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ABOUT
Toussaint To Move was established in 2015, founded by artistic director, Akeim Toussaint Buck. Akeim is an interdisciplinary performer and maker, born in Jamaica and raised in England. Toussaint To Move’s intention is to create moving, thought provoking, accessible and free-spirited projects. Exploring a variety of themes that challenge, enlighten, and entertain audiences in a visceral way by calling on multiple art forms to weave a spectacle. Audiences are not just observers; they are implicit in the experience. The work aims to reflect on reality, looking at ongoing socio-political issues, with a humanitarian intention.
Since graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance with a first-class honour bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts, Akeim has been involved in multiple cross disciplinary projects with a wide range of artists and communities from around the world. The aesthetic of the work combines art forms such as: dance, creative writing, film, poetry, beat-box, singing and acting. Fused to create performances bridge the gaps between a variety of audiences, cross pollinating audiences from different mediums of art.
Akeim’s movement interest has a myriad of inspirations that include Capoeira, Martial Arts, Contemporary Dance, Contact Improvisation, Caribbean Dance, Hip Hop and Yoga. His performance focus expands from the physical to vocal expression. Building on an interest in the voice’s expressive qualities, with current explorations of beatboxing and vocal improvisation in the form of the Beatmotion Practice. With a focus on rhythm, flow, melody of lyrical delivery and musical capabilities in the voice.
The future is bright @ToussaintToMove, new projects and partnerships are being solidified adding momentum and repertoire to the universe of the work. In the past decade Akeim’s achievements include becoming Irie Dance Theatre’s Artist in Residence for 2019-2020, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Yorkshire Dance and Spin Arts’ Catapult 2019. Becoming Associate Artist at Geraldine Connor Foundation 2018 and Deda Derby 2021. Creating Radical Visions through Sadler’s Wells Wild Card program 2022 and becoming recipient of The Arts Foundation Futures Dance Theatre Award 2023.
Special thanks to the following organisations for the continued support Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Inspired, IRIE! Dance Theatre, Spin Arts, RJC, Fabric, Streatham Space Project, Serendipity, NSCD and Arts Council England etc.
Here is an artist you will hear more about, guaranteed to deliver work that moves you.
Welcome to Toussaint To Move.
Windows Of Displacement
Windows of Displacement, choreographed and performed by Akeim Toussaint Buck is an autobiographically sourced solo blending dance, song and spoken word to explore personal and global narratives, ancestral memory and the increasingly urgent shifting politics surrounding the movement of people.
Commissioned by Yorkshire Dance Amplified and Northern School of Contemporary Dance through the Northern Connections programme, delivered in partnership with Spin Arts and Leeds Beckett University. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Developed at Leeds Playhouse and supported by The Civic, Barnsley and RJC Dance. Premiered 2016 at Leeds Playhouse.
Special thanks to Amanda Huxtable, Zodwa Nyoni, Beth Cassani, Sai Murray, Akeelah Betram, Amy Letman, Janet Smith, and Audrey Mae Bartholomew.
Windows Of Displacement has toured extensively throughout England and is now ready for international bookings.
Beatmotion
Beatmotion explorations began as a research development into a dance theatre show exploring the existence of patriarchal power and stereotype in our society. Unfolding the discourse between people, based on identities and situations. Using movement and the voice to present, challenge and destroy stereotypical narratives. Arriving to the unwavering truth of humanity’s need for a communal way of life that accepts all the facets of our being.
Beginning the development of Beatmotion was supported by Spin Arts through the Catapult 2019 program organised by Spin Arts, NSCD & Yorkshire Dance. With ongoing support from Dance Studio Leeds and developed with public funding from National Lottery via Arts Council England.
Since this period in 2019 the artist’s focus has shifted to look at the depth and articulation of the practice of voice and movement which Beatmotion employs. Without the socio-political narratives as theatrical information, what does the act of voice and movement do to the practicing performer? This has led to numerous off shoots of this work in improvisational forms and set pieces, workshops and intensives that have taken place in higher education and in professional settings. Diving into Beatmotion as an enriching practice for the vocal dancer and the seed of a multimedia dance theatre work for a mixed audience to eventually be realised when the time feels right.
Videography credit to Ashley Karrell
Sib Y Osis
Sib Y Osis is a dance theatre performance encapsulating a journey of contentment, play, fear, rage, and joy. A trio performed by two dancers and a musician. This is a story exploring an emotive journey shared by siblings living in a state of spirit and dance, opposed by a shifting environment of pain and celebration. Drawing on the feelings of oppressed people in the current reawakening of the political right wing. Taking inspiration from historical and present systems of discrimination, activism, and spirituality. This work draws power from the elating spirit to bring relief from the struggle.
The development of Sib Y Osis was supported by Serendipity for their BHM Leicester showcase. With ongoing support from Irie Dance Theatre, RJC Dance and Dance Studio Leeds. Developed with public funding from National Lottery via Arts Council England.
