A shared space to celebrate dance in Shropshire
Find out more about Shropshire inclusive danceSiD are excited to announce a new two year programme of inclusive dance making, facilitating workshops and organisational development through funding from Arts Council England.
We are thrilled to have this opportunity to continue developing our inclusive dance work throughout the community. It will give many dancers, with and without disabilities, the opportunities to dance together, train and to make new work.
Contact Dance Company Class has been a great space this term for us to reconnect with each other as a dance company and connect with and wake up our dancing selves. Under the fantastic guidance of Rachel Liggitt, we have rediscovered our joy in dancing and moving together and what it is to be a company of dancers.
We connected with the floor, we had missed rolling, turning, falling, sinking into the floor. We reconnected with the air around us, to reach into, to turn together, to balance, to feel the air stir as another dancer fly’s past. Most importantly we reconnected with each other, moving together, building energy, catching glimpses, echoes, surfing on synchronicity.
We aim for company class to be an inclusive, focused, creative, challenging and enjoyable space where we can develop and grow as a company and as dancers. We are open to experienced dancers who are new to the company in particular experienced dancers with physical disabilities to come and try out the class with us.
We look forward to company classes continuing in the new year.
Our ‘Create’ group had its final class of the autumn term last week. This term we have really celebrated the joys, creativity and connection in moving and dancing together. There have been some beautiful dances, giant leaps forward and much shared laughter. Huge thanks to the participants, they’re carers, the creative team and everyone involved in the class. There are a few places in this Wednesday morning class for next term, we particularly invite people with disabilities who need extra support in participating. Big thanks go to Condover Ciollege who have supported their residents in attanding the classes, Musician Mani Wells who has played beautiful live music and the SiD team Ray Jacobs and Becky Pringle
SiD’s ‘Thrive’ weekly dance class celebrated its final class before the christmas break with some fabulous dancing and seasonal dance wear ! Its been a great term for this class, the dancers have given 100 percent, learning fabulous contemporary dance sequences and exploring creative tasks together guided by the brilliant Poppy Mansfield. Its also been so lovely dancing together at the Hive in Shrewsbury
SiD would like to give huge thanks to Persimmon Homes for supporting our weekly inclusive dance classes at The Hive in Shrewsbury . Shropshire Inclusive Dance has been selected to receive £750 through the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme. The money will enable SiD to offer these classes throughout 2022, which is fabulous as we are so enjoying dancing with everyone ! Pictured below are dancers in our CREATE class from Condover and dancers in our THRIVE class.
Great News !
SiD is now a registered charity. Becoming a registered charity means we are a stronger more resilient organisation. We are in a better position to find the funding and support we need to realise our creative ambitions, to continue enjoy dancing together and inviting more people to dance.
Applying for charitable status involved commitment and hard work from our staff, board, and advisors. We would like to send special thanks to Arts Council England, Kate Mitchinson, HFW London and the chair of our board Alison Overton
On Friday 24th September, Contact Dance Company performed a new duet as part of the FEAST Festival in Malvern. ‘Skirting Around The Edge’ performed by dancers Beth Gardiner and Anna Belyavin, is a lyrical exploration of connection and boundaries. The two dancers navigate the space, exchange glances and like so many of us during this time, experience being together after a long time apart.
The packed FEAST festival audience who were enjoying a sublime selection of poetry, music, performance art and physical comedy were entranced by the dance piece and the dancers. The audience were there with the dancers for every swing, turn, leap, touch and thanked them with rapturous applause at the end of the piece.
Skirting around the Edge, directed by SiD’s co-artistic director Rachel Liggitt was accompanied by the beguiling music track ‘Vardeldu’r by Signor Ros. Contact Dance Company continue to make dances which share the power and importance of human connection at a time when everyone needs it.
Shropshire Inclusive Dance are accepting bookings for this new work please contact directorsidance@gmail.com with enquiries.
Images by Ray Jacobs
Highflyers dancers are pictured below dancing for film as part of the Beyond Borders 2021 project. The images taken by Hank and Margot capture the enjoyment and creativity of our dancers during this rainy day film shoot.
Beyond Borders is an ambitious region-wide participation Dance Development Leaders Group (DDLG) project bringing together dance artists, aspiring young leaders, young people, digital artists and a variety of specialists to collaborate and produce an original work in response to #OnewithNature.
This theme was chosen by over 100 young people through a pilot #DanceConnect 2020. Beyond Borders 2021 is focusing on a creative enquiry approach to dance and digital collaboration and the unique experiences and perspectives of young people as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. The work will be premiered at Birmingham International Dance Festival (BIDF) 2021.
Highfyers Youth Dance Company are supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Community Fund
SiD’s Highflyers Youth Dance Company is supported by Arts Council England and The Lottery Community Fund
Shropshire inclusive Dance 