For Supporting Autism Dance Day and International Dance Day Please note this article is written from my personal perspective. Although the information is mainly related to Latin dancing environments some of the examples can apply to any dancing and music environments. INTRODUCTION Dancing is a positive, expressive and active environment which everyone should be able to do without barriers. BACKGROUND I have been dancing casually for a long time and have been active in Latin-related dancing as an activity for over a decade. Also, I became a participant in these environments for nearly a decade including being a volunteer and providing positive solutions for events like Motion City, Latinmotion NYE Fest. In addition, I am regular in the local community with "Salsa with Pauline" where I'm also in charge of marketing. Back in 2022, I was honoured to be part of a community campaign for Birmingham City Council to celebrate the city's legacy since hosting the Commonwealth Games. However, there is an unpleasant barrier which not only gets in the way not only for me but for others with hidden related difficulties. This is related to perceptive prejudice, ableism and discrimination. This can occur during learning during classes or workshops, taking part in social dancing, parties, festivals and dancing conventions. As I am involved in a partner dancing environment there I have observed within recent years a greater layer of unspoken expectations. Too many times I have seen too many times with an old-fashioned expectation that unless you are an average or a quicker learner then you are not only discredited but also a negative liability to others. Though my experiences are unless you can progress your dancing through different dance levels within the average pace then you can be socially left behind. I have experienced this along with social separation which has affected my presence in these environments. Some dancing steps and movements are harder than others regardless of what dancing levels you are at at classes and workshops. Also for visual learners and those who suffer from short-term memory difficulties, it can be extra tough. This means a person needs extra time to master dance moves compared to an average person. At parties, festivals and conventions In these environments, it can be very competitive and very pressuring to survive the social environment. Especially if certain attendees are regarded as more desirable and appealing than others social as charisma, sense of humour as well and positive ratings for their dancing abilities In a dancing environment which is made of leaders & followers, the pressure is on the men. Not only do they have to be able to lead well with a follower partner who is traditionally a woman but able to memorise the dance steps which might be harder for some with hidden differences if the pace of learning can be too fast with cramming too much on what is expected to learn. At parties, festivals and conventions the pressures escalate for men to memorise a variety of dance moves which must be impressive and not boring or predictable. As a tradition of men approaching women to dance, unless a man appears confident in dancing and socially, a man can be divided and excluded which can damage a person's motivation levels and presence Changes since the pandemic Since the worldwide pandemic, I have observed a massive change in the past few years in other people's attitudes and patient levels (except for the dancing environment in local communities). I have also noticed and experienced a change of mindset that has affected the majority of the Latin dancing environment with negative implications. At classes, if you are seen struggling in classes then you are likely to be rejected not just for asking to dance but also socially. Despite my involvement in Latin dancing as an activity for a decade, I have been given an unpleasant wake-up call recently with an increasing lack of acceptance environments in the past 12 to 18 months not just dancing and socially. I've experienced being socially divided and socially engaging much less compared to others through rejections which has disrupted my dancing motivation, this has forced me to leave parties and social dancing after classes much earlier. I was made to be mentally quicker with my presence including timing when it came to dancing to partners and socially engaging with people, I would face marginalisation and low dancing motivation if I didn't follow my quicker mindset guidelines. This also occurs more often when I'm seen on my own for too long and not able to form a social circle and when I face constant rejection. In certain environments, I faced aggressive threats from male dancers who used up too much dance floor space to showcase their moves with their partners. What makes it worse, I dont have to be too close leads to receiving shouting threats from certain men in this matter. This example can damage anyone's dancing confidence. My observation of the changing social climate has damaged my ability to dance in these social environments with confidence because of constant being marginalised and excluded. However, this worsened at a New Year event into 2024 (at which I volunteered) when I recieved insulting ableist remarks against my intelligence at a dancing class. The sitauion worsened at the remainder of the rest of the event when I was constantly socially sidelined and alienated. I feel the culture of ableism and one-sided perceptions and expectations in dancing have gone too far. People need to think carefullly about the negative implications when we constantly divide others based on social vanity and perceptions at dancing envionments. Stop attending events Due to my constant negative experences, I had to take action by stop attending any latin parties and events for many months as the mentioned examples mentioned has affecting my personal life. This means I had rebuild my self-worth and confidence separately and away from dancing envionmnets. (However, I continue to attend selected classes and participate in my friend's classes in the local community). No person with