News Archive - Page 8 of 10 - Jukebox Collective

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Ffion Campbell-Davies, highlighted in our lists of Black Welsh Creatives, is a multidisciplinary artist. As a performer, movement designer, director and instrumentalist, Ffion fuses artistic mediums to create immersive results.

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A graduate of London School of Contemporary Dance, Ffion has traveled to Brazil, Cuba and Los Angeles studying various forms of Afro-dance, as well as being a figure in London’s Underground Hip Hop scene. We’re constantly inspired by her artistic vision and creativity.

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In an interview with Welsh Youth media company Get The Chance, Ffion said ‘Hip-Hop is a mode of resistance, a political instrument for reconstruction. It is one of the most influential cultures on the planet, because of its wealth of knowledge and teachings through trans-generational art, it is legacy.’

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Watch Fffion in But Where Are you From? Directed by Tina Pasotra for Channel 4’s Random Acts.

Follow Fffion on Instagram.

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Highlighted in our list of Black Welsh Music Artists, Mace The Great is a Cardiff-based rapper making waves in the UK music scene. With two releases this year — Brave & Getting Love (MmmHmm) — and a new release on the way, Mace’s career is just gearing up. Showcasing Cardiff and its creatives on the team and scenes of his music videos, Mace is doing Cardiff proud.

Video by Redbrck

Mace’s track, Brave, centres around the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. Mace holds up his fist surrounded by newspaper clippings, proclaiming he’s ‘Coming from the land of the Brave’ in a nod to Cardiff.

In a write up for Brave, Viper Magazine wrote ‘Mace The Great carries Cardiff on his shoulders with pride, and this evident love he holds for his city is reciprocated tenfold by his local community.’

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Images by Marcus Georges

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From our Black Welsh Creatives: Change Makers list, British-Ghanaian curator, critic and art historian Osei Bonsu, originally from Wales, has made his mark in the world of visual arts. Currently Curator of International Art for Tate London, Osei has developed projects focused on transnational histories of art, collaborating with museums, galleries and private collections internationally.

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Osei started his journey into the arts as a tour guide at the National Museum Cardiff, and has since developed numerous projects with a focus on African art, being an advocate for the representation of African art in museums and galleries.

Follow Osei on Instagram

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In 2011, a group of Somali poets from Butetown walked into the National Theatre Wales office and said they wanted to make a show. Their story became De Gabay, an award-winning play which was performed in February 2013 as part of a National Theatre Wales residency in Butetown. Jukebox Collective dancers were cast to perform and take part in this wonderful production.

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In Somali culture, de gabay (poetry, song) is not only about expression, it is about art. It is about parlaying ideas between contesting groups; about conflict resolution; about philosophy. It is a ritual, and one that plays a lively role in shaping a community.

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TIPINI is a Welsh language show on S4C. It’s a colorful series for nursery children that welcomes everyone to sing and dance. Agency talent Jodelle Douglas was cast to entertain and engage through his animated use of movement.

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Artists’ Playground was a brand new and unique artist residency taking place in South Korea and held in partnership by National Theatre Wales and Performance Group TUIDA (South Korea). Artistic Director, Liara Barussi was selected after over 150 artists from Wales, South Korea, India and Japan applied to be a part.

Youtube Video

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The focus of the residency was to support the creation of innovative ideas, artistic experiments and cross-cultural collaborations. The residency explored various artistic practices including theatre, choreography, writing, live art, and installation.It was an opportunity for these artists to develop their practice alongside others – collaborating across artform on new ideas and sharing the results. The group also spent time reflecting on their current practice, as well as discussing and investigating the different approaches other artists take to making new work, ranging from the personal to the cultural.

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Our Academy students Lukas Gabco, Shakira Ifill and Gui Pinto featured in their first short film in 2018 ‘Edgar’s Hair’ which was written by Liam Kelly, and directed by Gavin Porter.

