Our SiD trio ‘Welcoming the Dawn’ was really well received at The FEAST Festival in Malvern. It’s great to tour a piece and see the performances, shine, develop and adapt to all the different spaces we visit.
We also had a fantastic time dancing with participants in our workshop. It felt like everyone enjoyed dancing and celebrating the dawn together.
Huge thanks to the festival its always such a treat to be part of FEAST – Theatre Festival and we felt so warmly welcomed.
We stayed for the afternoon performance of Out of the Box by Daryl Carrington and it was a real treat, such a skilful funny and entertaining show and it felt good to be part of an incredible festival audience.
We enjoyed warming up and performing in this beautiful space to an audience of nursing / care staff and patients.
The SiD team then led an informal, light and fun movement workshop which really lifted the spirits and energy of everyone present.
The images above are of our dancers warming up and performing as part of our visit.
Big thanks to the Arts and Health team and everyone at the hospital for welcoming us.
Our tour of Welcoming the Dawn to venues, schools and community groups across the Shropshire region is supported by Shropshire Council as part of ‘This Is Shropshire’ programme
Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SiD) is touring an exciting inclusive performance and workshop experience to events, festivals, schools, colleges, and community groups across the Shropshire and West Midlands region this autumn. Touring to The Feast Festival Malvern, Southall School, Telford, Severndale Acedemy, Shrewsbury, Working Together Ludlow, to name just a few.
In July, SiD created an energetic, playful, and poignant trio, `Welcoming the Dawn,´ as part of their Sunrise to Sunset show at Theatre Severn. The trio is performed by two upcoming and talented SiD dancers, Beth Gardiner and Georgie Dawson, alongside SiD dance artist Anna Belyavin.
The piece explores the act of beginning a new day, welcoming the sun and the changes it brings. Choreographer and Co-Artistic Director Rachel Liggitt describes the piece.
´The dancers bring in a new day, shedding the previous one and all its woes, by using touch, weight, momentum, balance, and flow as they journey together towards a new beginning´
The performance and workshop experience includes witnessing the performance up close and exploring the themes of the dance in a creative and enjoyable workshop led by SiD´s inclusive team of dancers with and without disabilities.
Connection, togetherness, and joy of dancing are at the heart of SiD, and they will be sharing these qualities with all the groups they work with.
The tour has been made possible by funding from Shropshire County Council´s´ Vibrant Shropshire: a Cultural Compact secured funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund , Arts Council England, and The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
You will be required to work once a fortnight to support SiD’s Highflyers youth dance group in a central Shrewsbury location. You will be working as part of a team led by an experienced Dance Artist / Leader.
Highflyers Youth Dance is for young people aged 11-17 years with additional needs. Our sessions are creative and movement-based; inclusion is at the heart of all that we do.
You will need an enhanced DBS check (we can arrange one for you if necessary).
If you would like to find out more, please contact
Rachel Liggitt
Co-Artistic Director
rachelsidance@gmail.com
To arrange an initial conversation to find out more about the role, SiD’s work, and the people we work with.
An incredible cast of dancers bring in a new day, using touch, weight, momentum, balance, flow and connection, celebrating how we move through the day and how the day moves us.
Wow what a night !
Shropshire Inclusive Dance is so proud of all the performers, our hard-working team and so thankful to such a brilliant and supportive audience. Sunrise to Sunset was a huge success.
Dancers, you were amazing ! Performing with creativity, connection, virtuosity and so much heart.
The show was presented by the wonderful Gareth Price-Baghurst, who wove our story of the day together with his writing expertise, charm, gravitas, poetry and humour.
Our wonderful SiD groups – Create, Highflyers, Thrive, Darwin Dancers, and Contact Dance Company created work to express and animate our experiences of the day from Sunrise to Sunset.
Our team of dance artists and specialists including Anna Belyavin, Delphine Wise, Cat Merrick, Julie Wright & Rosie Hayward worked with each group, supporting them to tell their stories and to shine.
