Memory in Motion

Dance Umbrella presents:

Experience an amazing evening of stories, dancing, music and participation. Part of Touch The Floor, a Dance Umbrella event curated by Anthea Lewis exploring the history and evolution of Black British social dance and music cultures. Through talks, movement, music, making and participation, it celebrates the informal spaces where people gathered, connected and created community.

6pm – 7.30pm
We Come Together

A conversation hosted by former director of the Black Cultural Archives Lisa Anderson with DJ and music curators Cyndi Handson, Spider J, Dean Bryce, interdisciplinary artist Amarnah Ufuoma Cleopatra and visual theatre maker Benji Reid.

This panel will explore the role of social dance, music and collective memory in shaping Black British cultural life.

Benji Reid and Amarnah Ufuoma Cleopatra offer personal reflections to open the session and set the tone for the conversations ahead.

8pm – 8:45pm
Step To It with Paradigmz and Guest Artists

An interactive exploration of social dance through archival footage, music, live demonstration and participation with performance artist, poet, teacher and choreographer Paradigmz.

9pm – 11:30pm
Come We Go – A Closing DJ Set with Cyndi Handson

The evening ends on the dance floor as DJ Cyndi Handson of the Handson Family invites everyone to move together through a shared musical journey, celebrating the joy, connection and collective memory held within social dance. Together, we become part of a living archive.