STRUT // Seedhill
MHz present
in association with Feral:
STRUT
OUTDOOR DANCE PERFORMANCE SEEDHIL
SUN 20th MARCH (7pm – 8pm)
STRUT was a night time outdoor performance and mobile projection parade featuring 5 local dancers who performed their own personal dance styles of Northern Soul, Hip Hop, Afro house and Contemporary
STRUT is designed for local residents to watch from windows, doorsteps and pavements.
SEEDHILL dancers where:
Rudy Mbunzama, Caitlin Bonnar, Tommy Codona, Ashton Bradley and Alannah Danielle Sutherland
STRUT is delivered in association with the EVOLVE project led by RIG Arts in partnership with OneRen, Williamsburgh Housing Association; and Feral Arts.
Part of Culture Collective Scotland. Funded by Creative Scotland.
AFTER FILM
40 sec trailer
8 min
Filmed and edited by Mhz
Documentation from Seedhill (Pictures by Brain Hartley)
“Strut created an electric atmosphere on the street and I felt lucky to be in the audience. The dancers and the projections gave us a carnival experience as the sunset on seed hill. We left buzzing , it felt like the start of summer”
Promo shots by Nicola Stead
Dancer Biographies
ALANNAH
Alannah Danielle Sutherland is 12 years old and goes to Elma Whyte Performing Arts School. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old and practices 6 different styles of dance including ballet, tap, modern, jazz, commercial/hip hop and contemporary.
Alannah says: “I love to dance because I feel great when I’m dancing and it really expresses who I am. My favourite hobby is dance because it is so fun and you can just be yourself.”
TOMMY
Tommy Codona (62) has been dancing since 1976 when he discovered that he had a natural talent. It has been his main hobby and pastime ever since. Traveling across travel the UK to attend events where he can indulge his passion for dance. He primarily dances “Northern Soul” but says he will dance to any music with the right beat.
His connection to Seedhill has been ongoing since 2008 when he moved to Paisley. His brother stayed in Seedhill and both his children attended Paisley Grammar. Regularly frequenting the local Lagoon Leisure Centre.
Tommy says: “I love to dance as it is not only a way of expressing myself, it is also an escape and release from everyday life. When I am in the “groove” nothing else exists when the endorphins and adrenaline take control.”
Ashton
Ashton Bradley (15) trains in a variety of different styles from commercial and jazz to lyrical and ballet. When he was 13 he was a finalist on BBc1’s Greatest Dancer and won a scholarshipto ‘Steps’ on Broadway from choreographer Ryan Daniel beck, but unfortunalty due to the pandemic wasnt able to attend.
He Has recently been accepted into Hamilton theatre arts. His favourite hobby other than dancing is going out with friends especially to the theatre to see the latest musicals. He has many connections to Seedhill; both his Gran and Dad used to live on Bank Street and grew up in the local area.
Ashton says: “My favourite styles would have to be contemporary and commercial as I feel like I can channel my emotions easily into these styles. I love dance because it makes me feel confident and it’s another way to express yourself other than just words.”
CAITLIN
Caitlin Bonnar (17) is a contemporary dancer. She regularly trains in a variety of styles at Jennifer Scott Dance School in Paisley. For as long as she can remember she has also spent her Friday or Saturday nights in the Lagoon Leisure Centre Pool in Seedhill.
Caitlin says: “Over the last couple of years dance has become my happy place and the place I go to when I’m struggling, this is why I love dance. When I’m not in a studio training I often spend my time baking and trying new recipes.”
RUDY
Rudy Mbunzama (33) dances HipHop, Breaking, Krump, Popping, Locking, House, Afrobeat & Freestyle. In 2002 he moved to Scotland from the Democratic Republic of Congo and found his passion for breakdance in Toryglen. He honed his talents performing in the streets of Glasgow as the founder of #1BLUD crew and went on to study dance at Reid Kerr College in Paisley.
During his time at college he performed many times in Paisley Town Centre and went on to teach street dance workshops and classes for local dance groups as well as performing and acting as a judge for some events at the Lagoon Centre.
He is now a Dance Instructor, Choreographer Artistic Director and Entrepreneur and founded his own community interest company Hip-Hop Revival Entertainment. Amongst his career highlights are performing for BBC 3 Move like MJ, Britain's Got Talent, Got to Dance, Irn-Bru Musical, Maom Freestyle Champion London, UDO World Locking Champion, UDO 6 Nations Breaking Champion amongst others.
“I love to dance because it’s gives me power, dance helps me release and express my emotions, my frustration, my insecurities, with dance I’m invincible. Dance fuels me up everyday of my life, Dance helps me stay fit and light on my feet, Dance is like an addictive drug with trillions of benefits. One of the main reasons I love to dance, is because it’s helps me give other people’s life a meaning.”
All pictures by Nicola Stead in collaboration with MHz
PRESS
Paisley Daily Express Review “Paisley streets come alive with night-time dance event”
Our team:
STRUT Dancers: Rudy Mbunzama, Caitlin Bonnar, Tommy Codona, Ashton Bradley and Alannah Danielle Sutherland.
Design+Direction: MHz
Dance Facilitators: Jennifer Taggart
Stage Manager: Abigail McMillan
LX/Projection Techs: Siri Black, Laurie Paul
Community Panel: Lesley Drummond, Jen Taggart and Mc Empress
Poster Design: Ashwin Chacko
Photographers: Nicola Stead
and Brian Hartley
Filming + Edit: MHZ
Producers: Feral
Stewards: InHouse
In association with the EVOLVE project lead by RIG Arts in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure, Williamsburgh Housing Association; and Feral. Funded by Creative Scotland.