Lukas starred as the lead, Edgar Bootle who is fed up with being unpopular at school. Mocked by bullies for everything from his shoes to his phone, and most notably his hair. Edgar makes the decision that it is time for a change of image.

But will his new image change him for the better?

Watch here

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To celebrate 10 years of Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel (SSAP) Jukebox Collective were commissioned to develop a bespoke performance for the Gala. The event celebrated the vibrancy of the continent and the African community in Wales. It showcased the cultural treasures of Africa, the world’s most vibrant continent and celebrated her food, fashion, music, dance and poetry.

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Local Welsh storytellers, poets, musicians and guest speakers and a DJ entertained guests with sounds from across the continent including Highlife, Rhumba, Ndomboloo, Afrobeats, Soukous, Kizomba and more.

This was definitely one of our favourite Welsh events of the year!

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SSAP

SSAP is an independent think-tank on international development. SSAP aims to consider and pursue the needs of Diaspora Groups in their international development work, and to facilitate the knowledge and skills of Diaspora Groups in Wales to be used to advice and support indigenous Welsh International Development Organisations. Follow their work here.

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For Black History Month, we celebrated our favourite dance pioneers – from the inventors of locking to those that shaped the future of dance. Get to know the incredible list of those that paved the way for us today!

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The Nicholas Brothers

Fayard and Harold became one of the most popular double acts of the mid 20th century. They excelled in a variety of techniques, specifically tap dance.

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James Brown

A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music and dance.

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Gregory Hines

One of the most celebrated tap dancers of all time. Hines starred in more than forty films and also made his mark on Broadway during his lifetime.

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The Black Resurgents

Pioneered Boogaloo & Stepping groups in 1960’s – 1970’s Oakland.

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The Lockers

Credited for inventing ‘Locking’ in the 1970’s. Members included Don “Campbellock” Campbell & Greg “Campbellock Jr.”

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Geoffrey Holder

Cultural icon Geoffrey Holder was a Trinidadian born dancer, choreographer, actor, designer & painter based in New York.

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Tyrone Proctor

1970’s soul train dancer & pioneer of waacking.

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The Black Messengers

Formed in 1972, the group innovated a Boogaloo technique of “posing hard” which would develop into popping.

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Alvin Ailey

Dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958.

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Pearl Primus

Proselytizer for African dance. She was a dancer, choreographer and anthropologist who played an important role in the presentation of African dance to American audiences.

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Josephine Baker

American-born French dancer and singer who symbolized the beauty and vitality of Black American culture, which took Paris by storm in the 1920s.

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Elroy Josephz

Jamaican-British dancer, actor, producer and teacher. He played a central role in changing how modern dance is both taught and performed.

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Katherine Mary Dunham

Dancer, choreographer, author, educator, anthropologist, and social activist. She has been called the “matriarch and queen mother of Black dance.”

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Berto Pasuka

Founder of Les Ballet Negres, Europe’s first Black dance company in 1946.

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Buddy Bradley

Dancer and choreographer of the 1930s and later. He was the first Black dancer to choreograph an all-white show in London.

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The Electric Boogaloos

Founded by Boogaloo Sam in Fresno, California in 1977. Members included Poppin Pete, Skeeter Rabbit & Sugar Pop.

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I Dance Jazz (IDJ)

Formed in the 1980’s these UK dancers were pioneers of a jazz dance style fusing vernacular jazz, tap, ballet, West Indies and African dance traditions. Primarily practiced by Black male dancers from poor immigrant communities across the UK, they were known for their intricate footwork, incredible tricks, and tireless energy.

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As part of our online trip to Ghana, we held a conversation with Joey Lit – Artist, Designer, Creative Director, Philanthropist, Electrical Engineer & founder of Free The Youth Ghana. Free The Youth are a collective we look up to; they’re leading the way, engaging with the diaspora and presenting an image of Africa that defies stereotypes. Their cult streetwear label has gained local and international attention, and their future plans are taking them on an exciting journey, empowering youth globally.

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