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Audience Location
In the Park
Date and Time
June 20, 2015 at TBC
Water Locale
Preston Park
Choreographers
Rosaria M. Gracia, (PhD) has been dancing, teaching and choreographing static and parade pieces in the UK since 1999. She has extensively performed in the UK and in International Festivals in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Cuba. She has had extensive training throughout the years in Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Flamenco and generic Hindu dance and Bollywood.
Rosaria started her immersion into Bollywood while performing with Emergency Exit Arts in their show Runga Rung (2005 – 2007). She then undertook training with Himany Dixit in Udaipur (India) and continued her research and practice. Since 2010, she has been currently teaching Bollywood and Bhangra as part of the Dance Course at City College (UAL Diploma), in schools, events and Indian weddings. She also choreographed a piece for the project Yamuna Yemanja performed at the famous Notting Hill Carnival (2014) fusing Indian and Brazilian dance traditions.
She is currently the lead choreographer for Maracatu Cruzeiro do Sul, an Associate Lecturer at the Open University, Northbrook College and City College Brighton and Hove, and has taught at festivals and events such as WOMAD (Spain and UK), Sambeando (Spain) and Big Dance 2010 (South East Dance).
Rosaria is a certified Gyrotonics Instructor, Zumba Instructor and Bokwa Instructor. She has also been recognised in the Medical Practitioners Directory of Dance UK http://www.danceuk.org/medical-practitioners-directory/md/profile/1633/
Some of her other credits include: Choreographer of the Guinness World Record of the World’s Largest Samba Band at the Royal Albert Hall (2014), nomination for the Coach/Instructor of the Year Award 2014 (Sports and Activity BHCC), Queen of Bateria of the London School of Samba (2001); choreographer of the Comissao de Frente of Paraiso School of Samba (2005 – 08), for the London School of Samba (since 2013) and for the Brighton School of Samba (since 2014); choreographer of the finale site and performer of Burning of the Clocks (Same Sky) (since 2008) choreographer and movement adviser of the Children’s Parade (Same Sky) (since 2010) and choreographer of the Kemptown Carnival parade (since 2011) to name but a few.
History of Site and Related Water Issues
The park was developed to the current look by the end of the 19th C. The park remains green throughout the summer because of a non-drinkable underground water source, known as the Wellesbourne, which runs below Preston Park, London Road and The Level. The source dates back many centuries and is often referred to as Brighton’s lost river. In 2000, after torrential rain, it rose and caused considerable damage.
This anecdotal evidence is an example of the usages of water around the world. It shows the versatility of water, how it has been used by people to show status (and inequalities) but also our vulnerability when it wants to gain ground.
The site was selected for its relevance in local celebratory events (e.g. Take Part Festival of Dance and Sport, Pride, etc. ) and for its historical relevance.
Music
Maracatu Cruzeiro do Sul percussive music
The Performance
It was an absolute pleasure to represent Brighton, UK in this worldwide movement. The performance was showcased at the Take Part Festival which is an annual celebration of dance and sport organised by the Sport and Activity Department at Brighton and Hove City Council. The site was also an inspiration as we learned that the park was developed to the current look by the end of the 19th C. The park remains green throughout the summer because of a non-drinkable underground water source, known as the Wellesbourne, which runs below Preston Park, London Road and The Level. The source dates back many centuries and is often referred to as Brighton’s lost river. In 2000, after torrential rain, it rose and caused considerable damage.
The performance aims to be a link between genres and styles under one message, showing how we are all linked by this powerful element, water.
Starting with the imagery of Iemanja, the goddess of the sea, as Brighton has been known in history by the curative power of its waters, the group used the Brazilian dance genre, Maracatu with its collective and fluid feeling, leading into a piece of collective movement with a contemporary flair. We had the pleasure to collaborate with the Dance Department at City College Brighton and Hove and work with both International and Contemporary dance.
The performance felt emotional and despite the weather, a great percentage of members of the audience joined in, peope of all ages and abilities, representing the phrase either moving or sitting down.
We would welcome the possibility of participating in this event again and make something bigger and better.
Directions to the Site of Performance
Click here for directions from Brighton Station
Email for more information
How can I get involved?
Please send us an email or text us on 07854 542856 if you would like to support the performance.
If you wish to sponsor the event, please also get in touch. Any support would be greatly appreciated.