News

January 2025: Jaivant Patel Company shortlisted for One Dance Uk Awards 2024 in the ‘Artistic Innovation in Dance’ category. 

Excited that Jaivant Patel Company has been shortlisted for One Dance UK Awards 2024 in the 'Artistic Innovation In Dance' category!

Click here to read more.

December 2024: Artistic Director Jaivant Patel attends Serendipity Arts Festival and Natya Kala Conference.

As 2024 draws to a close, our Artistic Director, Jaivant Patel has had a great time attending Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa and Natya Kala Conference in Chennai.

October 2024: PRAVĀS BLACK COUNTRY DOCUMENTARY PUBLICLY RELEASED.

Jaivant Patel Company is pleased to publicly release the documentary for our Pravās: The Story of Gujarati Migration & The Black Country (1950-1990) heritage project.

Dedicated to those hailing from Gujarat, settling in the UK and those who are no longer with us Pravās tells the powerful and inspiring story of Gujarati Migration to the Black Country using memories collected from first- and second-generation elders and their families.

The first generation of Gujarati migrants were pioneers creating new communities and enriching the places they settled in, but their experiences have not been recorded or acknowledged in the mainstream local history world and timing is not crucial. Without this project this important aspect of the history of the Black Country will be lost totally.

Their history has shown how culture both retains its distinctiveness through migrations around the world but also adapts to the circumstances people find themselves in. The Gujarati communities brought a unique form of their culture to the UK, that became imbedded in and contributed to the British South Asian Culture we experience today.

This project is supported by Heritage Lottery Fund

#PravasBC

Please click here to view full documentary:

September 2024: Jaivant Patel Company awarded Achates Community Bursary.

We are thrilled to announce that Jaivant Patel Company has been awarded an Achates Community Bursary.

Achates Community is the new digital platform from cultural consultancy, Achates, offering support and learning, leadership development and community space for income generation professionals in the sector.

To find out more about the Bursary programme click here

To find out more about the Achates Community click here

August 2024: Jaivant Patel Company’s HLF Pravās Black Country project reflection

As Jaivant Patel Company nears the completion of our Pravās Black Country project, we just wanted to reflect on and highlight how successfully we have engaged, reached and created participation opportunities for our audiences in the following ways.

To date:

• 14.630 people have experienced our Virāsat exhibition featuring Pravās at Wolverhampton Art Gallery between April and June 2024.

• 1047 people have watched an in-person screening of our Pravās Documentary.

• 223 families have participated in our craft workshops inspired by Pravās.

• 70 local community groups have engaged with our Pravās project.

• Engaged over 49 freelancers to work across our Pravās project.

• 261 local schools have engaged and participated in all aspects of our Pravās project.

• Carried out 13 oral histories from members of the local Gujarati community for Pravās.

• Carried out 25 vox-pops with members of the local Gujarati community for Pravās.

• 1153 attended Black Country Living Museum on the day of our Pravās Takeover.

Pravās Black Country is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Jaivant Patel Company is a National Portfolio Organisation for Arts Council England.

August 2024: Jaivant Patel Company and Kala Sangam are delighted to announce the second recipient of the Samānatā: South Asian Queer Performance Seed Commissions for 2024

Jaivant Patel Company and Kala Sangam are delighted to announce Raimu Itfum as the second recipient of the Samānatā South Asian Queer Performance Seed Commission for 2024.

Raimu will receive £2800 along with studio time at Kala Sangam and mentoring with Jaivant Patel to support the development of his project

Raimu will be developing a theatrical piece exploring duality of hypersexuality through a Modern South Asian Queer lens.

A sharing of work will take place in 2025.

Jaivant Patel, Artistic Director of Jaivant Patel Company said,

'The work of Jaivant Patel Company has been unique on the UK cultural landscape in the amplification of South Asian Queer narratives. It has always been of importance for JPCo to lift other LGBTQIA + artists and to create space truly reflective in the representation of South Asian Queer voices. This is about creating much needed change for opportunity in the sector and placing investment on marginalised artists'

Alex Corwin, Marketing and Programme Manager at Kala Sangam said, 'We are really excited to be supporting Raimu to develop his bold, provocative and authentic work. Although Queer South Asian Voices are still really unrepresented across the creative sector, the applications we have received for this round of the Samānatā Commission show the depth and range of stories that need to be told’.