Envisaging and bringing the show together has been satisfying and hard work for SiD Artistic Directors Rachel Liggitt ,Ray Jacobs and SiD Manager Jo Wright, but seeing the artistry expressed and joy that dance brings to everyone involved sure makes it worthwhile.
Comments from the audience.
‘The performance last night was inspirational. The concept of weaving a story into the performance was brilliant. Often you can be left feeling why was that show called what it was. So, Sunrise to sunset was clear and apparent throughout and made you feel you were indeed being taken on a journey.’
The show included those beautiful lanterns created by Amanda Hillier (Hillier Designs) and our costumes were cared for and tailored by our Wardrobe Supervisor Sue Hall.
Big thanks to Cal Barre and Theatre Severn technical staff who created a beautifully lit stage and operated sound and lights, the Hive Shrewsbury venue for supporting us throughout the programme of classes and dance making and The Gateway Centre supporting our classes through Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College.
Many thanks to our Stage Manager Rachael Holbrook who kept us all calm, focused and organised on stage, and the extra support from Richard Edwards.
Also, a shout out to our board members supporting our front of house on the night and Ellen Purse who worked hard to support our marketing of the event.
SiD was supported by the presence and words of The Worshipful Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Wagner.
More comments from the audience.
‘The performance was skilfully put together, and Gareth’s guidance through the evening tied all the threads together with ease. The performers shone and it was beautiful to see how individuals could shine through while watching a true company perform. All a reflection on how wonderfully SiD hold and guide your work.’
‘I left feeling light and energised for my journey home, which journeyed through the sunset and then I got to spend time with the full Stag Moon which was orange, huge and low in the sky – it felt like it was guiding me home.’
It is our funders who have made this event possible. We would like to acknowledge the support of The True Colours Trust, Shropshire Council , Arts Council England, EnergizeShropshire, Telford & Wrekin , Actio Shropshire, Fabric, Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College,The Basil Houghton Memorial Trust, Shropshire Community Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund.
.All photographs are beautifully taken by Ming de Nasty, more images will follow soon
We believe passionately that dance makes a positive difference to people’s lives and we love creating opportunities for people to dance and move together.
We are lucky to be part of an amazing dance community who have danced through so much together.
We are aiming to raise £15,000 between now and the end of February to ensure that SiD continues to flourish and offer inclusive dance experiences for so many.
Any support you can offer us really will make a big difference.
We will share with you in the coming days ways you can help us fundraise and Keep SiD dancing
Please Join us for an evening’s celebration of inclusive, joyful and spell binding dance at the Walker Theatre, Theatre Severn on Saturday 13th July.
A Summer Dance Celebration features captivating performances and dance film from SiD’s participants & dancers plus a guest performance by the powerful and humorous dance theatre duet, Tom and Rob. The dances will be introduced and woven together by Makaton signing MC Sam Stephen.
SiD’s Thrive group in Performance at last years celebration
SiD prides itself in creating dance experiences which bring people together to celebrate artistry, connection, diversity, humour, and the power of dance. The evening’s show will be shared in an accessible, supportive and relaxed environment.
Tom n Rob in rehearsal
Please book your tickets by pressing on the link below. Alla ccess details are available on the Theatre Severn Website Access Pages
Tom N Rob on Tuesday 5th December 2023 10am – 4.30pm at the Gateway Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 1NB Cost – £30
Join Contact Dance Company for a one-day workshop led by Tom N Rob. Tom and Rob (Tom Bright and Rob Hemming) are dance theatre artists who make and perform dance, celebrating their shared love of dance, theatre, laughter and improvisation. Their combination of physical energy, partner work, great dancing and comedy has wowed audiences wherever they perform.
The workshop is open to Contact Dance Company dancers and people who are D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled, who have previous high level dance experience. We would particularly like to reach out to dancers based in Shropshire or the West Midlands who don’t regularly dance with SiD.
In the workshop, Tom N Rob will be sharing how they dance and make dances together through their non-verbal creative practice. On the day you will also get to watch their most recent short film ‘Happy Okay Mate’ which will inform some of the workshop content. The workshop will explore Partner skills, improvisation and creating work in duets and small groups. They will give an insight how to use these tools for choreography.
