The Xtra Diary - Wayne McGregor to get a CBE from dancing Queen
Published: 14 January, 2011
IT is a sign, perhaps, of the burgeoning profile of dance in this country that Wayne McGregor has joined the list of Westminster residents honoured with a CBE in the New Year Honours List.
Wayne, who grew up in Stockport, lives in Covent Garden and runs Wayne McGregor Random Dance, based in Sadler’s Wells, one of the UK’s premier dance halls.
But the multi-award-winning choreographer is keen to emphasise that his honour should not be regarded as an accolade for him alone, telling Diary this week: “This honour is a shared one, and without our brilliant network of dance professionals in the UK and abroad, we couldn’t do half of the exciting work we do.”
In a country where dance has in the past been neglected as an art form, clinching the Establishment’s stamp of approval is no mean feat – particularly for a figure whose influences seem at first glance perilously off-the-wall.
In interviews online, Wayne, who is 40, can be seen discussing subjects including the changing perception of the body in the Age of Enlightenment, cognitive neuroscience and the evolution of prehistoric life forms.
A fan of computer games and sci-fi in his youth, he describes his dancers as “objects to think with” and is interested in “disorientated, slightly disjointed” styles of movement.
Wayne said that dance was “a strong driver in the community” as well as “an excellent creative outlet” for young people.
“It’s an art form for them to express themselves beyond words, on raw, immediate and direct terms,” he added. “It’s fantastic for confidence, co-operation and connecting with other people – and it is totally fun.”
Read and ride? - Books and bikes boom
IT is hardly news that these are boom times for cycling in London – but is there something in the water in Fitzrovia that makes the area’s locals particularly mad about two wheels?
Last year bike mechanics at Cavendish Cycles in New Cavendish Street clubbed together and purchased the shop from its owners.
They renamed it Fitzrovia Bicycles and have earned praise online for their snappy, helpful service.
Now community website Fitzrovia News informs us that something called the London Cycling Bookclub has launched at the Fitzroy Tavern in Charlotte Street.
It will meet every six weeks to discuss a bicycle-themed book and swap cycling tips.
Perhaps there is a subtle irony here.
With the price of train and bus fares having risen yet again, there has never been a better time to hop on a bike – but while tube journeys provide bookworms with valuable reading time, the downside of riding a bike is that you can’t read while doing it!
Limelight squat shining success
FOR the past month the derelict Limelight building at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road has been home to a somewhat unlikely band of squatters.
Far from being dishevelled “permanent students” as one might expect, this well-turned-out posse belong to The Oubliette, the arts collective famous for converting disused London buildings into temporary venues for art exhibitions, film screenings and theatre performances.
In the Limelight – once a famous nightclub and latterly home to an Australian-themed pub – they have showcased performance art, spoken word, acoustic music, installation pieces and “three nights of absolutely blinding cabaret”.
Earlier this week the group’s founder, Dan Simon told Diary they had kept the property looking spic-and-span and had “acted as de facto security guards, cost free”.
He said: “We keep the property in optimum condition and submit weekly reports to owners. When we moved into Shaftesbury Avenue the fire door was actually open. When it’s very cold there is a real danger that someone may gain access and light a fire to stay warm. I think the owners recognise it is quite fortunate that it was us that gained access.”
The group say around 1,000 art lovers have visited the building since their occupation began.
Dan added: “The crowds we have are absolutely fantastic, not the crowd you would typically find in a squat – a lot of people who are professionally employed in the arts and many members of the local community. We have a growing support base.”
On Wednesday The Oubliette lost a court case brought by the building’s owners, GVA Grimley, in order to regain possession. They did not defend the case.
Fans of The Oubliette include Joshua Neicho, letters editor of the Evening Standard. On Monday night he performed a homage to the group at a poetry event in The Green Note, Camden Town.