This work has been performed as an outdoor and indoor work and is currently on a hiatus to be further developed as a multimedia outdoor spectacle.
Filmed and Edited by Dan Martin
SNAKEBOX
Filmed and Edited by Entheos Media Group
Snakebox presents P.L.A.Y. A spontaneous, interactive, live creation inspired by audiences’ response and input. The audience and the performers, indulge their sense of play, guided by Akeim & Otis in a safe participatory experience. Gathering interrogations from the audience through games, utilising their skills in dance, music, and physical theatre to transform the information into the performance in the moment. Expect creative innovation in the open process of people creating together. Audiences leave with a gleeful joy and a sense of PLAY.
The development of P.L.A.Y. has been supported by Leeds City College, Geraldine Connor Foundation, Dance Studio Leeds, RJC Dance and public funding by Arts Council England.
Snakebox also released a 4 track E.P called ‘Snakebox’. The energy of the songs is of creative expression and reflective poetic observations. The songs are to take with you on your way and blast an injection of imagination and positive energy into you daily ventures.
Filmed and Edited by Entheos Media Group
SOULS & CELLS
Souls & Cells is a collaboration between Akeim Toussaint Buck and Crystal Zillwood, exploring ancestry and biology – what makes us different and what unites us on a universal level. During 4 months, Akeim and Crystal researched a joint artistic practice with an intergenerational participatory strand – working together in the studio, delivering participation activities and receiving mentorship throughout the process.
Supported using public funded from Arts Council England/National Lottery, and co-commissioned by Déda Derby Dance.
Partners: Déda Derby Dance, Leeds Black Elders Association, KalaSangam, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Sadler’s Well, The Dance Studio Leeds.
Filmed and Edited by Dan Canham
DISPLACED
Ashley Karrell is an award-winning director, photographer, film, and theatre-maker with a career spanning 20 years. He has produced a broad spectrum of work that includes visual art, commercial and experimental video productions, and mass participation pieces across and outside of the UK.
Ashley & Akeim have collaborated on numerous films over the years, this includes Displaced, Reckoning and Negus. All of which have been accepted into numerous festivals and are screened in independent events curated by the artists.
Displaced is the cinematic reimagining of Akeim Toussaint Buck’s one-man dance theatre show: ‘Windows of Displacement’. Created and Co-directed by Ashley Karrell, the film continues the exploration of themes such as: displacement, race, culture, and imperialism. Focussing more on the African Diaspora via the settings of the inner-city community. Taking aspects of the live work and re-contextualising them in real life spaces that support in amplifying this feeling of displacement. Giving the viewer a fraction of the feeling of being displaced people. Visually captivating with striking imagery and virtuoso dance, ‘Displaced’ takes the viewer on a journey calling for reflection and global change. Displaced was created using public funding through National Lottery and Arts Council England.
RECKONING
Reckoning is a multimedia short film created by a collaboration of Liberty EU Portfolio artists – Choreographer and Storyteller Akeim Toussaint Buck, Filmmaker Ashley Karrell, Animator Benedetta Fasson and Writer mandla rae. Weaving together contemporary lyrical dance, archive, animation, and storytelling. Reckoning has been created from the Reckoning with Refugeedom archives which tell the stories of generations of displaced people in their own words. Reckoning was commissioned by ArtReach for Journeys Festival International in partnership with the University of Manchester, funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council and co-funded by Creative Europe as part of Liberty EU.
NEGUS
Negus, the title bestowed on Emperors of Ethiopia, the Kings of Kings. This is an initiation, a story of anointing beckoned to the receiver from within. A striking figure narrates this poetic world of form and formlessness, evoking a sense of spirit and other worldliness. Dance and music transiently immerse this journey from the still darkness of the unknown to the coronation of the child. Our ascension doesn’t start from any outward action, it takes place from our acknowledgement of our greatness. The creation of Negus was commission by Sadlers Wells and can still be seen on their Digital Stage.
Curation
Radical Visions is born out of Akeim Toussaint Buck’s Wild Card programme at Sadlers Wells in January 2022. Taking over traditional theatre spaces it gathers audiences to experience live and contemporary work exploring race, ancestry, and power. Radical Visions intentionally commissions, showcases, and celebrates work and artists from the Global Majority while cultivating community and ally-ship. After two sold-out, 5-star events at Sadler’s Wells, Radical Visions returned, taking place in Leeds as part of the COLOUR Festival at NSCD in October 2022.
Radical Visions have included artists such as Alethia Antonia, FUBUNATION, Gerrard Martin Dance, Gateway Productions, Muti Musafiri, Soloman The Wizard, Tatenda Matsvai, Lateshia Howell, Ginalda Tavares, Taiwo Ogunyinka, Lulia Togara, Pariss Elektra, Azizi Cole, Otis Jones, Matias Reid, Amy Adiaga and Xhosa Cole. If you’re interested in this curational extravaganza, please get in touch and let’s take Radical Visions to the world.
