DAZL Youth Dance Company – #PRIDE Using iconic LGBT anthems this piece explores false social perceptions of the LGBT community based on their gender and sexuality. Through the lens of LGBT young people, the work follows a journey of self-discovery by overcoming prejudice and discrimination to finding self-worth, empowerment and acceptance. . The youth company are all from Leeds, aged from 14-19yrs and are made up of gay, bi and straight young people. They have done lots of research chatting to other LGBT young people, attending pride event, endless hours of documentaries/ discussion based workshops and the young peoples own experiences. The group have been working with DAZL Dance Development officer Vicky Mawson and NSCD Graduated/ VERVE Dancer Mason Jubb. This work focuses on all LGBT youths but with an extra focus on transgender young people. This project is a starting point lead by DAZL Director Ian Rodley for DAZL as an organisation to create a 3 year strategic program which is specifically aimed at LGBT young people across Leeds using dance/ the arts which we are currently awaiting the outcome of funding. The group is looking to perform this work in many showcase events and we welcome any organisation which is running a LGBT event to contact us to perform. We may use a LGBT Pride flag or ten, you have been warned! For more information and Support If your aged 13-18 and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* or questioning your sexuality in Leeds and needs support Out 2 18 or Transtastic could be for you. http://leedssexualhealth.com/wheretogo/support-groups/out-2-25-and-transtastic You could also check out he Leeds GI Youth Group http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/event/leeds-gi-youth-group For more information you can follow us on the social media below Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL in the Community at Christmas 2016
DAZL Events October – December 2016 Update DAZL Community Events 0ct – Dec 2016 DAZL has hosted the annual DAZL Halloween Party & Christmas Jumper Party 2016 Dance Studio Leeds Showcase Sharp Lane Community Group Bonfire Night event 2016 Pudsey Christmas Lights Switch-On 2016 Cottingley Christmas Fair DAZL performed at Child Friendly Leeds – Social Work Conference 2016 Inner East Leeds Youth Summit BITMO Christmas Market Performance 2016 40 Afterschool Dance Performances DAZL 2017 Activities New community dance groups in West Leeds New DAZL All Male Youth Dance Company Weekly community classes across Leeds DAZL Citywide Showcase Event Find all the information about our new community sessions on our classes page all DAZL Community classes start back from 3th January 2017 Happy Christmas and have a wonderful New Year! For more information you can follow us on the social media below Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
Something to shout about!
Over the past few months DAZL have had so many success stories including competing at our first Unify Dance UK, packed summer and weekly community dance programs across the city. Record number of DAZL young people studying dance at HE and FE level. Set up a new scheme for FREE provision for looked after children and young people throughout all DAZL activities. Summer Programs During summer our community program carried on throughout July and August. It was amazing to see 49 community dance sessions filled to the rafters with children and young people. As well as our regular provision we had our Summer Active 4 Life Creative Camp  where we had nearly 70 young people come throughout the week. We also had our summer intensive week with the DAZL Comp Teams from South & East Leeds. Summer Dance Film Project To then end our already amazing summer program we did a dance & film project in partnership with Wayne Sables Project (WSP) #4Film4Days1Project involving 4 community groups across DAZL 2 based in Outer South which was DAZL Reload and DAZL Revolution and 2 in Inner South, DAZL Xplode @ Cottingley and DAZL Seniors the work was supported by the local Leeds City Council Ward Councillors and Community Committees. All in all a very successful and packed with fun summer program.  You can view the work on our YouTube Channel and Vimeo Channel DAZL Hip-Hop Crews dazzle at Unify Dace UK Championships On Sunday 2nd October DAZL Diamonds, DAZL Boys and DAZL Inspire competed at their first Unify Dance UK North West Street and Hip Hop Competition in Manchester. As well as all 217 children and families thoroughly enjoying the day we left the competition with every team placing in the top 4 and majority of them were 1st and 2nd places. Amazing team effort by all the performers, parents and members of staff on the day. GO DAZL!! Young people further there development and careers in dance! At DAZL we are constantly guiding and giving young people the confidence to go onto further and higher education and this year was no different. We had 12 young people choose to study dance at college including attending Leeds City College and Wakefield College. We also had students secure University places including University of East London. Another 3 of past DAZL students doing PGCE’s in dance. As well as FE and HE we also have 3 DAZL students who auditioned and are now on the Northern School of Contemporary Dance CAT Scheme. Progression is fundamental to the DAZL model, empowering the dancers to take there learning further. We are delighted to have 2 NSCD Graduates delivering on the DAZL program and value all the partnership we have made across Leeds and beyond. We are committed to supporting children! DAZL has a commitment to looked after children/ carers/ foster families also young people with additional need to support them to engage with the arts. DAZL does this as we want to be as inclusive as possible and reduce the barriers to the arts/ …
DAZL Seniors – Park Life
DAZL film using the DAZL Seniors (12-17yrs) filmed in Middleton Park Choreographers Vicky Mawson, Stephanie Dobson and Mason Jubb and Filmed by Wayne Sables. The project funded by Leeds City Council – Community Community (Inner South) Youth Activity Fund. Brief – To create a dance film with no editing…
