A City Before Dance

An exploration of Coventry’s hidden cultural heritage on film and in sound…

A City Before Dance October 10th - 11th 2018 A.D
Kasbah Nightclub (formerly the Tic Toc), Coventry.

An exhibition of films, sound and visual art exploring how the arrival of dance music culture in the late 1980’s brought disenfranchised communities in Coventry together, from a fractured city where racism and violence was the norm a night out on the town.

It featured specially produced five audio documentaries produced especially for the exhibition, covering themes of racism, youth violence, post code feuds from Coventry in the early 1980’s. Each audio documentary was presented in a dedicated, themed listening space, where free tea and biscuits were served. The exhibition also featured spray art by Coventry artists, and three short films from the Reflections series.

Sound System A film exploring the history and culture of Afro-Caribbean sound systems and parties taking place in the midlands through video footage and interviews. Directed by Enda Murray and produced by Ray Henry Reid in 1994. This film was part of the First Cut New Directors Festival funded by West Midlands Arts.

Parks & Wilson: A Hard Day’s Night A day in the life of DJ/ Producer duo Parks & Wilson from Coventry. The film follows the duo as they work in a studio during the day whilst performing in the evening. This low-budget short, filmed on Hi-8, Super-8 and VHS captures the urban energy of the time.

A Piece of The Action This film examines Coventry (focusing on young people) before the explosion of underground dance music by the end of the Eighties. Filmed on Beta-cam, Hi-8, Super-8, and made with a budget of £15,000 this was also part of the First Cut New Directors Festival and was broadcast on Channel 4 & MTV in 1995.