities to join their community board or volunteer with their community engagement work. The school is also open for classes and workshops, providing a comprehensive education programme for dance enthusiasts of all ages.
The address of IRIE! Dance theatre is Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Angus Street, New Cross, London, SE14 6LU. They are open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Tuesday to Friday, and from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays. They are closed on Mondays and Sundays.
To support the work of IRIE! Dance theatre, individuals have the option to make a one-off or regular donation via Charity Checkout.
Overall, IRIE! Dance theatre is a leading dance school in London that is dedicated to promoting and celebrating African and Caribbean dance fusion. With their diverse range of programmes and classes, they provide excellent training and education for dancers of all ages and backgrounds.