May 2024: Jaivant Patel Company wins The Eastern Eye ACTA Award in Dance 2024 for Waltzing The Blue Gods

Jaivant Patel Company won The Eastern Eye ACTA Award in Dance 2024 for ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’- a Kathak production through a Queer South Asian lens featuring live music!

JPCo would like to thank and acknowledge our creative team, collaborators, funders, seed commissioners, advocates, audiences and most of all the LGBTQIA+ community!

Congratulations to Seeta Patel and Aakash Odedra Company who were also finalists in the category for ‘Rite of Spring’ and “Mahek’ respectively.

Thank you to the Eastern Eye for the recognition and for spearheading the only British- South Asian specific awards for Arts, Culture and Theatre!

May 2024: Jaivant Patel Company attended a special garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Creative Industries.

Jaivant Patel Company’s Artistic Director, Jaivant Patel and Assistant Producer Veniece Patel represented Jaivant Patel Company today at Buckingham Palace for a special garden party celebrating the Creative Industries.

March 2024: Jaivant Patel Company’s Virāsat Exhibition opening in Wolverhampton

Jaivant Patel Company is pleased to announce the opening of our latest exhibition entitled Virāsat exhibition at Wolverhampton art gallery from Saturday the 30th of March and running through to the 16th of June 2024.

Virāsat meaning legacy or inheritance, delves into the heritage of British South Asian migration, diasporic culture and lived experience between 1950 and 2000.

Curated by Jaivant Patel Company, Virāsat merges two projects to amplify British South Asian representation in oral histories rooted in Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

Nritya Black Country explores the untold stories if the development of Indian Dance in the Black Country between 1960 and 2000 and Pravās Black Country exposes the Gujarati migration collected from first- and second-generation families between 1950 and 1990.

This exhibition is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is free to attend.

February 2024: Jaivant Patel Company works on an international collaboration with Kamal Gandhar

Jaivant Patel Company’s Artistic Director, Jaivant Patel was recently in Kolkata, India working on an international collaboration with Komal Gandhar as part of an Arts & Humanities Research Council (ARHC) supported project led by Royal Holloway University around South Asian Dance Equity (SADE)

Komal Gandhar are a collective of cis and transgender activists working on women’s and LGBTQ rights, sexual labour rights and children’s rights and education. They were finalists in season 8 of India’s Got Talent!

December 2023 – Jaivant Patel Dance  part of official delegation at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023

Jaivant Patel Company is really pleased to announce selection for UK delegation at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 in Goa.

Serendipity Arts Festival is an organisation dedicated to fostering diverse cultural expressions and supporting emerging artists.

SEPTEMBER 2023: Jaivant Patel Company and Kala Sangam are delighted to announce the first recipients of the Samānatā: South Asian Queer Performance Seed Commissions for 2023

Jaivant Patel Company and Kala Sangam are delighted to announce the first recipients of the Samānatā: South Asian Queer Performance Seed Commissions for 2023 are Nikhita Devi and Mithun Gill.

Both Nikhita and Mithun will each receive £1250 along with a week of studio time and mentoring to develop their projects.

Nikhita will be working on I, Honeypot. A unique solo work blending Odissi with Burlesque and clowning, that expresses the pressures of tradition and the joy of freedom of expression.

We look forward to the sharing of work in early 2024.

Mithun will be developing Moses, to explore grief and loss following the suicide of his close friend.

A sharing of both works will take place in early 2024.

Jaivant Patel, Artistic Director of Jaivant Patel Company said, 'The work of Jaivant Patel Company has been unique on the UK cultural landscape in the amplification of South Asian Queer narratives. It has always been of importance for JPCo to lift other LGBTQIA+ artists and to create space truly reflective in the representation of South Asian Queer voices. This is about creating much needed change for opportunity in the sector and placing investment in marginalised artists.

Alex Corwin, Marketing and Programme Manager at Kala Sangam said, 'Queer South Asian voices are still really underrepresented in the creative sector, so it was great to receive so many applications for the Samānatā commission from artists working across a range of artforms and representing many different aspects of the queer community. We are really excited to work with Nikhita and Mithun to develop their ideas and help them create authentic work that centres the South Asian Queer experience’.

