Local favourites Urban Dance Project have gone from strength to strength since being established in 2012 by the passionate and talented Michelle Ramsey, and this year is set to be no different.
Last year was an action packed one for UDP, seeing them qualifying for the World Street Dance Championship, receive funding from LeftCoast to create ‘The Wastemakers’ which was performed at Breakin’ Convention, host a myriad of international artists for their Project Dance Camp summer scheme and create a super secret array of flashmobs throughout Blackpool.
Fresh from what must have been a bumper year for the group, UDP are ready to hit the streets with their brand new moves for 2015. From February they’ll be running classes at three new locations (Bispham, Central Blackpool and South Shore) plus adding theatre and drama classes to their already packed line up of urban dance. Keeping it in the family, Michelle is also joined by her sister Mel Ramsey this year, building the dedicated team of fully qualified dance instructors which is set to offer monthly masterclasses with top UK choreographers – soon to be announced.
There’s a distinctly international flavour to this year’s programme at UDP. After securing funding through the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission, the group are thrilled to be taking part in their first international youth exchange as the official UK partner with organisations from Ireland and Finland. Michelle and Buzz Bury are on the hunt for five young people aged 15 to 18 who will get the chance to attend this unique opportunity.
The project aims to get the young people involved to explore ‘identity’ and ‘self’ through cultural collaborations in dance and movement. Young people attending will work across international boundaries to share the influences that shape them, work towards cultural expression through dance and learn how to use dance and movement as a tool for communication.
As if that wasn’t enough to fit into one year, Michelle has also recently secured personal development funding through the LeftCoast Express scheme to research Youth Hip Hop Theatre Companies from across the UK. Speaking about the research Michelle said:
“I am very excited about the trips I have already been on and lots more still to come. It’s great to be bringing all I learn and these new inspirations back to Blackpool to pass onto the young people.”
So if you’re ready to be put through your paces there’s no better place, whether it’s right here in Blackpool or overseas as part of their exciting new international youth exchange – you don’t want to miss this party.
Visit www.urbandanceproject.co.uk for more information or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/udpunite
Featured image by C J Griffiths Photography
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