September 2007

Classically British 2007 is here!

31 October 2007, 3pm and 7.30pm
20th Century Theatre, Westbourne Grove, London W11
See the Classically British section.


Our name is changing to PORTOBELLO DANCE!

To gain a stronger position in the marketplace, the management have unanimously voted for our activities to trade under the exciting new name, with Mark Elie as Artistic Director. Please bear with us whilst temporary changes to publicity are progressed over the coming weeks.

Cheques can now be made out to Portobello Dance, or Mark Elie Dance Foundation which remains the registered name of the charity.

June 2007

ConfiDANCE - A Fundraiser: An Evening of Musical Theatre

Thursday 21st June
Time: 7–9pm Showtime: 7.45pm
The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY

The ConfiDance fundraising evening will showcase the MEDF Dance School's homegrown talent. Students will perform a show choreographed by dance trainer, Jai Simone & Anna Davydova. Plus evening includes individual performances from Special Guests from the West End & Television.

Junior Laniyan (formerly from the soap Holby City) will showcase his tap dancing talents; Ashley Campbell who stars as Sammy Davis in the musical, The Rat Pack - Live at the Sands will be singing live and dancers from "Classically British" will dazzle you with their classical ballet skills.

Supported by:- TV Presenter June Sarpong, Broadcaster Lisa I'Anson, Actor Danny John Jules, Lady Elizabeth Bingham of Cornhill, The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Tim Ahern.

Ticket price £20

By Pay Pal (from Tuesday 5th June)
Non-account holders:
www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_send-money
Signup for an account,
add email address ref: markeliedancefoundation@uk2.net

or available on the door on the night.

 

February 2007

The Empire Strikes Black

Sunday May 27
Tickets £12-20 from Box Office 020 8985 2424
A showcase of 'Classically British' will be part of this year's performance of 'The Empire Strikes Black', an annual Comedy Gala held at the Hackney Empire in London to celebrate black talent and raise money for a small town in Ghana.


The Ghana 50 Festival - Fashion show

Friday June 1
4pm and late party show at 8pm
Mark Elie has been invited to choreograph for the Fashion Show at The Ghana 50 Festival at the V&A (May 26 - June 3). The Fashion show will feature 3 upcoming contemporary British/Ghanaian/West African designers, with music by Ras Kwame (Radio 1), and  will reflect the independence era in the 50's of Ghana to contemporary Ghanaian fashion of today - incorporating the latest couture techniques from West Africa using western and African textiles, prints and materials.

December 2006

School holiday dates

Last day Saturday 9th December (Christmas presentation) / resume Saturday 13th and Thursday 18th January 2007.


Christmas Show 2006

Saturday 9th December. Westbourne Grove Church, Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RW. 'Tiny Tots' 11am-12pm and all other age groups 1-3.30pm. Tickets £5 on the door

October 2006

Classically British 2006 is here!
As the countdown  for our main commercial dance event picks up increasing media attention, so does our website. See the EVENTS section.

 

Making the glossies
In September, the Grove magazine featured our work and current issues.
Download (pdf) click here

Tabernacle
We are still awaiting for a final decision to be made on whether we can go back to the Tabernacle as our permanent home. For the foreseeable future, we have it for our Thursday classes.

August 2006

Autumn Term 2006

The School term starts on Saturday 9 September, and runs until Saturday 9 December

London Youth Games

In July, the School Performance Group in collaboration with the London Youth Dance project at Sadler's Wells,  represented The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea at the London Youth Games in Chrystal Palace - Europe's largest youth sport event.

The Big Dance at the Tate

The Performance Group also presented at Tate Modern for with BBC London Roots, a new national initiative between BBC English Regions and the Arts Council of England to increase the profile of diverse arts and related activities.

Coming soon!

Now in its fourth year, Classically British has gained such interest that it has been selected as a key event to open Black History Month 2006 at City Hall, home to the Mayor of London - 5 October (invitation only).

The Public event will be at the 20th Century Theatre, Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill - on October 22 at 8pm. Tickets are £10 (£7 concs). The Dress rehearsal will also be open to the public (more info coming!).

June 2006

Part-time Administrator

This exciting multicultural organisation (12 years old) runs a dance School for children and young adults and holds events to showcase this as well as the dance arts generally.

It needs a dynamic person to work alongside the Artistic Director and team to help with various aspects of the activities needs and future development.

One year appointment
Two mornings a week
Hours 9am to 1pm
Working from home (PC-based)

www.markelie-dancefoundation.co.uk

Enquiries 07947 484 021

Notting Hill or surrounding areas preferred Fundraising application experience a bonus.

May 2006

Student wins place at top arts school

After four years of hard work - and hundreds of hours of practise - 10-year old Yasemin Alkan has won a place at the Arts Educational School. She will study Ballet, Tap and Contemporary Dance. The school in Chiswick, is one of the top performing arts schools in London.

From Kensington & Chelsea News, 18 May 2006


As we still await news from the Tabernacle, the recent changes in class venues continue. See the Classes section for details.

Please call the hotline for any further information: 07947 484 021.

March 2005

Mark Elie collects award

Mark Elie was presented with a diploma from the British Ballet Organization
(BBO) in teaching Classical Ballet Dame Alicia Markova, DBE. D.MUS. Mark was part of the first batch of recipients to receive the award, now recognised by the Government as part of the National Curriculum.