DANCE enthusiasts are being given the chance to experience the exotic at a summer school returning to Ipswich.African dance company Badejo Arts are coming back to town next month with their annual week-long summer school, Bami Jo.

By Jo Macdonald

DANCE enthusiasts are being given the chance to experience the exotic at a summer school returning to Ipswich.

African dance company Badejo Arts are coming back to town next month with their annual week-long summer school, Bami Jo.

Aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds, it will give young dancers the opportunity to learn about and experiment with traditional African dance and music techniques. They will then be given the chance to devise and choreograph their own piece.

This year's Bami Jo, which will take place at the Wolsey Studio, Ipswich, from August 5 to 9, is called Thunder and Lightning.

It will look at the traditional Bata Bade dance which integrates music and movement in flexible form. It originated in Nigeria but is now found in many forms across the world.

Past summer schools have been very popular, with tutors from countries as far afield as Nigeria, Cuba, Senegal, Togo, Jamaica, Congo and Madagascar.

Badejo Arts, founded by leading Nigerian choreographer Peter Badejo in 1990, has established itself as one of the cutting edge exponents of contemporary African dance.

As well as the annual Bami Jo summer school in Ipswich next month, the company is also touring the UK.

And the company frequently runs workshops, training and other projects for everyone from school children to professional dancers.

This year's Bami Jo costs £45 for the week and is one of many dance activities provided by DanceEast this summer.

For more information or to book a place, contact DanceEast on 01473 639230 or email info@danceeast.co.uk

Weblink: www.danceeast.co.uk

www.badejo.demon.co.uk