JUNE 2023: Samarpan Mahotsav 2023, Celebrating Queer Voices in Indian Classical Dance and Live Music

Last Saturday (24th June 2023) was somewhat of a historic moment for Jaivant Patel Company and the British South Asian scene in important LGBTQIA+ representation it was able to bring together for Samarpan Mahotsav 2023: Celebrating Queer Voices in Indian Classical Dance and Music at Arena Theatre (Wolverhampton)

LGBTQIA+ Identifying artists Raaheel Husain (Sitar/Vocal), Nikhita Devi (Odissi) and Shyam Dattani (Kathak) performed as part of the evening, placing the emphasis of queer identity, artistic practice and lived experience.

Jaivant Patel Company Artistic director, Jaivant Patel said ‘until now there has never been a UK platform that has celebrated Queer identity within the genre of Indian classical dance and music in this way. This evening was a vision we’ve long dreamed upon for alternate voices to be amplified and for brand new possibilities to be explored. I thank the artists involved for their generosity and solidarity in enabling this milestone evening to take place’

March 2023: Jaivant Patel Company marks 15th Anniversary and celebrates joining Arts council England’s National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) for the 2023-26 period.

On Friday 10th March 2023, Jaivant Patel Company marked its 15th Anniversary and celebrated joining Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) for the 2023-2026 period with our funders, collaborators, advocates and friends at the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton.

It was indeed a special evening that saw us launching our new branding reflective of our artistic vision, ethos and future ambitions, a showcase of our continuing legacy and revealing some of our programmes over the coming year.

Thank you to all those who attend and supported Jaivant Patel Company

Image courtesy of Jonathan Hipkiss

March 2023: Jaivant Patel Dance is rebranding to Jaivant Patel Company (JPCo)

Following the recent announcement that Jaivant Patel Dance will join Arts Council Englands’s National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) during the period 2023-26, we are excited to reveal the rebrand of the organisation. Jaivant Patel Dance will now be formally known as Jaivant Patel Company (JPCo).

As Jaivant Patel Dance, we have always worked with cross-art forms in our programme strands to include genres such as Indian classical music, spoken word, visual arts and film. Therefore, rebranding to Jaivant Patel Company will be more reflective of our artistic vision, ethos and future ambitions. The work we produce, develop and platform will continue to push the boundaries of South Asian arts and culture, with a focus on dance.

We are pleased to share with you our new logo and values: JOYFUL, REIMAGINE, BOLD.

In the coming months you will see some changes to our website, social media handles, PR and marketing.

Thank you to all our funders, collaborators, advocates, and audiences for your continued support. We are excited to take you with us on this new journey from our Wolverhampton base in the Black Country.

February 2023: Jaivant Patel Dance finalist for Eastern Eye ACTA Award for Dance 2023

What better way to start #LGBTQIAHistoryMonth then to announce Jaivant Patel Dance is a finalist for the Eastern Eye ACTA Award for Dance 2023 for ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’, a new Kathak dance-theatre production through a Queer South Asian lens featuring live music.

This is the second year running that Jaivant Patel Dance has been a finalist for these awards in the dance category and that too for works amplifying Queer South Asian narratives!

Congrats also to our fellow dance peers and category finalists Urja Thakore for ‘Kattam Katti’ & Subathra Subramaniam for ‘Plastic Drastic Fantastic’

These Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards by Eastern Eye are currently the only mainstream awards in the UK recognising the very best of South Asian talent in the arts and creative industries.

November 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance announced as one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation for the 2023-26 period.

Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce we will join Arts Council Englands’s National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) during the period 2023-2026. We are very grateful to Arts Council England for the recognition of our contribution to the UK cultural landscape from our Wolverhampton base and their investment in a diverse led South Asian Arts organisation.

For further information from Arts Council England on its National Portfolio Investment 2023-26 please click on the link here.

August 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance performs at Edinburgh Fringe at a British Council Stakeholder’s Event.

Jaivant Patel Dance would like to thank Trigger for inviting Jaivant Patel Dance and collaborators Sanyogita Kumari, Talking Tabla and Alec Cooper to perform for a stakeholder’s event at Edinburgh Fringe with British Council ahead of PoliNations taking place as part of Birmingham2022!

Thank you Riffat Aliani and YBQ (Yousuf Bashir Qureshi) for your beautiful custom-made costumes!

August 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance selected to represent Dance from England delegation at Internationale Tanzmesse nrw 2022

Jaivant Patel Dance is really pleased to announce our selection to represent Dance From England delegation at Internationale Tanzmesse nrw 2022.