hidden related difficulties should be treated like this. This is why I wrote this blog and developed several projects and suggestions documents to change the narrative and the encouragement to stop dividing hidden related difficulties from dancing and be visible. THE CONSEQUENCES If we do not pay attention to how we judge and treat others then we could have a culture of discouraging individuals with neurological difficulties (and those who experience anxiety) to dance less or not be viable in dancing environments. This means a person with difficulties is undervalued and is made to feel out of sight and out of mind. WHAT HAS TO CHANGE Attendees need to stop defining a person against their difficulties and not make quick judgments person's ability. Also event participamnts needs to be responsive to prevent and reduce negative prejudice and ableism. Don't be perceptive if you notice a person's difficulties and not exclude, marginalised to reject dancing and socialise with them. Men Attendees Don't take advantage of men with hidden difficulties by deliberately pulling a woman away they are engaging in. Also, don't be selfish with using dancing space and never be rude and aggressive to other men, related to dancing spaces. Women attendees Be more supportive and less judgemental when a male with hidden differences is present. This includes if they might be struggling in classes. Also, be less perceptive of a man's request to dance and try to be socially engaging. All attendees Some people may be more fortunate to have a social circle than others. This does not mean we should reject and exclude those who have a limited or no social circle. As mentioned not to take advantage of their presence. Teacher & event leaders Be more supportive and discourage any type of discrimination and ableism. This means intervening when necessary and encouraging attendees to change how they judge a person if they live with specific difficulties. STEPS FORWARD Attendees Be patient and encouraging at classes workshops and social parties. See a person beyond their difficulties Be welcoming and appreciating Offer help if needed, especially if the person is struggling or a situation has occurred which forced a person to pull out of a class Look out if an attendee has pulled out if they are made to pull out. It is very important not to divide a person if they are struggling to follow. If the other attendee is struggling or is avoiding certain moves as it is too much never make any type of ableist or offensive remarks against their intelligence. Teachers Always Remind all students in classes to be supportive of some classes are struggling Spend time with an attendee who may struggle Everyone Make sure to encourage others to approach to dance with those who might feel discouraged due to lack of a social circle or being made to dance much less. FINAL POINT A person with hidden differences along with other invisible disabilities should be able to dance equally without ableism, prejudice and rejection Written by Keith Mckenzie Click here to discover more about me RECOMMENDED PROJECTS (From the Plus Value Awareness website) Inclusive to dance The information with suggestions and downloadable suggestions to improve inclusivity for passionate dancers with neurodiversity, Invisible disabilities and those experiencing anxiety. Dancing inclusivity publications A series of suggestions publications (available to download) to encourage to be accommodating and more inclusive for selected neurodiverse dancers in latin dancing environments. (From this website) Dancing Direction The feature which contain a summary of my developments. projects and involvement in dancing environments USEFUL LINKS Open mind The themed feature to encourge open minds and inclusivity for neurodiverse dancers. Launched during International Dance Day and Autism Dance Day for 12 months until Mid April 2024. Embrace Dancing feature The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications INFORMATION Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious. Including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety. Visit the Understanding series index of the Plus Value Awareness website to explore Any type of absive or hatred remarks and comments will not be tolerated and action will taken if any inappoprate comments are made. Developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness
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I have visited "The Photography and Video show", the event which showcases photography and filming at Birmingham's NEC. In addition, it covers additional multimedia examples such as social media reels and influencer videos. As photography was part of my art and design background when I studied in Hereford and Northampton, I wanted to catch up on what I needed to know as I haven't done much camera photography since the pandemic. Presentations A presentation by Kim Grant on how she was developing a series of YouTube videos based on her passions including outdoor scenic and nature photography. Despite that she was not comfortable appearing on a video camera, she explained how her life had changed and became a major YouTube influencer within 7 years. Kim is encouraging anyone who is an introvert should not feel discouraged and should give it a go. One major reason why I was attracted to attend was to do with a series of presentation talks on using images and video social media to improve influences. I attended a presentation on this particular subject from Gavin Hoey assisted by model Chloe on transferring professional photography to video reels with tips and guidelines to increase social media engagement and audience by focusing on quality rather than Quantity. Had a nice chat with both Gavin and Chloe before & after their presentations. Posing with Gavin Hoey and Model Chloe Other presenations Keenan Lan presented how to create impactful content on social media using images and videos Gordon Glenister presented an family of ideas to grow influnce anmd personal brand. Meeting people As well as attending the presentation and receiving some advice from the different