STRUT
Glasgow Oct 2021
A night time outdoor performance and mobile projection parade by Megahertz featuring 5 local dance heroes from Govanhill and Pollokshields who performed personal choreographies reflecting the celebratory energy of their much loved neighbourhoods in their own styles of Bhangra, Salsa, Romani, Hip-Hop and Contemporary .
These talented movers and shakers were selected from a wide-ranging Open Call, with the help of a community panel. Most of them were performing publicly for the first time.
The rotating one-performer parade wove through the streets, giving the spectators time to watch several dances, and show their appreciation by cheering, flickering their lights and wave to their neighbours before the procession moved away.
STRUT took place in:
Pollokshields Thursday 7th October 2021
Govanhill Sunday 10th October 2021
We are currently organising a new STRUT performance to take place in the Seedhill neighborhood of Paisley in February 2022 (please click here for the open call)
STRUT Govanhill pictures by Brian Hartley
Poster design Ashwin Chacko
“I’m excited to join Strut on this unique project. I have always performed on stages, so performing on the road will be a unique experience for me. Dav and Bex’s enthusiasm for this project is infectious and we have had a blast during rehearsals. I love dance because it keeps me fit, focused, positive and connected to my culture.”
Our team:
STRUT Dancers: Seema, Joshua Macmillan, Nancy Jacinto, Nathan Mcgarvey, Rudi Rostas and Mexico
Design+Direction: MHz
Community Engagement: Mhz + Feral
Mentor: Jeanefer Jean-Charles
Dance Facilitators: Jennifer Taggart + Alexandra Tsiapi
Translator: Rahela+David Cirpaci
Stage Manager: Abigail McMillan
Lighting: Laurie Paul
Technicians: Siri Black, Laurie Paul
Community Panel: Usma Ashraf, Tabassum Niamat, Alexandra Tsiapi
Poster Design: Ashwin Chacko
Filming: Robbie T Jones
Photographers: Brian Hartley, Simon Murphy
Producers: Feral
Stewards: InHouse
Artist Biographies
Joshua MacMillan
Joshua 16, is a self taught dancer from Govanahill. Inspired by the TV show 'dance mums' and dancer Maddie Zigleger, he has been dancing with his 5 siblings since the age 5 in their flat and on the corner of his street where he practises acrobatics. His dance style is a mixture of ballet, lyrical, contemporary and gymnastics. Dancing has helped him express himself since a young age where he was bullied at school as well as understand his recent diagnosis of Autism. His dream is to go to Royal School of Ballet and apart from dancing everyday his favourite thing to do is draw and colour photorealist animals.
SEEMA
Seema 37 is a Bollywood, Bhangra and Yoga instructor. She is originally from Punjab in India and now is married living with her husband and 2 children. She completed a BA in vocal music, history & Punjabi in 2005, and since moving to Glasgow teaches dance in schools and nurseries, volunteers at the local Gurdwara and has a radio show on Awaz FM since 2009. To stay connected during lockdown she became a Vlogger and currently has 42k followers on her FBpage called 'Seema’s Diary'.
Seema loves spending time with her family & connecting with mother nature.
Rudi Rostas
Rudi 44 grew up in a town called Oradea in Romania, he now lives in Govanhill. His style of dance is called ‘Traditional Roma Dance’ and was passed on from his parents and grandparents. He likes to add his own dance moves using a-lot of leg movement. Whenever there is a party Rudi is the first one there, his dancing shoes are always on and he is ready to dance at any occasion.
He took part in dancing contest a couple of years ago in Romania and won first place. Rudi says “My hobby is dancing I can dance all day long. It gives me so much positive energy and whenever I’m having a tough day i put some music on and dance with my family.”
Mexico
Trezor Rostas AKA Mexico is 10 years old and comes from Romania and now lives in Govanhill with his family. He loves dancing and the style he dances is Traditional Roma dance. His father taught him how to dance since he was a baby and has never stopped dancing since then. His favourite thing in the world is dancing because it brings him joy.
He dances all the time especially at home. As a hobby its very special to him because his uncle Rudi taught him and all the Roma people dance this dance style.
Nancy Ahmar
Nancy 33 is a Mexican dancer, actress and holds a degree in Performing Arts and Dramatic Literature. Since she was 12 years old Nancy has practiced various disciplines including: artistic gymnastics, jazz, ballet, Bollywood dance, Latin dance (Salsa, Merengue, reggaeton, Bachata), ATS Bellydance and Bellydance.Dancing for her has been her life, a part of expression and a way to communicate.
Nancy teaches Bellydance and latino classes in Glasgow and enjoys watching movies, listening to music, singing and being with her family-friends
Nathan McGarvey
Nathan 21 grew up in Govanhill and is a self taught dancer. Animation is what he does which is a mix of waving, popping, locking and isolation.
Nathan loves dance because ‘it is a part of our intrinsic humble beginnings as a form of communication whether witnessed in modern day isolated tribes or viewed among almost every culture and society as a form of commune or celebration whether in an emblematic capacity or an emotional or spiritual one”
His favourite hobby has to be dancing “it is a constant as much as breathing or eating is and is a meditative activity to feel connected to a deeper, more historic part of our collective past shared by not only humans, but seemingly all conscious and moving entities in life.”
promo pictures by Simon Murphy
“Outdoor performance STRUT will celebrate our local communities. Featuring and championing dance heroes from Govanhill and Pollokshields, this uplifting project will reflect the celebratory energy and diverse cultures of these neighbourhoods
”
“Dance seems to possess a vast history yet enters new frontiers all the time and constantly evolves and radiates joy among a community and for each individual whom partakes ”