Contact Dance Company are an inclusive dance company produced by Shropshire Inclusive Dance. CDC meets to explore and experience dancing together, to express artistry through dance and to create powerful contemporary dance performance.
How to Book Please email on officesidance@gmail.com to request a place on the workshop, If places are available we will then send a booking form with payment details.
About The Venue. The workshop will take place at The Gateway, Chester Street Shrewsbury.
The Gateway is an accessible venue. There are a range of facilities including lifts to all floors, wide corridors and electrical opening entrance doors.
There are 3 Disabled Parking Spaces
The venue is close the train station and town centre car parks. There is some on street parking close to the venue.
For more information, or to talk to us about what you might need to be able to access the workshop, please email SiD’s Co artistic director Ray Jacobs at directorsidance@gmail.com or call him on 07817194644
A one-day workshop led by Tom N Rob On Tuesday 5th December 2023 10am – 4.30pm at the Gateway Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 1NB Cost – £30
Join Contact Dance Company for a one-day workshop led by Tom N Rob. Tom and Rob (Tom Bright and Rob Hemming) are dance theatre artists who make and perform dance, celebrating their shared love of dance, theatre, laughter and improvisation. Their combination of physical energy, partner work, great dancing and comedy has wowed audiences wherever they perform.
The workshop is open to Contact Dance Company dancers and people who are D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled, who have previous high level dance experience. We would particularly like to reach out to dancers based in Shropshire or the West Midlands who don’t regularly dance with SiD.
In the workshop, Tom N Rob will be sharing how they dance and make dances together through their non-verbal creative practice. On the day you will also get to watch their most recent short film ‘Happy Okay Mate’ which will inform some of the workshop content. The workshop will explore Partner skills, improvisation and creating work in duets and small groups. They will give an insight how to use these tools for choreography.
Contact Dance Company are an inclusive dance company produced by Shropshire Inclusive Dance. CDC meets to explore and experience dancing together, to express artistry through dance and to create powerful contemporary dance performance.
How to Book Please email on officesidance@gmail.com to request a place on the workshop, If places are available we will then send a booking form with payment details.
About The Venue. The workshop will take place at The Gateway, Chester Street Shrewsbury.
The Gateway is an accessible venue. There are a range of facilities including lifts to all floors, wide corridors and electrical opening entrance doors.
There are 3 Disabled Parking Spaces
The venue is close the train station and town centre car parks. There is some on street parking close to the venue.
For more information, or to talk to us about what you might need to be able to access the workshop, please email SiD’s Co artistic director Ray Jacobs at directorsidance@gmail.com or call him on 07817194644
Contact Dance Company performers spent two fabulous & creative days with Jo Fong, gathering ideas for a new piece to be premiered by the company at Theatre Severn in the summer.
Jo Fong invited the dancers into her physical, energetic, and dynamic style of dance.
How close can we dance together? How small can our dances be?
How much noise can we make while we dance. Can we all dance in this tiny space here?
Jo’s invitations to move were enthusiastically accepted by the company dancers. Dances of an incredible range were explored over the weekend, subtle small dances in pairs, wild chaotic dancers with the whole company in small spaces, moments of quiet tenderness, lots of laughter and applause, the work was beautiful, powerful and funny to witness.
Jo Fong is a director, choreographer and performer working in dance, film, theatre, opera and live art. Her eclectic career includes performances with DV8 Physical Theatre, Rosas (Belgium) and Rambert Dance Company.
Talking about her work Jo states’
‘The work creates shared experiences, as an audience member, performer or as participant. It seeks to invite an open exchange and immediacy through arts creation and opportunities that aim to promote and support inclusivity and the value of art to everyone’
Jo Fong and Contact Dance Company are a great match. Jo, during the workshop shared her observation of the incredible physical and creative connection shared between Contact Dance Company dancers. Jo likes to see the work she is making with Contact Dance Company, with all its diversity, connection, humanness and dynamism, as the future, the new normal.
Shropshire inclusive Dance 