Someone wise once said that children are our future. NOISE, South Dublin’s youth arts programme, seems to have a definite grasp on this concept. Always on the lookout for new talent, programme organiser Victoria Durrer is sure to make this festival one to remember.
How did NOISEmoves get started?
NOISEmoves got started by Louise Costelloe. She was our “dancer in residence” for South Dublin County Council. She initiated it in 2010, but she is no longer with us. She’s moved on, but we’re continuing the work that she did in keeping the festival going because its proven to be a great event to showcase youth dance in the county.
How many groups do you typically have a year?
Typically, 10, but that includes special guest performances as well. We try to focus on groups that are in our county, but we’ve invited Dublin Youth Dance Company and CoisCeim Creative Steps.
How do you think the dance scene in Dublin compares to the dance scene in other parts of Ireland?
I think what NOISE does quite well with the festival is that it showcases many styles of dance. So we would have hip-hop and street dance alongside more contemporary dance. So we show the whole gamete. But the festival also includes master classes and film screenings, which are kind of not known to youth groups. So it’s kind of a cross-cultural event.
What is the age range of the dancers?
13-25
I’m sure you can see the progression of dancers from the time they are 13 to 25. Do you have groups that come to the festival every year?
Yeah, we do. It kind of varies, but the first year we had a group called “Dizzy Footwork Dance Academy,” who were unable to take part last year but will be back this year. It’s great to see them come along, but it also is a great way for us, as a local authority, to learn about other dance groups that might be out there that we don’t know about because we’re able to provide (them) this performance opportunity.
The performance showcase will take place on Sunday the 22nd of April at the Civic Theatre Tallaght at 8pm.
Words: Theresa Brady
