Birmingham-based professional dance company, ACE dance and music, have announced the launch of their newly refurbished dance studio and performance venue in Digbeth, the city’s revolutionary creative district, on May 14th 2015.
ACE SPACE offers ACE dance and music the opportunity to expand and improve their existing programme, secure additional trading income from hires and space rentals, and add to the city’s growing stock of high-spec rehearsal spaces and venues.
Founded in 1996, ACE dance and music, skilfully combine African and Caribbean movement aesthetics with contemporary techniques to create high quality innovative performance work. The company’s work involves dance and music collaborations, the use of new digital media and techniques from other disciplines including theatre.
The company also work closely with the growing Digbeth community, offering extensive and inclusive outreach programmes, working with theatres to offer taster sessions and creative workshops to schools and colleges.
Founder and Artistic Director, Gail Parmel, said: “It's been ACE dance and music’s long term ambition to build a multi-purpose space and after several years of dedicated fund raising, we have managed to achieve our goal.”
“At ACE SPACE we can run our extensive education programme, offer rehearsal and performance space to visiting companies, develop and rehearse our own work and perform to invited audiences with our recently installed flexible seating, which can accommodate an audience of up to 120.”
“We're very excited about ACE SPACE and we know it will be a fantastic place for dance, music and theatre practitioners to work, learn, rehearse, perform, and network.”
ACE dance and music’s current facilities have already attracted some of the UK’s most high-profile dance companies to Digbeth, adding to its appeal as the creative quarter of Birmingham. Matthew Bourne Company used the facilities for rehearsal space, along with the production of Wicked, Strictly Come Dancing touring show, Birmingham Opera Company and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
On choosing Digbeth as the location for their studios, Gail Parmel said: “We're situated in a rapidly growing part of Birmingham - the formerly industrial Digbeth, which is just minutes from New Street station - and we think it'll encourage more people to visit this fantastic part of Britain's 'second' city, with its creative buzz and trendy appeal!”
“Springing up around us in Floodgate Street are artists' workshops, graphic designers, engineers, architects, cafes and restaurants - it's become the hottest place to be and I'm especially proud to say that ACE dance and music were one of the first companies to move into this area.”
The ACE SPACE Launch Event takes place on May 14th from 5.30pm – 7.30pm. The evening will comprise of presentations, performances, the opportunity to network, and a chance to celebrate the success of ACE dance and music.