Internationale Tanzmesse nrw, is the world’s largest showcase of contemporary dance taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany.

As part of FABRIC’s (previously Dance4) continued international showcasing work, and alongside partners The Work Room, Scotland & National Dance Company of Wales we will co-ordinate a UK presence at Internationale Tanzmesse nrw 2022.

For more information click here.

May 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance officially launched Pravās: The Story of Gujarati Migration & The Black Country 1950-1990.

Last night Jaivant Patel Dance officially launched Pravās: The Story of Gujarati Migration & The Black Country 1950-1990 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Here we are with our speakers from the evening including Madiha Majid from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Carol King from The Black Country Living Museum, Balvant Patel from Bilston Hindu Samaj and The Mayor of Wolverhampton.

The launch also included local poet Carishma Patel reading a poem commissioned by Jaivant Patel Dance for this project. The launch also included performances developed from Jaivant Patel Dance’s community arts programme.

Pravās Black Country is supported by National Heritage Lottery Heritage Fund with partners including The Black Country Living Museum.

Thank you to all that attended!

April 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance, ‘I Am Your Skin’ selected for inaugural Wolverhampton Film Festival

On  International Dance Day 2022, Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce our dance short ‘I Am Your Skin’ has been selected for the, taking place over 3 days from 29th April to the 1st of May 2022 at The Light House Cinema and Café Bar.

‘I Am Your Skin’ will be showcased on day two of the festival.

‘I Am Your Skin’ challenges perceptions of gender and questions how we frame sexuality.

‘I Am Your Skin’ was commissioned by Akadmei for their inaugural 2021 South Asian Dance film Festival, with creative direction by Jaivant Patel, words by Ali Harwood and video production by Matt Cawrey.

March 2022: New Office Base for Jaivant Patel Dance at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

It’s official, Jaivant Patel Dance has today moved to a new base at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Exciting times ahead, full of brilliant potential opportunities for the organisation as it continues to contribute to the valuable creative dialogue happening in the city, wider Black Country and beyond!

January 2022: Jaivant Patel Dance Announced As Associate Company of Kala Sangam!

Kala Sangam announces trio of exciting, diverse Associate companies.

Kala Sangam, Bradford’s arts centre, has unveiled Company of others, Jaivant Patel Dance and Mobius Dance as the organisation’s first ever Associate Companies. These three diverse margining companies create innovative and exciting dance and performance work across a spectrum of styles, and their position as Associate Companies will see each of them returning regularly to the city to create, engage communities and present work.

Recognising the need to provide more than just financial support to help create change and diversify the arts sector, Kala Sangam will work with the Associate Companies in a more holistic way. As well as a commitment to programming their work, practical support in the form of regular rehearsal space, organisational development support and the opportunity to access training opportunities will be provided to each company. The companies will also be given space and support to build relationships with each other as well as other creatives and organisations across Bradford district.

Support for Associate Companies begins this week, with Jaivant Patel Dance in residence at Kala Sangam to continue the creation of Waltzing The Blue Gods.

 Alex Croft, Kala Sangam's Creative Director, said, 'One of our key aims at Kala Sangam is to support the development of high quality, diverse dance, and I can think of no better way of us doing this than welcoming Company of Others, Jaivant Patel Dance and Mobius Dance as Associate Companies. Led by three of the most exciting, dynamic artistic leaders in the country, each of these companies create work that we think is hugely relevant to Bradford's multicultural audiences. I can't wait to continue our support for all three on their exciting journey ahead.’

A leading voice in Queer South Asian narratives on the UK dance scene and global cultural landscape Jaivant Patel

Dance is based in Wolverhampton and blends and incorporates Kathak into a creative practice to compliment a contemporary dance background. Following the success of ground-breaking and award-nominated show YAATRA, Jaivant Patel Dance's new work, Waltzing the Blue Gods will preview at Kala Sangam in Autumn 2022.

Jaivant Patel said, 'Jaivant Patel Dance is honoured at the invitation to be an Associate Company of Kala Sangam from 2022 onwards. There has always been a real sense of value and artistic integrity in the relationship that has continued to grow between our organisations.

This next step of furthering that investment in an associateship that holistically builds on our shared ambitions for meaningful British-South Asian representation on the UK cultural landscape; will support the embedding of placemaking for JPD in the North of England in addition to its home in The Black Country.

