IRIE! dance theatre

IRIE! dance theatre The UK's home for African & Caribbean Dance The company was founded in 1985 with the principal aim of heightening the profile of Black dance in Britain. IRIE!

To this end the company created repertory reflective of the African/Caribbean influence on the Black British cultural experience. The company's musical orientations are drawn from African and Caribbean traditional drumming and percussion, Reggae and Ragga, Calypso and Soca. And, since its inception, IRIE! has:

~ Created over 20 dance works for touring nationally and internationally,
~ Worked with thousands of young people in a variety of settings, and
~ Collaborated with and or created partnerships with a diverse range of organisations and institutions offering the value of its expertise and experience. In 1998, IRIE! established and delivered the UK's first and only Diploma in African & Caribbean dance. This full-time accredited training programme was delivered in partnership with City & Islington College and Birbeck University of London. The company no longer offers this Diploma programme but instead now offers a Foundation Degree in Dance which is delivered in partnership with City & Islington College and London Metropolitan University. Students on this programme will have the opportunity to (http://bit.ly/DFDFactsheet) study African, Caribbean, ballet and contemporary dance techniques, get professional input from established dance theatre professionals and progress directly onto the honours year at London Metropolitan University. dance theatre was originally based at well-known community centre and performance venue, The Albany in Deptford. However, in 2006 IRIE! relocated to the newly refurbished Moonshot Centre in New Cross. Moonshot is equipped with two large dance studios, shower and changing rooms, a library and archive space, cafeteria, teaching and meeting rooms among other facilities making it ideal for the delivery of the Dance Foundation Degree programme and other artistic activities. IRIE!’s vision is to make Moonshot an exhilarating and fascinating place for the local community and professional artists to learn about dance, its diverse nature, and how we can all benefit from being involved in dance and dance-related activities.

Music and Movement Medicine is coming! We are delighted to announce the following speakers and facilitators!Dr. Funmi Ad...
01/10/2026

Music and Movement Medicine is coming!

We are delighted to announce the following speakers and facilitators!

Dr. Funmi Adewole Elliot Independent performer, dance researcher and founder of FAE Studios and Enact Arts CIC

Shea Best Artist in Residence and Rehearsal Director, IRIE! dance theatre

Sabrina Dixon CEO and founder of Social Inclusion Recovery Group (SIRG) CIC,

Dr. Souci Frissa CEO Black Thrive Global,

Beverley Glean MBE CEO and Artistic Director, IRIE! dance theatre,

Nii Kwartey Owoo Associate Artistic Director,
IRIE! dance theatre Nii Kwartey Owoo

Dr. ‘H’ Patten MBE Founder/Artistic Director, Koromanti Arts & H Patten Dance Theatre Company.

The day will include:
✨Presentations

✨Interactive performances

✨Opportunities to network and connect, and

✨Information stalls from local groups

Book by Friday 30th October to be eligible for some special offers via the link in bio!

Offers include:
✨ All day event pass + lunch £30
✨All day event pass + lunch + evening performance by IRIE! dance theatre performance company £40
✨IRIE! dance theatre Evening performance alone £15

Thank you to our funders Lewisham Council and Deptford Challenge Trust

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!⏰It’s almost time for our very first Accredited CPD Short Courses to begin and we are so excited!Wi...
22/09/2026

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!⏰

It’s almost time for our very first Accredited CPD Short Courses to begin and we are so excited!

With just 4 weeks to go, it’s time to get your application in - spots are limited and running out!

Quick Reminder! We have 3 courses on offer:

✨Level 1: Intro to African & Caribbean Dance

✨Level 2: Developing African & Caribbean Dance

✨Level 3: Developing Teaching Skills with IRIE! dance theatre

Reach out to us and find out which one is the right fit for you and we’ll see you in 4 WEEKS!

SAVE THE DATE!✨ WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25th, 2026!IRIE! dance theatre presents, Movement & Music Medicine:A whole-day event ...
10/09/2026

SAVE THE DATE!✨ WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25th, 2026!

IRIE! dance theatre presents, Movement & Music Medicine:

A whole-day event exploring the healing and transformative power of rhythm, music and dance of the African diaspora to enhance health, well-being and community resilience.

Book your spot on our website, you don’t want to miss this one!

Congratulations to our fantastic students Deny Ruge Prado and Aemilia Hylton on obtaining their BA in Diverse Dance Styl...
04/09/2026

Congratulations to our fantastic students Deny Ruge Prado and Aemilia Hylton on obtaining their BA in Diverse Dance Styles with First Class honours with IRIE! dance theatre validated by Goldsmiths, University of London.

We could not be prouder, and wish you both the very best in your future endeavours!✨

So what are you waiting for? IRIE!’s MA in Diasporic Dance Styles is ready for YOU!Don’t miss this opportunity to take y...
25/08/2026

So what are you waiting for? IRIE!’s MA in Diasporic Dance Styles is ready for YOU!

Don’t miss this opportunity to take your practice and your artistry to the next level!✨

Applications are closing soon! See you in class!

Where could your practice go if you had the space to question, explore and develop what you already do?IRIE!’s MA in Dia...
17/08/2026

Where could your practice go if you had the space to question, explore and develop what you already do?

IRIE!’s MA in Diasporic Dance Styles brings together professional practice, research, dialogue and lived experience, supporting artists to deepen their work and develop their own direction.

Join a community of practitioners working within and beyond diasporic dance, while gaining postgraduate recognition and new opportunities for professional growth.

Applications are now open!

Curious about our new accredited CPD courses in African & Caribbean dance and music? Here are 5 things to know before yo...
12/08/2026

Curious about our new accredited CPD courses in African & Caribbean dance and music?
Here are 5 things to know before you join!



✨ No previous experience needed!

✨ Learn beyond the movement!

✨ Learn in a flexible, blended environment!

✨ It’s NOT dance training!

✨ Grow your professional AND creative toolkit!

DM us or check out our website for more details - www.iriedancetheatre.org
Register now via the QR Code and we’ll see you in class!

🚨 FINAL CALL — MA DIASPORIC DANCE STYLES 🚨Are you a dance artist-practitioner ready to take your practice further?The MA...
11/08/2026

🚨 FINAL CALL — MA DIASPORIC DANCE STYLES 🚨

Are you a dance artist-practitioner ready to take your practice further?

The MA Diasporic Dance Styles at IRIE! dance theatre offers a unique opportunity to develop your practice, research and career through flexible distance learning, critical dialogue and intensive in-person residencies.

The programme welcomes artists working across diverse dance styles and contexts, with a particular invitation to practitioners working within African and Caribbean diasporic traditions and non-Western dance forms.

Applications are closing soon! This is your final call!

👉 Find out more on our website - www.iriedancetheatre.org

IRIEDance DiverseDanceStyles

Join us for Making Tracks: Road Ready and get ready for Notting Hill Carnival 2026 with our very own Shea Best! 🔥Since t...
06/08/2026

Join us for Making Tracks: Road Ready and get ready for Notting Hill Carnival 2026 with our very own Shea Best! 🔥

Since the 1960s, Notting Hill Carnival has celebrated Caribbean culture, resilience, and community through music, movement, and joy - and we are bringing that same energy to the studio!

Whether you’re hitting the road for the first time or you’re a seasoned masquerader, come catch de vibes, celebrate de culture, and get Road Ready with IRIE! 🇹🇹🌴✨

Nuff vibes! Nuff energy! Nuff wining!

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 Moonshot Centre, London
🎟️ £12

CaribbeanDance LondonDance CarnivalVibes

Address

Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Angus Street, New Cross
London
SE146LU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+442086916099

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