MOVEMENT DIRECTION
FAR GONE
BY JOHN RWOTHOMACK
“IF I INVITED YOU TO COME WITH ME ON JOURNEY, A STORY, WILL YOU COME WITH ME?” NORTHERN UGANDA. WHEN OKUMU’S VILLAGE IS ATTACKED BY THE LORD’S RESISTANCE ARMY (LRA), HE AND HIS BROTHER’S LIVES ARE CHANGED FOREVER. FAR GONE IS A PROFOUNDLY MOVING STORY OF A YOUNG BOY’S JOURNEY FROM CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE TO CHILD SOLDIER. SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE THAT LOVE HIM AND THOSE THAT BETRAY HIM, OKUMU’S EXPERIENCE STRIKES STRAIGHT AT THE HEART THROUGH A POWERFUL ONE-MAN PERFORMANCE. WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY JOHN RWOTHOMACK, THIS SHOW WAS ORIGINALLY DEVISED THROUGH SHEFFIELD THEATRE’S ‘MAKING ROOM’ AND IS DIRECTED BY MOJI ELUFOWOJU, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF SHEFFIELD THEATRE’S RESIDENT COMPANY, UTOPIA THEATRE.
CARNIVAL CHRONICLES
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ZODWA NYONI.
CHARTING A LOVE STORY SPANNING 50 YEARS, FROM THE CARIBBEAN TO LEEDS, MELODY AND CYRIL TELL THEIR STORY OF MIGRATION, LOVE, LOSS AND CELEBRATION. CARNIVAL CHRONICLES IS EMBROIDERED WITH MOMENTS FROM LEEDS WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL’S HALF A CENTURY HISTORY AND THE ACCOUNTS OF THE PIONEERS AND COMMUNITY THAT BROUGHT CARNIVAL TO THE CITY OF LEEDS.
IDOL
BY JAMAL GERALD
WHO WOULD YOU RATHER PRAY TO? BEYONCÉ OR WHITE JESUS?
JAMAL GREW UP CATHOLIC IN A CARIBBEAN HOUSEHOLD, BUT WOULD RATHER LIGHT A CANDLE AND WORSHIP CELEBRITIES THAN WHITE SAINTS. COMBINING AFRICAN DIASPORIC RITUAL, MUSIC AND STORYTELLING, IDOL IS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THAT ASKS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T SEE YOURSELF REPRESENTED. FEATURING A HOST OF CELEBRITY APPEARANCES.
JAMAL GERALD IS AN ARTIST BASED IN LEEDS. HIS WORK IS CONVERSATIONAL, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS AND A CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUALITY.
Nine Night
a Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse co-production
Directed by Amanda Huxtable. Natasha Gordon’s remarkable award-winning debut play, which was originally commissioned by and played at the National Theatre ahead of a successful West End run, holds a mirror up to family life – and loss – reflecting the heartfelt comedy and deep sorrow that occurs when they gather together to share memories, good food and grievances older than Gloria’s well-loved dining table.
EARTHFLOW
This is a class inspired by Contemporary and Caribbean Dance Elements, Release Technique, Animal Flow, Yoga and Capoeira. We will seek liberation and flow of our movement, by strengthening our grounding/connection to the earth and finding elasticity of our core. From shifting our weight in lower spaces of gravity, to slicing space, changing levels and textures of movement. We will integrate movement patterns and rhythms, travelling through the room. Inviting an acute focus, finding accuracy, breath and clarity. In an energetic and playful environment we will revitalise our senses, build strength, stamina and open our awareness as we move together as one in our bodies and as a community. Class will be accompanied by live music (beat box).
This class can be adapted to different ages and for all levels from beginners in dance to professionals.
VOCALFLOW
This is a journey of open forum, voice work, creative writing, collective creation and performance in an encouraging environment without judgement. Giving space for self-expression amongst peers. This is highly important as the lack of space to express our selves can lead to depression, anxiety and a loss of connectedness. This inhibits us from being our best and highly functional selves. Together we will explore our unseen connections and creativity. Creating a stronger bond amongst us for a safer environment to work, learn and live together. Using our voices and stories we can cultivate and create beautiful experiences to share with each other.
Nothing can inhibit this session. You need no experience or training, making this work suitable for all ages and abilities.
See Me
Track to get concert, live stream and tour updates.
- Souls & Cells at Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- 05/06/2023-19:30
- 05/06/2023-21:00
- 98 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4BH
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- https://nscd.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173637087
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- https://nscd.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173637087
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- Uncanned Open Mic
- 04/20/2023-19:00
- 04/20/2023-21:00
- 223 Chapeltown Rd, Leeds LS7 3DX
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- MY WORD, THE WORLD & A JOURNEY TO JOY
- 04/22/2023-18:00
- 04/22/2023-20:00
- 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA, England.
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- https://richmix.org.uk/book-online/1103602/
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