As a seed commissioner, KS previewed our ground-breaking dance theatre production YAATRA in 2019 and will also preview our new work Waltzing The Blue Gods in 2022.

For more information click here.

November 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce our new heritage project:

PRAVĀS- GUJARATI MIGRATION & THE BLACK COUNTRY 1950-1990

Pravās, will tell the powerful and inspiring story of Gujarati migration to the Black Country using memories collected form first- and second-generation elders, and their families.

Pravās (meaning emigrate) builds on Jaivant Patel Dance’s previous successful NLHF project Nritya – Collecting the story of Indian Dance in the Black Country 1960 – 2000; after which we identified the urgent need to collect the largely unwritten and unrecorded wider history of the celebration of culture of Gujarati communities in the Black Country.

The first generation of Gujarati migrants were pioneers creating new communities and enriching the places they settled in, but their experiences have not been recorded or acknowledged in the mainstream local history world and timing is not crucial. Without this project this important aspect of the history of the Black Country will be lost totally.

Their history has shown how culture both retains its distinctiveness through migrations around the world but also adapts to the circumstances people find themselves in. The Gujarati communities brought a unique form of their culture to the UK, that became imbedded in and contributed to the British South Asian Culture we experience today.

Pravās is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Project partners include: The Black Country Living Museum, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Arena Theatre and various Gujarati Community Associations across The Black Country.

MAY 2021: Virtual Nritya Black Country (1960-2000) Exhibition Launched.

Jaivant Patel Dance launches in Partnership with Wolverhampton Art Gallery and University of Wolverhampton, a virtual 3D tour of Nritya Black Country.

We are excited for this to be the first launched online virtual tour of an exhibition for Jaivant Patel Dance.

Click here to visit the online exhibition.

'Virtual: Nritya Black Country' is part of Jaivant Patel Dance's programme marking the company's 15th Anniversary in 2021.

The exhibits on show allow online visitors to discover the interwoven threads, connecting place, people and cultural heritage - and look to the future with contemporary artists reinventing Indian dance.

Alongside this virtual exhibition, you can also view our documentary featuring some the regional pioneers and members of the local community. Their work embedded an appreciation of Indian dance into the wider cultural fabric of the country, connecting people through the global culture of Indian dance.

Nrtiya Black Country was made possible through the generous support of National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Nritya Black Country exhibition was open to the public at Wolverhampton Art Gallery from 19th September to 20th December 2021.

MARCH 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance invited to showcase work in the presence of UK’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden at Grand Theatre Wolverhampton.

On Monday 29th March 2021, Jaivant Patel Dance was invited by the Grand Theatre Wolverhampton to showcase the work being developed in partnership with local artists in relation to the venue’s Culture Recovery Fund success. JPD workshopped an extract from a piece in development with Peter Chand for Dementia Cafe in the presence of UK’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and representatives from The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Also present were the celebrity singer Beverley Knight and renowned ex-Wolves football player Steve Bull.

Click here for the DCMS promo on social media featuring Jaivant Patel Dance.

Click here for the Express & Star coverage mentioning Jaivant Patel Dance.

FEBRUARY 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance in conversation with NSCD Principal Sharon Watson for ‘Northern Roots’ podcast series to mark LGBTQ+ History Month.

Jaivant Patel Dance was invited by Northern School Of Contemporary Dance as alumni for a conversation with principal Sharon Watson, as part of their ‘Northern Roots’ podcast series.

Artistic Director Jaivant Patel talks about the work of the company in exploring South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives to mark LGBTQ+ History Month 2021.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

FEBRUARY 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance receives new commission for Akademi’s South Asian Dance On Screen Festival 2021.

Jaivant Patel Dance is one of the recipients of Akademi’s new commissioned short original screen dance works.

The piece is entitled ‘I Am Your Skin’ and Jaivant Patel Dance will be collaborating with Matthew Cawrey and Ali Harwood.

The aim of these commissions is to increase the presence of South Asian dance in dance film festivals. This commission will premiere at Akademi’s online South Asian Dance On Screen Festival taking place on 18th to 19th March 2021.

#ADFF2021

Click here for further details.

JANUARY 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance’s YAATRA finalist in Eastern Eye’s ACTA Award for Dance 2020.

Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce our recent ground-breaking production YAATRA, is a finalist in Eastern Eye’s Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTA) for Dance 2020.

