About

“All you need is the space and the right soundtrack” – Dave Haslam

 

Manchester is a city steeped in pop history; it’s part of its very foundations. Social history is not necessarily something you can see or touch in a museum or gallery, but is important to our understanding of our city’s culture. With this in mind, artist Lucienne Cole is working with The Whitworth Art Gallery (part of the University of Manchester) on a unique project examining social dance in Manchester.

 

The idea of The Whitworth Social follows a lifelong tradition and history of dance hall get-togethers where people from all walks of life joined in a unifying experience. The main aim is to bring a wide community of people who are the Gallery’s neighbours, people living in Rusholme and Fallowfield, together by way of dance and music. The focal point of the evening’s programme will be in the participation of an Old Time Dance called, ‘The Military Two Step’. The dance is significant to Manchester as it was invented by local man James Finnigan and developed by his daughter Ethel in 1903. The dance has not appeared on a dance programme for many, many years, so we are hoping to make our own mark on dance history in Manchester. ‘The Military Two Step’ also appears in The Smiths song, The Headmaster Ritual.

 

The event will continue with local dance groups demonstrating their own dances to a public audience. From Sequence to Ballroom, Lindy Hop to 60’s Dance crazes. From the dancehalls to the discos, we will be mixing it up with cross-generational music and dance with the help of DJ and writer Dave Haslam. Dave will also be creating a CD soundtrack to the Gallery and its collections.

 

Lucienne Cole says, “Dance is a way of bringing people together. It’s about sharing a common identity, bringing a community together physically and emotionally. Above all, it’s about letting go and enjoying yourself.”

 

Lucienne and her team would like to hear stories and experiences of dancing and music in Manchester. Anyone who has a story or would like to attend the Whitworth Social should email: whitworth.projects@googlemail.com or call the Gallery on 0161 275 7450.