The Harvest
A Celebration of Dance and Community
Fertile Ground is proud to launch The Harvest, a vibrant, one-day celebration of movement, creativity, and community, at Dance City, Newcastle upon Tyne on Sunday 7 September.
The festival invites participants and audiences of all backgrounds to come together for a dynamic programme of workshops, discussions and performances, all designed to highlight the region’s rich and growing contemporary dance scene. Curated and produced by Fertile Ground, The Harvest provides a platform for emerging and established artists connected to the North East, offering opportunities for participation, performance and engagement as audience members.
The program
Performance - Fertile Ground and Guests
Sunday 7 September, 6.30pm to 8pm
A pay-as-you-can triple bill of contemporary dance works presented by Fertile Ground’s Artistic Director, alumni, and guests. The evening opens with two powerful new performances created by alumni Pagan Hunt and Ellie Trow, and Lila Naruse in collaboration with Rosie Macari, and concludes with the world premiere of E-Motion, an interactive live dance experience that invites the audience to shape the performance in real time.
Cost: Pay What You Can

Location: Dance City Stage

Total Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes with interval

Suitability: 8+

Community platform Performance
Sunday 7 September, 3.30pm to 4.45pm
A showcase of original works created by local community dance groups with guidance from Fertile Ground dancers.

Cost: Free, booking required

Location: Dance City Stage
Panel discussion - Pathways to a Career in Dance
Sunday 7 September, 5pm to 6.15pm
In this panel discussion, explore the diverse routes into a dance career within the North East, guided by a panel of experienced artists, educators, and industry professionals. Gain valuable insights, ask questions, and connect with others navigating the vibrant dance landscape of the region.

Cost: Free, booking essential
Location: Dance City, Studio 1
Workshops
1. Floorwork Masterclass with Lila Naruse
Explore dynamic movement sequences that connect the body to the ground. This masterclass focuses on fluid transitions, strength, and control, helping dancers build confidence and creativity in floor-based movement.
Sunday 7 September, 11am to 12.15pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 1
Skill Level: Open to participants with some basic dance experience.
2. Ballet Masterclass with Amy Becke
Explore the fundamentals of classical technique through alignment, musicality and expressive movement. Designed to refine your skill and artistry, the session will challenge and inspire dancers of all levels.
Sunday 7 September, 11am to 12.15pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 4
Skill Level: Open to participants with some basic ballet experience.
3. Introduction to Choreographic Practice with Pagan Hunt
Explore the core principles of choreography through creative tasks, movement exploration, and guided improvisation. Develop your artistic voice while learning how to structure and shape original dance material.
Sunday 7 September, 12.30pm to 1.45pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 1
Skill Level: Open to all, regardless of experience.
4. Masterclass: Sound and Movement with Ashling McCann
Explore how sound and movement interact in a playful and experimental way using different surfaces of the room and experiment with creating sounds throughout the Dance City building.
Sunday 7 September, 12.30pm to 1.45pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 4
Skill Level: Open to all, regardless of experience.
5. Masterclass: Introduction to Contemporary Partnering with Lila Naruse & Rosie Macari
Discover the fundamentals of contemporary dancing in partnership through basic techniques, trust, and creativity.
Sunday 7 September, 2pm to 3.15pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 1
Skill Level: Open to participants with some basic dance experience.
6. Masterclass: Seated Dance with Olivia Paddison
Explore creative movement from a seated position, focusing on expression, musicality, and connection. Open to all abilities, this inclusive session encourages participation to discover the joy of dance through accessible and engaging movement practices.
Sunday 7 September, 5pm to 6.15pm
Cost: £8 / £5 concession
Location: Dance City, Studio 4
Skill Level: Open to all, regardless of experience.
The Harvest has been made possible with funding from the Backstage Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Community Foundation North East, The Garrick Charitable Trust, The Barbour Foundation, The Shears Foundation, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, The Joicey Trust and Arts Council England with support from Dance City and Gateway Studio.