February half term saw the launch of Activates exciting community youth dance project in Portland – a collaboration of three youth dance groups from Portland, Weymouth and Wyke Regis working with choreographer Carly Reader and Creative Producer Lorna Rees. Activate welcome students from Royal Manor Arts College, Wyke Youth Dance and G.WELL.C Dance Crew to the project.

The project (working title: High Angle Battery performance project) is the start of a creative journey to create a site specific installation – combining choreography, soundscapes and artwork – at the inspirational High Angle Batteries, Portland.

The High Angle Battery is a derelict fort built in 1892. The battery was built as part of Britain's Coastal Defences and is located in a disused Portland Stone quarry at the northern end of the island. On 27th July 2012 the site will come alive with approx 30 local young dancers (age 11-23), an art installation and an original sound score directed by James Price. This performance will be part of the Battle For the Winds Programme to mark the opening celebrations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events.

These photographs, taken by Project Coordinator Alice Chutter, mark the very beginning of the creative process. Following a morning’s creative workshop in the nearby Brackenbury Centre the group took a walk to the site for the first time. You can see the dancers exploring the sites unique landscape on the afternoon of day 1 which will be further developed on day 2 of the residency and at subsequent rehearsals leading up to the performance in July.

For more information about this project or if you are interested to get involved please contact Activate on info@activateperformingarts.org.uk.