Help Belfast Boys perform at U.Dance 2023!

Our youth dance group, Belfast Boys, has been invited to represent Northern Ireland at the U.Dance National Festival 2023. As the only group from Ireland chosen to perform this is a fantastic opportunity, but we need your support.

The festival is taking place in Newcastle, England from 21-23 July and DU Dance (NI) is raising funds to pay for flights, accommodation and meals for the five dancers and two support staff whilst they attend the event.

Belfast Boys was set up in 2017 by DU Dance, a professional dance development company based in Belfast and working across the island of Ireland, the UK and internationally. Meeting every Saturday at the Crescent Arts Centre, the dancers are aged 12 to 16 and supported by dance artist Sean O’Neill.

The group was established because it is often difficult for boys to get involved in dance and other creative activities, as they are encouraged instead towards sports. If they do get involved they are often the only boy in a class full of girls. By setting up

Belfast Boys we have positively discriminated towards them, sparked their interest, and help them to see dance as a skillful, physically challenging and really enjoyable activity. The boys have performed to great accolades at Belfast Maritime Festival, Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade, the Ulster Museum, UNANIMOUS and Day of Dance.

Numbers have grown significantly and there is currently a waiting list for the junior Belfast Boys group.

Our Belfast Boys are so excited to attend the special event presented by One Dance UK in partnership with NYDC (England), Northern Stage, Dance City, Newcastle College and TIN Arts. Please help us get them there!

Just check out this film made by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland:

For more information on DU Dance and Belfast Boys: http://www.dudanceni.com/our-classes/belfast/

For more information on the U.Dance National Festival:

https://udancedigital.org/udance-national-festival/