A summary of highlights & my involvement of the UK's largest latin dancing related New Year's event organised by Latinmotion
The Event
The event presents a variety of classes, workshops, social parties and live performances over three days. This incluldes the New Year's Eve Party and the New Year's Day Matinee which features a live band during the daytime social dances.
Due to extra time for volunteering planning it was not possible to attend the party on the first night of the event (Monday 30th December).
On New Year's Eve I limit my presence to the early part of the evening by attending one of the classes before the New Year's party.
Because of the extremely busy environment around the midnight celebrations I attended much later from 12.30am onwards
I captured the vibes with the late night party and took some images
On New Year's Day I was focusing more on catching up & hanging out with some of the salsa teachers & attendees. Also during the day checking out the live band who performed.
Because of some social and dancing barriers I did not dance, instead took photos & videos to capture the New Year's Day Matinee.
Prior to attending this year's event, I had to dramatically reduce my presence at classes and social parties within the past 12 months. Unfortunately this has led to many obstacles and have affected my social presence at this year's NYE Fest.
Watch out soon special blog insight and analysis for details.
Volunteering & behind the scenes participant
Months before the event, I was actively providing suggestions to the team leader & volunteering on how to make sure the volunteering environment makes the event successful for visitors. This is what I did during Motion City in August 2024.
For this year's event my volunteering role has expanded as a point of contact role. This role has multiple responsibilities. Primary is to check all the volunteers on the same duties there are no problems. Also to provide reminders to teachers of all active classes at different rooms during 10 & 5 minutes before classes end. I also liaise volunteers to relocate to different locations. This prevents volunteers from feeling restricted and reduces the risk on the lack of team's motivation. This is one top of checking the event visitors to make sure they have the corrected wristbands. This reduced the risk for anyone from entering the events who did not pay for this event at particular times.
The role had a very frequent switch of responsibility at different timescales.
Volunteer Organiser
For the second time for this event I have used my specially developed interactive touch point organiser (displayed on a tablet device). To coincide my role changing to point of contact my volunteer organiser was expanded to include a Point of call section with different guidelines and procedure depending on the different circumstances. In addition I develop some printed support materials for live notes and any updates during my volunterring role.
Networking
On New Year's Day I was networking to key participants of this year's event and have shared an example of a trial video I have produced to promote my dancing awareness Feature "Embrace Dancing". I was develop to enable anyone involved with dancing to explore the online feature to enable dancing inclusivity regardless of ability and difficulties. I recived many postive feedback.
The blog presents the highlights of the event which took place. Also I write details of my volunteering and networking based on the facing awareness feature "Embrace Dancing". Additionally I have written about my personal experiences as there are some barriers which affect my presence during this year's event.
Watch out soon for the promotional video for my dancing Awarenness Feature "Embrace Dancing".
Useful Links
Visit the Dancing Direction feature on a summary of my dancing related projects and dancing classes and events I participate with.
Visit the Embrace Dancing feature which presented a series of dancing awareness projects, information and activities to enable inclusive dancing regardless of abilities & difficulties
Visit the Creative webpage for details in developing the interactive touch point organiser for Volunteering
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Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music-related film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating at two major salsa dancing conventions in Birmingham
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