Dance company Confidance is launching Folkestone's first disability dance festival, Radical Motion, from July 2 to July 4 at Quarterhouse, Tontine Street. The festival aims to establish Folkestone as a centre of dance excellence in the south-east for autistic and learning disabled dancers.
Partnerships and Highlights
In partnership with Bradford-based Mind the Gap, a leader in inclusive theatre training, the festival includes shows, family workshops, research and skills training. ConfiCo, Confidance’s professional training company of learning disabled and autistic dance artists, will headline with their new work 'Give Me Space'. Co-created with the dancers, the work amplifies the voices and experiences of a community often ignored.
Founder's Vision
Confidance founder Jo Frater, 44, has a brother and son with Down Syndrome. She said: "For too long, dancers with learning disabilities and neurodivergence have been excluded from many aspects of society including dance, and opportunities to develop their talent and skills are woefully limited. This is something I am passionate about changing. Confidance offers professional pathways for disabled dancers who both benefit from and inform our inclusive dance training and choreography."
Frater added: "The idea of Radical Motion is to showcase just what’s on offer in the town. Folkestone is a beacon of inclusive dance and my aim is for it to grow in reputation as a disability dance hub in the south-east. By partnering with organisations like Mind the Gap, Stopgap and Bubble Club - leaders in inclusive performance and events - we are setting the bar high and showcasing the richness, creativity and quality that is on offer in the disability arts sector. Audiences with and without disabilities are in for a real treat!"
Festival Programme
Thursday, July 2
Make Your Move: Confidance Open Workshop: 10.30am to 11.30am
Friday, July 3
ConfiCo Workshop: Give Me Space: 10.30am to 11.30am
Double Bill: Mind the Gap / ConfiCo: 1pm to 2.30pm
Saturday, July 4
Everybody Moves: Confidance Family Workshop: 10.15am to 11.15am
Mind the Gap Dance Workshop: 11.30am to 12.30pm
Learning disabled leadership in dance, with Hannah Sampson and Stopgap: 1.30pm to 2.30pm
'I'm Me' accessible research workshop: 3.30pm to 5pm
Double Bill: Mind the Gap / ConfiCo: 7pm to 8pm
The Closing Party in collaboration with Bubble Club (London): 8pm to 10pm
About ConfiCo and Confidance
ConfiCo, formed in 2019, consists of dancers with learning disabilities who create and perform bold new dance performances across Kent. They bring high-quality representation to key arts events and perform to hundreds each year. Confidance has been trailblazing inclusion in Kent for over 15 years, providing accessible dance training in schools, community classes, and professional training. Their mission is to ensure people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergence are seen, heard and valued.
