African contemporary dance increases awareness of addiction

24 Jul 2017 10:49 AM

Supported by the Grants for the Arts scheme, High aims to increase awareness of addiction and substance misuse, through African contemporary dance.

Arts Council England has invested £15,000 from the National Lottery for High, a new production which will improve understanding and awareness of addiction and substance misuse, through African-contemporary dance.

Keneish Dance Company will develop the show by researching real-life stories from people living in Birmingham and the Black Country, in partnership with the drug recovery charity Change, Grow and Live.

High will be performed at the Sandwell Valley Summer Festival on Sunday 20 August,  with the opportunity for audience members to talk about the show. Students aged 16-18 from Sandwell College will perform the show at the college on Wednesday 20 September, supported by Birmingham Dance Network. It will then go on to be toured across the UK.

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “Dance is a great way for people to express themselves creatively and it’s very positive to see an important issue, such as addiction, being explored by High." 

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