IN THE SPACE WITH… MARIAM HASSAN OF REMIX DANCE
It is at the core of ODAC’s charitable purpose to provide space and opportunities for local and creative communities, and in doing so, we are fortunate to meet fascinating people doing inspiring things. This is the second in a series of interviews with some of the creative people we support: an opportunity to find out more about what they do in our spaces and their plans for the future.
Mariam Hassan, along with Mia Nicastro, is the co-founder of Remix Dance and has worked in the Regent’s Park Estate for the last 15 years providing opportunities for young people. Supported by ODAC and Regent’s Place, Remix Dance is a free community dance project which delivers weekly Street Dance classes and performance opportunities to local children aged 5-18 years.
Can you tell us a little more about yourself, and Remix Dance?
I’ve been working in the Regent’s Park Estate for the last fifteen years for different community centres. Because I have a dance background - I used to teach dance in different schools, I thought I’d test dance out with some of the young people that I was working with that came to the community centre.
With continued support from a range of local organisations, schools and businesses including Regent’s Place, we have worked with over 300 children from the local area. Things are going really well and we’re looking to gain more funding and support to expand the project further.
And outside of Remix Dance, what else do you do in the local area?
Remix Dance is something that I run alongside at my full-time job, which is Assistant Manager at the Samuel Lithgow Youth Centre. It’s on Regent’s Park Estate. It works well that many of the children who attend the youth centre also come to Remix Dance.
What difference do you aim to make?
Remix Dance aims to give young people an opportunity to have something positive to focus on, something that they enjoy and a place where they feel comfortable and safe in.
Therefore being based at Old Diorama Arts Center works so well, it is just a stone’s throw away from their homes. They come in and they see so much positivity and opportunities and they feel that they can be whoever they want to be. That’s all that we aim to give them.
Outside of work, what are your artistic passions?
I just absolutely love dance. I love hip-hop theatre, and love to be able to see people who feel that they don’t have a voice or haven’t been able to voice their feelings, and do this through Dance.
What do you like the most about working here at Old Diorama?
You feel so relaxed, you feel welcomed. Every single person in reception just seems so happy to see you. There’s always a big smile, a big wave. Also… there are so many different things going on in the center and its really exciting! I’m always like “Whoa! What am I hearing there? What are they doing? What casting is this?” It’s a very interesting place to be.
Has working at Old Diorama made a difference to what you do?
100%! Firstly, it has given us the ability to continue; and secondly, it’s a great location. It’s near Regents Park Estate and it feels very professional. For the young people, by being in a professional kind of space, they behave better, there’s less distraction.
What would you like to see happening at Old Diorama in the Future?
It would be amazing if there were more links between our Remix Dance and some of ODAC’s other clients - more collaboration. Also, I would like to do more to support the parents of the kids in Remix Dance more.
Thank you to Mariam for taking the time to speak to us - and best of luck with your upcoming shows.
Thank you as well to Zbigniew Kotkiewicz for his fantastic photography!
If you’re local, and looking for space for your group, project or day-to-day work, please contact Creative Director Daniel Pitt on daniel@olddiorama.com.