“Stepping Out” Cottingley – Dance Film
Dance Action Zone Leeds working with Wayne Sables on a project funded by Leeds City Council – Inner South Leeds Community Committee. Cottingley DAZL dance group (5- 11 years) creating a positive breakdance from children and young people locally. For more information you can follow us on the social media here – Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL Supports the Leeds 10k
DAZL Supports the Leeds 10k On Sunday 10th July 2016 DAZL staff including our Director Ian Rodley joined in the fun of this years Leeds 10k, supporting the Jane Thomlison Appeal. DAZL Supported the Jane Thomlisons cheer station, cheering on the running of which many parents DAZL parents ran. This was a an extra special Leeds 10k as this was the 10 year anniversary of the event. We loved been involved and will be cheering you all on next year – thank you all. For more information you can follow us on the social media here – Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL at Seacroft Gala 2016
DAZL at Seacroft Gala 2016 DAZL group from local area had the pleasure of showing its work at the Seacroft Community Gala 2016, the event took place on Saturday 7th July 2016 at Seacroft Green. The young people entertained the community whilst promoting the NEW DAZL Community sessions support by the Local Inner East Community Committee. The sessions are based at Kentmear community Centre on Tuesdays 5-6pm and also Denis Healey Community Centre – please click flyer here DAZL East Leeds Community Dance NEW 16 the sessions are for young people 7-11 years, Boys and Girls welcome. DAZL would like to thank the Seacroft Gala for an absolutly fantastic Day, the feedback from the young people was that they loved been involved in the Leeds Cultural Strategy getting the community involved in the bid for European Capital of Culture Bid 2023 questions as they got some fantastic key-rings with a picture of the whole group. The loved the tea and tolerance tent with the drawing of the stories. A great day for the whole family. For more information you can follow us on the social media below. Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL Group Performs at Eid Celebrations
DAZL Young People from Burmantofts & Gipton took part in an Eid Celebration event entertaining the community with DANCE opened by Councillor Asgar Khan – This special celebration of Eid provided an opportunity for people from ALL faiths and communities to come and celebrate together. Friday 8 July at 4:00pm to 9:00pm, Ramgharia Sports Centre, 8 – 10 Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 3AP The event was designed to reflect the approach to life adopted by the late Jo Cox and is a chance, at the end of Ramadam, for everyone to come together to show and share what we have in common. Eid is a special religious festival for those of the Muslim faith and the event takes a traditional focus on activities for children and sharing food together as a community. This was a FREE community celebration of the ‘festival of breaking of the fast’ a truly memorable event. Please click here for flyer on who support he event Eid community event 2016-1 – Its was and absolute pleasure to be involved and the young people really enjoyed the experience. For more information you can follow us on the social media belowDance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL supports MAX Card users
DAZL supports MAX Card users So what is the Max Card? The Max Card is a discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs. Families simply show their Max Card upon entry to a venue in order to obtain free or discounted admission. The scheme is designed to help these families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and more. MaxCard aim to provide a sense of community through stimulating learning experiences and enjoyable days out for everyone. MaxCard work with local authorities and selected charities, who administer the cards to eligible families in their areas. http://www.mymaxcard.co.uk/ DAZL message to MaxCard users is to Try a DAZL dance session, classes across Leeds for anyone aged 3 -25 years. We’re here to make sure you have fun even if you’ve never danced before. DAZL can introduce you to all kinds of dance; Street, Cheerdance, Hip-Hop, Breakdance, Creative, Jazz, Contemporary and more … Express yourself, you’ll have a great time make new friends, not to mention keeping fit whilst filling you with confidence, improving your health and well-being! If young people have a max card they can access our community provision for FREE and our competitive dance provision will be charged at £1. Young people can also access holiday activity for FREE too but must book on as places can be limited. Full list with locations of sessions across Leeds are here http://www.dev.dazl.org/dance-classes-groups-leeds/ DAZL has a commitment to looked after children/ carers/ foster families also young people with additional need to support them to engage with the arts. DAZL does this as we want to be as inclusive as possible and reduce the barriers to the arts/ physical activity for all. For more information you can follow us on the social media below Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
DAZL Takes Part In Belle Isle Gala 2016
DAZL Takes Part In Belle Isle Gala 2016 On Saturday 2nd July 2016 the DAZL groups which have been supported with funding by the Inner South Community Committee.  The groups who meet at the South Leeds Youth Hub and Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre showcased work and also promoted summer activity. The dancers performed to a packed crowed from the local community of Belle Isle, the event was hosted by Windmill Primary School and the Local Ward Councillors. This was the final gala performance for the South Leeds DAZL groups as they will be working hard over the summer creating four dance films in partnership with wayne sables project. Young people can also get involved in the groups summer creative week Monday 1st – Friday 5th August at the South Leeds Hub. For more information you can follow us on the social media below Dance Action Zone Leeds Facebook   @DAZL_Leeds Twitter