YAATRA, is the first UK dance theatre production of its kind, amplifying South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives. To receive recognition of this kind as part of the UK’s only current South Asian Arts Awards is an incredibly important milestone and acknowledgment for South Asian LGBTQ+ voices and community. – Jaivant Patel, JPD Artistic Director.

Jaivant Patel Dance would like to thank all the creative team and partners involved in the success of YAATRA. We also would like to thank the audience who attended our performances during the national tour.

The awards were due to take place last year, but due to current pandemic were postponed. The awards ceremony will now take place virtually on Friday 12th February 2021 at 6pm. Click here to register and watch the awards ceremony. 

JANUARY 2021: Jaivant Patel Dance celebrates its 15th Anniversary!

Jaivant Patel Dance reaches an important milestone in 2021, when the award-winning independent arts organisation celebrates is fifteenth anniversary.

Our many achievements during these 15 years include: *Award-nominated 'YAATRA', the first UK dance theatre production of its kind amplifying South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives. *Curating 'Nritya Black Country' exhibition and archive, recording the story of South Asian Dance in The Black Country (1960-2000). *Being awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service for services to dance. *Becoming Associate Artist at Arena Theatre and Midlands Arts Centre. *JPD Artistic Director named on Akademi 's powerlist of '40 under 40' South Asian Dance artists to look out for in the UK. *Faithfully platforming South Asian arts professionals and nurturing emerging and community artists/groups for curated programmes including Tiranga, Holi - Basant Ke Rang, Samarpan Mahotsav, Diwali Utsav and Deepavali curations across the West Midlands. *Incorporation of JPD including recruiting a board of trustees and critical friends.

“I never would have imagined JPD would be celebrating 15 years in 2021 from our humble beginnings and start in 2006. The loyalty of our audiences and participants, who continue to support and believe in our artistic vision has been integral to the success and reach of the work that the organisation delivers. Thank you to all our partners past and present, and a special mention to Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund for their ongoing investment in JPD. Here’s to another 15 years as we look forward to continuing building a future and legacy with our community.” -Jaivant Patel, JPD Artistic Director.

Thank you to all our supporters, partners, and funders, without whom Jaivant Patel Dance would not exist.

We are pleased to release a commemorative logo marking this special occasion, as we continue to build our legacy and passion for British South Asian Arts and Dance in The Black Country and beyond.

Look out for our celebratory logo which will be used in our upcoming programme for the rest of this year.

#JPD15Years

Logo Design: Boneshaker Photography.

DECEMBER 2020: MAC commissions Associate Artist, Jaivant Patel Dance for ‘It Gets Lighter From Here’ initiative.

Midlands Arts Centre commissions Associate Artist, Jaivant Patel Dance to create 'Jagmag Diye Jalao' for #ItGetsLighterFromHere, an initiative coordinated by Culture Central. The translation of the title for this piece has been interpreted as 'fill all the corners of the universe with luminous light'.

The 60-second short was filmed in MAC’s new pocket garden and is the first artistic activity to take place in the space.

‘It Gets Lighter From Here’ is a collaborative, cultural experience from the West Midlands Culture Response Unit (WMCRU) – a virtual day of hope and positivity, showcasing a collection of 60-second films from organisations across the region.

Curated to mark the event of the Winter Solstice on 21st December, the purpose of ‘It Gets Lighter From Here’ is to provide moments of happiness and hope during what has been an incredibly challenging and unprecedented time for the industry – before it does, quite literally, start to get lighter.

Creative direction for the film is by Jaivant Patel, featuring vocals by Sanyogita Kumari, filmed and edited by Jamie Harley.

Please click here to view the short film.

NOVEMBER 2020: Kala Sangam invites Jaivant Patel Dance for ‘Back To Studio’ residency in 2021

Kala Sangam has invited Jaivant Patel Dance to be apart of their recently announced 'back to the studio' residency as 1 of 10 companies the organisation already has an existing relationship with.

This residency will contribute towards the research and development for ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’, a new Kathak production through a South Asian Queer lens.

Please click here for more information.

OCTOBER 2020: Research & Development of ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods', a new Kathak production through a South Asian Queer lens.

Following the recent successful national tour of YAATRA, Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce it has received support from Arts Council England towards the research and development for ‘Waltzing The Blue Gods’, a new Kathak production through a South Asian Queer lens.