stands, I also had an opportunity to meet some great people. One of the people was an inspiring person for Birmingham. Lattie Lovett-Dunn one of the models of the event. She is also a broadcaster and social media influencer and has followed her social media journeys and work along with her husband who is also a model. Posing with Lattie Lovett-Dunn I also met initially with Simone Stocks, an event Model who appeared throughout the day in a specially themed outfit in front of a flower garden display stand & studio. Had a brief chat and she advised me to embrace photography again. Simone Stocks The importance of Photography is still strong, even though many people fear the potential obstacles such as mobile photography and Artificial Intelligence. Living in the background of Art & Design, attending this event reminds me that I need to incorporate photography into my art & design projects and as filming and a lot more. Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games Highlights of the annual occasion which stands out compared to any other new year celebrations. The NYE Fest is the biggest and one the most recognised New Year salsa dancing events in the UK & Europe. The event took place from Saturday the 30th December through to many years day Monday 1st January at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the heart of the NEC organised by Latinmotion provides a family of workshops, classes, social dance and exclusive live performances. The event attracts attendees from around the UK and beyond. As well as an attendee I was a volunteer and participant behind the scenes. Volunteering My volunteer incorporates many different roles including monitoring the appropriate response or when visitors and participants are entering the event area of the venue. Also, I assisted in setting up party items during the New Year's Eve celebrations and helping to dismantle the equipment and items after the event closed. Wrap my volunteering roles I was available to provide assistance or guidance facilities and to help direct visitors and participants to the appropriate locations of the event. This was my fifth time volunteering but this event and I used my experience to say my suggestions several months beforehand to make sure the volunteering team had a coordinated and supportive working environment with respect throughout. Innovation during my volunteering This year's team role was the most innovative and groundbreaking ever as I introduced using an interactive touch digital volunteering organiser. This was used on a custom use tablet device for this role. Enables me to be organised and resourced for all the important information of the events along with guidance and procedures depending on the information required or if a challenging situation occurred. The digital interactive organiser was designed and developed by myself to find out more click on the following links below Presenting surprise This was not the end of the story because my role expanded One special involves surprising the founders of Latinmotion to acknowledge the achievement of more than 30 years since both founders started the organisation way back in 1993. Despite I made one minor error the audience approved and appreciated this special surprise moment. Digital Signage trail I offered to provide a unique solution after the venue hosts of the event organisers to access their large green digital signs to promote the event the programme and additional information. So before the event began I was developing prototype digital signage. This involves a lot of research and consultations with organisations that use digital signs regularly. What I have developed is designed to help people welcome to the event and now all the essential information including the event map and the events schedule. Sadly because of information that was not brought to our attention my specialty-designed digital signage was able to be used at this year's event. However but what I have developed there is a possibility that will have developed could be used in future events My insight As expected the event brought in some of the finest dances from all over the UK to put together one of the brightest New Year's events out there. But it doesn't stop there, I can become an innovative participant with an interactive organiser and the prototype digital signage for future events. Towards Inclusivity Within the past year, I have developed my dancing awareness Project inclusive to dance which provides information and guidance to enable inclusivity regardless of abilities. This was sad to the event leaders and some of the visitors and participants. Beyond the event I have decided that the detailed suggestion documents for embrace dancing environment and convinces is to be fully developed for everyone for the first time. In the past it was limited to the team leaders of Latin Motion and London's Mambo City and in 2022 these documents were featured on the UK's most important awareness campaigners for Anna Kennedy OBE. The dancing inclusivity documents are now available to view and download by visiting the "Embracing Direction" page Party night and daytime matinee The parties took place on Saturday the 30th of December, New Year's Eve and the daytime hours of New Year's Day. Within the four different rooms, the dance floors were full of dancers throughout. Each day also presented exclusive dance performances from professional dancers. The countdown towards the midnight celebrations on New Year's Eve concludes with the midnight celebrations moment, combining the traditional cheers and hugs along with the energetic and vibrant dancing demonstrations. The event concludes on New Year's Day (during daytime only) with classes, social dances and a bonus of a live band performing. Visit the mini feature for details of the NYE Fest
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About meI have an career background related to art & design, a participant on a music project King of the Beats and developed of series of awareness projects for local communities Archives
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