The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee to get dancing for 2023 culture bid
Event looks into future to imagine how city might evolve
Culture enthusiasts and long-term dreamers gathered in Meadowside last night to discuss how Dundee might look in 36 years time.
Attendees heard from speakers including Dundee 2023 bid director Bryan Beattie, Gillian Easson from Creative Dundee and young people from the Hot Chocolate Trust who shared their opinions as to how the city will evolve, grow and change over the next three decades.
Andy Robertson, of the Hot Chocolate Trust – a youth organisation based in Dundee – said the evening presented some terrific ideas on how people in the future may adapt creativity and play in their lives, without it having to be a “means to an end”.
He said: “As part of our focus on how Dundee might look in 2053, we looked into how ethics and values might adapt across the city, especially given how our use of gadgets and technology seems to increase.
“What we all took away from the event was how important it was for us, as young people, to ask not just ‘what we want to be when we are older, but who’.”
Meanwhile, people across Dundee are being asked to put on their dancing shoes in support of the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.
The mass choreographed dance event will take in Slessor Gardens on Saturday October 7. The routine has been inspired by some of Dundee’s favourite landmarks and characters.
An online tutorial is available for anyone who wants to take part in the event and features a host of new dance moves with Dundee-themed names such as the Law Hill, Sails of the Discovery, Waves of the Tay, Telescope from Mills Observatory as well as moves inspired by comic characters Desperate Dan, Oor Wullie and Dennis the Menace.
The routine has been designed by Thomas Small, founder of the Shaper/ Caper dance company.
The dance is set to the official Dundee 2023 soundtrack, Over Bridges.
Filmed at The Space, it is hoped the online tutorial will inspire hundreds of people to practise the moves at home, before joining in with the planned mass dance session at Slessor Gardens on October 7.
A free rehearsal is set to take place on Wednesday October 4 at Craigowl Primary School between 7-9 pm for those who want to practise their moves before the dig day.
Anyone seeking further details about the events should email hello@shapercaper.com.