The new evening bill will include a choreographic commissioned work by Urja Desai Thakore and second piece of self-choreographed work by Jaivant Patel with live music.

Jaivant Patel is grateful for the opportunity to further deepen an understanding of Kathak in a continued desire to assimilate the form in existing artistic and creative practice, that compliments a contemporary dance background.

This new bill of work has been seed commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre & Arena Theatre

This phase of activity will continue Jaivant Patel Dance’s working relationship with Spin Arts.

Support-In-Kind partners include GemArts, Akademi, Kala Sangam & Black Country Touring.

#JPDWaltzingBlueGods

OCTOBER 2020: South Asian LGBTQ+ UK Performing Artists Survey Launched.

Jaivant Patel Dance in partnership with Kala Sangam have launched an anonymous national survey for UK-based performing artists of South Asian heritage who identify as LGBTQ+ and have created work, are currently developing work or have desire to do so in future, around South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives.

Click here to complete the anonymous survey.

The survey explores demand for work exploring South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives and responses will be used to help put forward the case for further investment in programming and developing artists from this marginalised and often underrepresented section of the South Asian community.

The survey came about as the result of a conversation that look place at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in September 2019 with a small group of South Asian LGBTQ+ dance artists, where it was clear that the needs, ideas and talents of artists from the South Asian LGBTQ+ community were being misunderstood or ignored and should be acknowledged.

We are encouraging all performing artists working as Actors, Dancer/Choreographers, Singers, Musicians, Directors and Playwrights etc to complete survey and to help spread the word to others who would be able to make important contribution to these important conversations.

The survey is open from 1st October until 13th November and should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

The data will be shared by JPD and Kala Sangam and will be anonymous

SEPTEMBER 2020: Photographer Ming De Nasty releases an image of Jaivant Patel Dance for TAG 2 (masc) exhibit.

An image was released from a series of shots taken of Jaivant Patel Dance by award-winning photographer Ming De Nasty, on the steps leading to St Peter's Church that feature Lady Wulfruna's statue in Wolverhampton.

A portrait from the series will feature in TAG 2 (masc), an exhibit as part of Shout Festival 2020.

TAG 2 is a series of photographic portraits of queer identifying men from The West Midlands that reflects on how they self identify and the impact of labels on their every day lives.

Please click here to read more about this project.

SEPTEMBER 2020: Nritya Black Country Documentary released for public viewing.

Connecting People Through the Global Culture and Heritage of Indian Dance: This documentary is part of an exhibition curated by Jaivant Patel Dance that shares stories, memories, photographs, films and objects collected from some of the pioneer dancers, teachers, choreographers and members of the local community. The items gathered allow visitors to discover the interwoven threads, connecting place, people and cultural heritage - and look to the future with contemporary artists reinventing Indian dance.

This project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

#NrityaBC

Please click here to view the full documentary on our YouTube channel.

SEPTEMBER 2020: Nritya Black Country exhibition, curated by Jaivant Patel Dance opens at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

The Nritya Black Country exhibition is now open to the public and is showing at Wolverhampton Art Gallery from 19th September to 20th December 2020.

The exhibition curated by Jaivant Patel Dance, shares stories, memories, photographs, films and objects collected from some of the pioneer dancers, teachers, choreographers and members of the local community.

This project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

#NrityaBC

Please click here for further information.

JUNE 2020: Jaivant Patel Dance becomes a signatory of the National Freelance Taskforce in partnership with Fuel Theatre.

Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce it is one of 138 organisations across the UK, working in partnership with Fuel Theatre to create the National #FreelanceTaskForce. 

The group, which have each appointed and sponsored freelancers from across the UK arts scene, will work to amplify the voices of the self-employed about the future of theatre and performance right now.

The aim of task force is to strengthen the influence of the self-employed theatre and performance community. It will create ongoing points of connection between freelancers, organisations, funders, and government in the conversations to come, about how we manage the response to and recovery from the Covid-19 crisis in the performing arts sector.

All of the partnership organisations are joint signatories of an open letter to theatre and performance makers:

Please click here for the open letter.

MAY 2020: Jaivant Patel Dance awarded Arts Council Emergency Funding for Organisations (Non-NPO).

Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce it has been awarded emergency funding by Arts Council England to support the organisation’s sustainability and resilience during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Jaivant Patel Dance is grateful to the support of Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

JANUARY 2020: Jaivant Patel Dance invited to be an ambassador for Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jaivant Patel Dance was invited by Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton to become an ambassador.

