Island Movements at Tang Hall Explore in 2024. Picture: David Harrison for Explore York
EXPLORE York invites you to celebrate the untold stories of Britain’s black ballet dancers, brought centre stage for the first time in a new touring exhibition at York Explore Library.
The exhibition is free to view with no need to book, so just come along. In addition, during the May school half-term, it will be accompanied by a workshop programme, including dance, storytelling, photography, VR and more.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Into The Light: Pioneers Of Black British Ballet is the result of a partnership between creative agency Oxygen Arts and Libraries Connected.
The exhibition brings together archive photography, film, newspaper articles and posters alongside new video and audio interviews to trace the history of black British ballet from the 1940s to the present day.
Into The Light showcases these dancers at the height of their careers, performing across Europe, Asia and North America during a time of profound global change—including the civil rights movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of apartheid in South Africa.
Dave Fleming, Explore York’s lead for innovation, creativity and learning, says: “Last year’s ballet performance, Island Movements, was a sell-out with an enthusiastic audience from five-year-olds to 80-year-olds packed into Tang Hall Library.
The Into The Light exhibition. By permission of Libraries Connected
“That was such an inspiring and unforgettable occasion. This exhibition and the accompanying events programme will offer people another chance to connect with the remarkable history of black British ballet. It’s an absolute pleasure to bring the Into the Light exhibition and events programme to York.”
The story of black dancers in British ballet is rich, complicated and inspiring. Its history stretches back to 1946, when Berto Pasuka, who had trained in classical ballet in Jamaica, founded Europe’s first black dance company, Les Ballet Nègres, alongside fellow Jamaican dancer Richie Riley.
The supporting programme runs from May 27 to 31; bookings can be made at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/exploreyorklibrariesandarchives?srch=Into+the+Light.
May 27, 10.30am: Dance workshop, York Explore.
May 27, 2pm, Onisere And The Ballet Queen, book workshop, York Explore.
May 28, 10am, Onisere And The Ballet Queen, book workshop, Tang Hall Explore.
May 28, 2pm, Creative writing workshop, Tang Hall Explore.
May 29, 2pm, Creating A VR Experience online with BOM Media, online.
May 30, 2pm, Dance photography workshop, York Explore.
May 31, 2pm, Classical ballet workshop, Tang Hall Explore.
Box office: buytickets.at/exploreyorklibrariesandarchives/.