In 2020, when it felt like the world was at a standstill, I sensed the ground shifting beneath me. That’s when I decided to build something of my own: Dance Makes the Floor (DMTF). It’s more than just a project; it’s a communal effort to create a dance floor together. DMTF is an ongoing artistic endeavour focused on crafting sections of this dance floor in various places, engaging different communities through workshops, conversations, and public performances. The vision? A full-sized dance floor made by all the dancers who’ve graced it, uniting people through dance.

In 2022, collaborating with the Culture Collective and Govanhill Baths, DMTF brought to life three panels of parquet dance floor using leftover wood from the Baths’ changing rooms. This project is all about the context, about working with different dance artists, DJs, and community groups to make it happen.

At RISE 2024, DMTF presents Keep the Fire Burnin’, a participatory performance developed with A/V artist Cameron Howard. Using the floor we’ve collectively made, three performers invite the audience to help turn it into a dance floor. Imagine: if the dance floor were a fire, what movements could stoke its flames? With a webcam linking live movement to the music’s tempo, the performers jump, sway, and shake the floor into a sweaty, energetic blaze.

This event takes place outdoors. Please meet at the foyer of the Universal Hall, from where you’ll be guided to the location. All are welcome. Children under 8 years old should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.