The role of an ambassador will see an identified group of influential South Asian professionals working in Wolverhampton to support Grand Theatre in developing it’s South Asian and diverse audiences, developing its programming and building of local/regional partnerships.

The success of this ambassadors group has seen increased South Asian Audiences by approx. 20%

Click here for further information.

NOVEMBER 2019: Jaivant Patel Dance named on Akademi’s ‘40 Under 40’ Powerlist.

As part of Akademi’s 40th anniversary, the organisation released a powerlist of ‘40 Under 40’ promising South Asian dance artists to look out for in the UK which included Jaivant Patel Dance.

Please click here for full announcement.

AUGUST 2019: Jaivant Patel Dance selected for British Council’s Artist Development Programme 2019 at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

British Council has announced Jaivant Patel Dance as one of 8 artists nationally invited to participate in their Artist Development Programme for Edinburgh Fringe 2019.

The selected artists will have special access to the Edinburgh Showcase, the platform of UK performance for an audience of international promoters, and develop international contacts.

Please click here for full announcement.

JANUARY 2019: YAATRA Tour Dates announced for 2019.

Jaivant Patel Dance is pleased to announce the 2019 tour dates and venues for YAATRA, a bill of Kathak and contemporary dance, championing the rich possibilities of work rooted in South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives.

Venues for the 2019 YAATRA tour include:

*2nd May 2019, Kala Sangam
*16th July 2019, Blue Elephant Theatre *17th October 2019, Tara Arts
*13th November 2019, Midlands Arts Centre
*23rd November 2019, Arena Theatre
*28th November 2019, Déda Derby

Note the performances at Kala Sangam and Blue Elephant Theatre are previews.

NOVEMBER 2018: ASSOCIATE ARTIST, MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE.

Javiant Patel was announced as the new Associate Artist of Midlands Arts Centre in November 2018 alongside Johnny Autin.

Chief Executive and Artistic Director of MAC, Deborah Kermode says: “We’re proud to further MAC’s longstanding legacy of supporting artists to excel and find their own unique voice. We’re delighted to build on our relationships with Johnny Autin and Jaivant Patel - we hope that this association will support them as they continue to evolve in their professional journeys and produce topical, outstanding work.”

Recently voted the Most Visited Free Attraction in the West Midlands, MAC presents an extensive range of dance, theatre, literature, music, comedy, film, visual arts and digital arts created by regional, national and international artists. Its central mission is to make the arts an important part of people’s lives.

Midlands Arts Centre has been working closely with Johnny and Jaivant during the lead-up to this new partnership.

Please click here for the full announcement.

OCTOBER 2017: ASSOCIATE ARTIST, ARENA THEATRE.

Jaivant Patel was announced as the first Associate Artist of Arena Theatre in October 2017. Jaivant has been a cultural producer for sell-out shows at the venue since 2015, in turn diversifying the theatre’s audience and providing a platform to welcome patrons who had not attended shows previously.

His annual celebrations for the Indian festivals of Diwali and Holi, in particular, have become a firm favourite with local communities in The Black Country.  As part of ArtFest 2017 & 2018, Jaivant also produced the highly successful Samarpan event, an evening that celebrated Indian classical dance in the UK.

Neil Reading, Arena Theatre Manager, said: "We have been working with Jaivant for the past four years and felt it was time to recognise his commitment and support of the venue. Alongside the theatre patrons we felt it appropriate to give Jaivant the title of Associate Artist to recognise our commitment to Jaivant Patel Dance and to support South Asian Dance as part of our programming policy at the Arena Theatre."

Jaivant Patel has worked with and programmed many reputable and emerging artists and groups both nationally and internationally for these shows including: Bollywood Dreams Dance, Rishii Chowdhury, Gabhru Panjab De, Nahid Siddiqui & Company, Vidya Patel, Swati Dance Company, Peter Chand, Pagrav Dance Company, Enter Edem, Nachda Sansaar, Chitraleka Dance Company, Nupur Arts Academy, Sujata Bannerjee Dance Company, Adaa, Giddha Sansaar, Desi Nach, Oddisi Movement Collective, Nrtiyasha, Yuva Gati, Shyam Dattani, Sonia Sabri Company, Aaja Nachle Let's Dance, Vinod Nair to name a few.

Please click here for the full announcement.