Castles In The Sky Presents: A Day & Night of Dance with Nikhita Devi & Bollyqueer

Castles In The Sky Presents  A Very Special Dance Showcase with Nikhita Devi & Bollyqueer + workshops with the artists

Join us for an evening of performances and afternoon of workshops showcasing traditional and contemporary takes on South Asian dance styles from some of the UK's most exciting LGBTQ+ dance artists Nikhita Devi and Bollyqueer.

Friday February 28th, 7.30PM @ Mind The Gap Studios

Doors open 7PM 

Show starts 7.30PM

Join Bollyqueer and Nikhita Devi for a series of performances including 2 solo pieces by Nikhita Devi (they/them)  and a mixture of solo and group pieces from Bollyqueer.

Nikhita Devi's work is based primarily on Indian classical dance, but also draws heavily from bellydance (or raqs sharqi) and burlesque and also takes influence from martial arts and the spiritual practices of yoga and tantra. Their breathtaking work is not to be missed.

Bollyqueer are a queer collective using Bollywood dance to unapologetically honour their identities, showcase queer love and express themselves freely. Bollyqueer performances are moving, uplifting and powerful.

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Saturday March 1st 3PM @ Kala Sangam, Bank House

2  workshops will take place at Kala Sangam studios from 1.30PM

We are aware this event falls within Ramadan. Please be advised that we will provide quiet and chilled space as well as prayer facilities. Both workshops will also be tailored to support varying energy levels. 

About the workshops 

1.30PM - Nikhita Devi's workshop will blend yoga, Indian dance and burlesque and is suitable for all dance levels including beginners.

3PM- Bollyqueer workshops are beginner friendly and prioritise self-expression and having fun over learning choreography. It's a safer space to learn Bollywood dance, where choreography is not gendered.

This event was dreamt up and produced by Castles In The Sky and made possible by being generously commissioned by Marlborough Productions as part of New Queers on the Block. Supported by Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

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Access

Mind The Gap's Studio 1 is accessible via lift and there are wheelchair accessible bathrooms. There is a separate cafe/ bar space which audiences can use if a break from the main room is required.

Kala Sangam is currently situated at Bank House, Bank Street, BD1. We will be using 2 studios. The studio where Nikhita's workshop will take place has a few steps between the lift and the room. The studio where Bollyqueer's workshop will take place is step free. There is a wheelchair accessible bathroom at this venue.

Workshops are relaxed and participants are invited to take part at their own pace, taking breaks is welcome and accommodated and there will be refreshments available. 

If cost is a barrier to attending, please contact us at hello@castlesinthesky.info to request a complimentary space at the showcase, workshop or both! 

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About the artists

Bollyqueer

Bollyqueer is a Bollywood dance space that celebrates and empowers the LGBTQIA+ community. Bollyqueer workshops are described as a transformative experience, often referred to as 'coming home' for individuals who have felt pushed away from their culture due to their queerness.
They aim to bring this joy to your stage, showcasing that Queer South Asian identities are valid and beautiful.

Bollyqueer are one of the only Bollywood dance groups that do not divide performers by gender, ensuring that all dancers have the freedom to choose their costume styles and choreography in ways that honour their identities and avoid dysphoria. They unapologetically showcase queer love and romance in their routines, presenting a bold, inclusive vision of Bollywood.

Bollyqueer is a statement. It is an unapologetic celebration of diversity, resilience, and the transformative power of dance. By bringing Bollyqueer to this event, they aim to inspire, uplift, and create a space where queer South Asian identities are celebrated and embraced.

Nikhita Devi

Nikhita's (they/them) practice is deeply rooted in their Indian heritage, based primarily on Indian classical dance, but also draws heavily from bellydance (or raqs sharqi) and burlesque. It is also influenced by their studies of martial arts and the spiritual practices of yoga and tantra.

Their dance allows them to express themself and helps them connect physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with themself, their audience and their community. They hope that infusing the movement vocabulary of classical dance styles with the sensuality and earthiness of bellydance and burlesque will help to inspire and liberate femmes, the LGBTQ community and the South Asian community at home and abroad.

As well as physical dance they also engage in academic research to enhance their knowledge, bring understanding and respect to what they do, and contextualise their work. They investigate questions of identity, sexuality, heritage and freedom of expression through their work.