Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: A symposium on men, movement and mental health

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: A symposium concerned with Men, Movement and Mental Health is taking place as part of First Fortnight Europe on 17 January 2019 at Rua Red Arts Centre, South Dublin. The symposium is curated by Cathy Coughlan, Dance Artist in Residence at Rua Red, and Ailish Claffey, Dance Artist in Residence at the National Centre for Arts and Health, Tallaght University Hospital.

Topics will include:

• Observing the barriers for men in accessing dance
• Dance as a biopsychosocial model of intervention within situations of isolation
• Cultural shifts – engaging the next generation
• Recognising embodied communication, within a mental health context

This day long symposium will consist of live performances, film, talks, interactive presentations and panel discussions from national and international artists who have made work with, for or about communities of men.

Artists include Cai Tomos (dance artist, psychotherapist and trauma counsellor), Oona Doherty (dance artist), Catherine Young (dance artist and DP activist) , Vukasin Nedeljkovic (visual artist and DP Activist), Matt Szczerek (Director of Dance2Connect), Tobi Omoseto (Director of Top 8) and Tony Fagan (Director of Tallaght Community Arts) with more artists, panelists and specials guests to be announced.

Programme and booking information: www.firstfortnight.ie/events/last-night-a-dj-saved-my-life

This project has received support from The Arts Council (Dance), Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre, South Dublin County Council Arts Office, and the National Centre for Arts and Health, Tallaght University Hospital.

First Fortnight is hosting the European Mental Health Art & Culture Festival in January 2019. This is the first time the festival is coming to Ireland, with the aim of challenging mental health stigma. Over 150 events are taking place across Ireland with representatives from 16 countries across the continent participating. www.firstfortnight.ie