Residency/commission from East Street Arts at Union 105, with additional funding from Leeds Inspired. In collaborating with dancer Akeim Toussaint Buck.

Chapeltown – a place with endless stories and intrigue. We held workshops at a black elders’ society and local primary schools to hear the histories of the elderly and build new futures with children. Through an innovative guided walk we invite the audience to experience this unique place from different perspectives. Exploring themes of home, migration, regeneration and resilience, the guided walk combined movement and dance, visual art, poetry, and games for the audience to get involved in.

Successive immigrant communities have shaped the unique culture and heritage of Chapeltown. ‘What didn’t you do to bury me? But you forgot I was a seed’ revealed and united cross-generational experience to create a legacy with the community of Chapeltown.

BEAUTIFUL DAY! Thank you everyone, such a gift – generous and surprising… It was like a little family on our journey through the streets, loved how it was so gentle and built for us to run a crazy race together. Those children leading the way made me so hopeful. As [my 3 year old son] said ‘It’s an amazing day!’ THANK YOU – attendee of the guided walk

Biggups Akeim & Anne-Marie + all the youngers & elders taking part in this. Fantastic showcase for we area – just what needed bringing folks together, shining light on Chapeltown’s unique history & creativity, taking over the streets, running through the streets, reclaiming space for the youth & us all to breathe, recharge & grow. Mo seeds. Mo power. – attendee of the guided walk.

“Working with Akeim and Anne-Marie over the last three months has been really rewarding. Despite coming from very different artistic backgrounds they have collaborated incredibly well, seeming to have fairly different, but complimentary skills. They’re a really solid and reliable partnership. As with many socially engaged projects, unforeseen hurdles are commonplace and both Anne Marie & Akeim have approached these issues and barriers with real positivity. They’re both open to ideas and, most importantly for such projects, are willing to put time into listening to the communities they’re working with. Having documented a number of the workshops and performances during the project it’s clear that they are two people who have a genuine care and interest in people with a very personable and respectful approach. When chatting to people post events, I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from participants and audience members. The project has definitely helped strengthen Union105’s/East Street Arts connections with the local community. – Lotte Shaw, Programme Manager, East Street Arts.