RJC Dance Collection
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: RJC Dance Collection
Classmark: MS 1945
Creator(s): Lynch, Edward(); Edwards, Donald(); Hamilton, David MBE(); Williams, Kathy(); Robinson, Martin(); Clarke, De-Napoli(); Williams, Joe()
Date(s): 1993-2013
Size and medium: 2 boxes of paper; 1 box of digital
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/382703
Collection group(s): Performing Arts Collections
Description
Consists of records created by RJC Dance from their creation in 1993 until 2013. Includes production photographs, promotional posters, correspondence, newspaper articles, reviews and VHS tape, CD and DVD copies of performances.
Biography or history
RJC Dance was founded in 1993 by three of the original members of Phoenix Dance Theatre, David (Leo) Hamilton, Donald Edwards, and Edward Lynch. RJC Dance's work comes from a Black British perspective, and is committed to developing and promoting a new Black British choreographic language, this can be seen in its title: 'R' which stands for Reggae, 'J' for Jazz and 'C' originally for 'Calypso' but then changed to become the contemporary dance influence. Each area was developed and nurtured by the personal dance styles of the artists involved with the company including Sigourney Robinson, Joe Williams, De Napoli Clarke and current director, Kathy Williams.
RJC Dance has a truly broad appeal to a diverse audience both culturally and socially. Reggae, Jazz and Contemporary dance styles influence the company's choreographic approach which fuses social dance forms with contemporary dance techniques. The result is a universal dance language that is familiar, entertaining and hugely accessible. Since 1993 the company has created dance works which have influenced a generation of young choreographers and dance practitioners. A professional dance company that toured nationally and internationally from its base at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in Chapeltown in 2003.
RJC’s performances are about communication, with distinctive dance works created from a Black British perspective, expressing and celebrating the multicultural society in which we live. The Company’s work has a real aesthetic as it pivots on historical, cultural and social dance forms fused with contemporary dance techniques. RJC is distinguished by its combination of exciting, technically accomplished dancers who are rigorous and inspiring teachers.
From 2006 RJC Dance moved to the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown, Leeds and the company now is committed to developing its extensive programme of education and community outreach work, and a creative method that integrates performance by young people in productions. RJC’s youth dance company Shahck-Out Too! is highly acclaimed for producing work of great artistic quality and dynamic energy.
Provenance
The RJC Dance Collection was donated to Leeds Special Collections as part of the Black Dance Archives (UK) Project. The project was a Heritage Lottery funded project led by State of Trust, the charitable sister company of the production company State of Emergency, in partnership with Birmingham Libraries and Archives, the Black Cultural Archives, the National Resource Centre for Dance (NRCD) at the University of Surrey, and the University of Leeds. Running from September 2013 until March 2016, the project collected materials that recorded the activities of black British artists who created and performed dance mainly in the later years of the 20th century.
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
Some parts of this collection have not been listed in detail and the content may be protected under the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation. Please consult the relevant part of the catalogue for specific details. Where a detailed record does not exist, please contact Special Collections. Upon receipt of your request, a member of the team will discuss your requirements with you and review relevant material accordingly
Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.
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Subject theme: Theatre and Performance
An overview of the research potential of theatre and performance archives held at Special Collections at Leeds University Library.