Workshop to develop dance piece for Black History Month sharing the life of Cathay Williams. With dancer and choreographer Lola Adodo.

“TRACOBAND” is a new dance piece inspired by Cathay Williams, the first African American woman buffalo soldier who enlisted in the United States army under the pseudonym of William Cathay.

Lola Adodo is a dance artist, teacher, and choregrapher from New Dance Scopes. She will lead 12 women volunteers through two workshops to explore story and movement to create a new piece. This are development sessions.

The workshops will introduce the story of Cathay Williams and use physical movement to explore themes from her life:

• Bravery / Courage
• Smart / Clever
• Precision
• Independence
• Heaviness
• Pride

Who is this for? You might identify as a female dancer or budding dancer. You might be interested in supporting work which celebrates overlooked figures in history. You might be interested in exploring new movements, or sharing movements from your culture with a group. The session on 5th August is seated, so you may live with limited movement. We need women of all skin tones to explore the story.

What Will We Do? The aim of the workshops will be to create site-specific dance pieces for outdoor spaces in Stoke-on-Trent. Using the characteristics exhibited by Cathay Williams during her time as a Buffalo Soldier Lola will develop one seated and one non- seated dance pieces. Workshop participants may be invited to perform with Lola during Black History Month.

• 10.30am – 11.00am – Lola will introduce the story of Cathay Williams
• 11.00am – 12noon – Movement session
• 12noon – 1.00pm – Lunch (Please bring your own) and discussion
• 1.00pm – 2.00pm – Movement session
• 2.00pm – 2.20pm – Feedback and close.

Both workshops will be held at King St Studio, Newcastle Under Lyme. The workshop on 5th August will be seated so suitable for disabled dancers.

What will I need to bring? Please wear loose clothes and bring water and lunch. Tea, coffee and healthy snacks will be provided.

Is there parking? There is limited parking immediately at King St Studios and a paid council car park about 20 metres away on King St.

Covid precautions. Numbers are limited to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. We ask that you take a lateral flow test before attending the session, don’t attend if you are experiencing any symptoms, have had a positive test, or have been in contact with anyone who has had a positive test.

The development is being supported by Urban Wilderness for inclusion at The Happenings, a new public art festival produced by Urban Wilderness to be held in Stoke-on-Trent during Sept/Oct 2021