Dance company targets additional income from new facilities
A BIRMINGHAM-based professional dance company is targeting increased revenue after refurbishing its studio space.
Ace Dance & Music plans to operate its dance studio and performance venue in Digbeth as a multi-purpose space. This will allow the company to expand and improve its existing programme, while securing additional trading income from hires and space rentals.
The company said the refurbishment was an important addition to Birmingham’s growing stock of high-spec rehearsal spaces and venues.
It is hosting a launch event at the Floodgate Street venue today (May 14) for people to come and inspect the studio should they require such facilities.
Founded in 1996, Ace, Dance & Music, combines African and Caribbean movement aesthetics with contemporary techniques, to create 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 within the innovative Digbeth community, offering an extensive and inclusive outreach programme, taster sessions and creative workshops to schools and colleges.
Founder and Artistic Director, Gail Parmel, said: “After several years of dedicated fundraising, we have managed to achieve our goal to build a multi-purpose 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 and we know it will be a fantastic place for dance, music and theatre practitioners to work, learn, rehearse, perform, and network.”
Ace, Dance & Music’s current facilities have already attracted some of the UK’s most high-profile dance companies to Digbeth. 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.
