Temporary Sanity: Jamaican Dancehall Culture

Temporary Sanity: the Skerrit Bwoy Story is a film produced by Dan Brun in 2006 as part of his Visual Anthropology Masters at the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology, University of Manchester. The film explores the cultures, gendered performances and political expressions that form part of Jamaican Dance Hall in New York. By following “Skerrit Boy” a Bronx based performer and promoter of Dance Hall music, the film gives an insider’s view into the dancing, history and social roles of Dance Hall clubs in the lives of the Jamaican and Caribbean Diaspora in the United States. The film has won international recognition amongst dance enthusiasts and film makers. Tonight’s screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the RAI’s Education and Communications Officer Nafisa Fera.

Tonight’s event includes a photo and art exhibition illustrating sport, dance and play in diverse landscapes from concrete jungles to remote highlands where people come together to celebrate movement.

* Special Guest*

The RAI is very lucky to have Dr. Lez Henry join us this evening.

Dr. William ‘Lez’ Henry was born in Lewisham, South east London, England of Jamaican Parents and is an experienced youth worker, a poet, writer and is Lezlee Lyrix, one of the pioneer, British, Reggae-dancehall Deejays. Dr. Henry is a Social Anthropologist who lectured in the Department Of Sociology, Goldsmiths College for a number of years. Dr. Henry is a researcher, consultant and staff trainer for Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning by Choice! Dr. Henry is currently a Lead Trainer on the Mayor of London’s Capital Men Mentoring Programme which will train 1000 volunteers to mentor 1000 black boys between 2011 – 2014.

Under Dr Henry’s guidance Nu-Beyond Ltd completed a Heritage Lottery Funded summer school project, 2006, entitled ‘The Tru Reggae Story, a hidden history’ of Reggae Dancehall Culture in London during the 1970s to 1980s. The research project entailed training a group of 15-17 year olds in research and filmmaking techniques, from which they produced a documentary, an interactive CD Rom, a website and an informational booklet, all of which were exhibited at the Black Cultural Archives in London from October 2006 – January 2007.

For more information about Dr. Lez Henry and his work visit http://www.drlez.co.uk

Book your ticket here: http://bodiesinmotiondancehall.eventbrite.com

Tickets: Free for RAI Members and Fellows, £3 Students/Concessions, £5 General Admission

* Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine, refreshments, cheese and crackers.

The Royal Anthropological Institute Presents:
BODIES IN MOTION

A series of evening events and exhibitions that explores the relationship between human movement, space and expression

Place: The RAI, 50 Fitzroy St, London W1T-5BT
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Dates: Friday 13th April, Tuesday 17th April, Wednesday 18th April, Thursday 26th April and Monday 30th April

The way in which we move our bodies can express our multiple identities as well as our social and cultural backgrounds. Whether dancing, walking or playing sports, movement can be an affirmation of society’s norms, a celebration of community cohesion and a vehicle for expressing national and international affiliations. Equally, human movement can be a means of resistance demonstrating social and political unrest or an avenue for innovation and cultural change.

Bodies in Motion, is an initiative that explores the relationship between human movement, space and expression. Using photography, ethnographic film, art and presentations, the project aims to engage the public in exploring the meaning of movement in urban, digital and natural landscapes.

Book your ticket for all events and receive a 20% discount- http://bodiesinmotion.eventbrite.com