UNITY IN SOUTHAMPTON’S HOLYROOD COMMUNITY IN FOCUS AGAIN

FOURTH ANNUAL WE ARE HOLYROOD CREATIVE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL OPENS
15 TO 20 JULY

An annual, community-led initiative which celebrates and unites the residents of the Holyrood council estate in the heart of Southampton will take place for the fourth time this July. From 11am to 7pm every day from Wednesday 15 to Sunday 20 July, We Are Holyrood Hub, facilitated by ZoieLogic Dance Theatre in collaboration with Holyrood residents, brings dance, creativity and celebration to the community of residents.

The Hub is part of an ongoing programme designed to embed inclusive and accessible cultural activities at the heart of Holyrood – a long-standing council estate that was established to replace a slum that was bombed in World War Two. Over 2,500 residents live on the estate and between them they speak over 25 different languages. 32% of the young people who live in the Holyrood estate live in low-income families (compared with a 23% national average) and it is located within the top 20% of most deprived areas in England.

The Hub is a week of free and engaging activities especially for Holyrood residents. It is one of a number of We Are Holyrood activities that ZoieLogic facilitates across the year – for example, the company hosts up regular dance activities for residents and drop-in sessions and collaborates with young people to create performances and films. Since inception in 2019, the Hub has become a place for residents, many of whom are isolated on a day-to-day basis, to connect, play, participate, share and move.

Highlights of the 2025 event include guest dance workshops, a dancing ‘litter pick up competition’ and the release of a music video featuring young Holyrood residents, which was shot on site. The week opens with a party and silent disco and ends with a carnival procession through the estate on Sunday 20 July.

Founder and CEO of ZoieLogic Dance Theatre Zoie Golding MBE says, “We Are Holyrood is a vital part of our mission at ZoieLogic. We want to create spaces where everyone feels they belong. It’s especially important for those who often miss out or feel left out. Yes, dance is what we do, but connection - and helping people live happier, healthier and more creative lives - is why we do it. We Are Holyrood brings that to life in a real and powerful way.”

Holyrood resident and ZoieLogic’s Community Engagement Manager Sam Connnis says, "We Are Holyrood connects new people, brings people together and supports young people and their community to explore their creativity. Community cohesion and hyper-local provision plus a sense of pride are at the heart of what we are doing here and I’m proud to be part of something that’s shining a light on Holyrood and all the brilliant people who make it what it is."

ZoieLogic Dance Theatre invites local businesses and community members to support the We Are Holyrood programme by becoming a philanthropic Changemaker. For as little as £35 per month, businesses or individuals can support ZoieLogic’s work in curating and producing collaborative creative opportunities for Hollywood residents and using the power of dance to deliver meaning and connection to people who need it the most. Changemaker funding supports ZoieLogic’s annual community festival, The Holyrood Hub, regular creative dance and film projects, monthly movement sessions for young people and adults and a youth ambassador programme. For more information, visit www.zoielogic.co.uk.

The 2025 Holyrood Hub has been made possible with support from Arts Council England, Underdog Recruitment, JLA Resourcing, Victoria Chapman, Solent Power, Boyle and Summers and Capilaux Ltd.

For further information, interviews and images, please contact: Siobhan Waterhouse, Partnerships Manager, on siobhan@zoielogic.co.uk or +44 (0)7 884 598 345.

Please find images here.

About ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

Led by Artistic Director Zoie Golding MBE, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre brings 25 years’ of experience in challenging the perceptions of dance, who it’s for and how it’s shown. We want as many people to experience dance as possible; to see it, be in it and help make it.

We make shows and projects and create unforgettable experiences. We’re on a mission to get more people involved in dance, especially men and boys and those less likely to see or take part in the arts. We make this happen by creating and touring professional dance theatre shows, and through our outreach, engagement, and talent development programmes.

ZoieLogic Dance Theatre is supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

About Zoie Golding MBE

Zoie Golding MBE is a celebrated dance pioneer and social innovator, who has made her mark on the UK and international dance world over the past two decades. As an accomplished Artistic Director, Movement Director, Executive Producer and CEO, challenging perceptions of dance, its audience, and its place in society.

In 2000, Zoie founded the nationally acclaimed FuzzyLogic Youth Dance Company, leading the way in male dance engagement. This grew into ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, recognised for its exceptional and innovative dance experiences that bring people together and create positive social impact.

Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for dance and the arts and is a source of inspiration for those who seek to make a difference in the world of dance and beyond. Leading to her recent honour of being awarded an MBE for her services to dance.

Southampton creative community festival pops up again this July

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