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
Watch this beautiful short film sharing how our SiD’s community of dancers created our show ‘Sunset to Sunrise’ and the impact it had on our dancers and the audience.
´Sunrise to Sunset´ was performed on July 10th at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury. A cast of 35 diverse dancers from SiD´s classes, groups plus our own Contact Dance Company performed this beautiful reflection of a day on earth.
It was an amazing event that bought us all together
Moments from the rehearsals and performance plus thoughts from our performers and audience were captured by filmmaker Calum Barre.
Enjoy the film !
Click on the image above to watch the film !
We feel the film captures beautifully what SiD is all about community, connection and the experience of dancing and sharing dance together.
Please share this post with your friends, colleagues and family !
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.
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
Wow what a night ! SiD is so proud of all the performers and dance makers who shared their work at this fantastic event. We are also so thankful to such a brilliant and supportive audience.
It was great to share our dancing at the lovely Theatre Severn, Walker Theatre, It felt like a full house and it was good for everyone to perform on a large sized stage with excellent sound and lighting.
The show was presented by the wonderful Makaton signing MC, Sam Stephens. Sam introduced dance films and performances by our regular classes, Create, Highflyers, Thrive, Darwin Dancers, our special guests Tom N Rob and SiD’s Contact Dance Company.
Envisaging and bringing the show together was 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.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank, the audience for supporting and witnessing the show, all the dancers, SiD’s dance artists and specialist dance support workers who worked so hard to support and create these works.
Big thanks to Calum Barre and Theatre Severn technical staff who created a beautifully lit stage and operated sound and lights, Hive Shrewsbury venue for supporting us throughout the programme of classes and dance making.
Also a shout out to our board members, Parent Carer Council Shropshire – PACC volunteers and Ellen Purse who worked hard to support our marketing of the event, and of course our funders who make so much of this possible. Vibrant Shropshire , Shropshire Council , Arts Council England, The Inclusive Communities Fund, Actio Shropshire, Fabric, Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College, The Mid Counties Co-op and William A Cadbury Trust.
We received some lovely comments from the audience
“The most wonderful evening. Heart full and beyond inspired personally, creatively, everything. What a community. So incredibly special. Huge congratulations everyone”
“The audience were blown away by the skills, the emotions brought together by intricate and sensitive movement, the sheer joy of expression, the fun and acrobatic unfolding of stories and uplifting music, all held seamlessly together by Sam”
“The work and enthusiasm of all involved was truly impressive. There was a palpable sense of creative spirituality throughout the performances. This is what dance is about and it was a privilege to be present”
All photographs below are beautifully taken by Ming de Nasty, featuring Create.Highflyers, Tom N Rob, The Encore, Darwin Dancers, Thrive and Contact Dance Company.
SiD shared a fantastic night of dance film and dance performances with a packed audience at The Hive in Shrewsbury.
Groups from SiDs weekly classes and its new project for 16 – 30 yr olds Darwin Dancers, shared amazing dances on film and on stage.
The evening culminated with the premiere of SiDs new professional touring piece ‘Here There Everywhere’
The new work choreographed by Siobhan Hayes and performed by Mervyn Bradley, Chander van Daatselaar, Beth Gardiner and Anna Belyavin was immensely enjoyed by the appreciative audience.
Below is a film of the evening created by Calum Barre capturing the unique atmosphere, commitment, skills and creativity of all the dancers involved.
Contact Dance Company performed Here There Everywhere to appreciative audiences at The Shrewsbury Food Festival. The work really captured the attention of festival goers, audiences literally stopped in their tracks to watch this powerful & unique work. The short film clip below was created by film Maker Calum Barre to support future touring of this eye catching inclusive dance show,
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.
Explore with SiD’ is offering a space for a limited number of dancers with and without disabilities to move and dance together in an accessible studio, led by experienced and creative facilitators in a safety distanced environment.
Explore with SiD will give us a chance to truly arrive in our own moving bodies, dance for ourselves and explore new ways of moving together.
Explore aims to foster creative links between dancers, opening new opportunities, ways of moving. and making dances.
Where and When
The dance workshops will take place monthly at The Hive in Shrewsbury on Wednesdays from 1.30pm – 4.30pm on ;
October 21stwith Rachel Liggitt
November 25thwith Lizzy Le Quesne
January 13thwith Annie Hanauer
About the facilitators
Rachel Liggitt– Rachel is a dance artist, educator & coach working within dance, health, education, community & cultural sectors. Rachel began her career as an independent dance artist and performer, collaborating with dance artists & small-scale dance companies in tandem with workshop delivery. Rachel is co-director of Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SiD), a practising artist and a trustee for Impelo, Wales.
Lizzy Le Quesne– A certified teacher of Skinner Releasing Technique, Lizzy teaches SRT as well as choreography and improvisation to professional dancers, dance companies and in conservatoires and universities internationally, as well as in community contexts, cultivating freedom, power, delicacy, passion and clarity in movement, and nurturing connections between the deep self, articulate body and the world.
Annie Hanauer– Annie danced with Candoco Dance Company from 2008-2014. She now works in the UK and France as a performer with Rachid Ouramdane / CCN2, Grenoble and Emanuel Gat Dance, and initiates her own creative projects and teaching as an independent, international artist.
Safe practice. In conjunction with The Hive venue, SiD are offering these workshops following government guidelines and professional dance advice on safe dance practise during the Covid Pandemic.
To book your place on any of these workshops please emailofficesidance@gmail.com, letting us know which workshops you would like to attend. We will then let you know if a place is available and update you on any safety measures needed at the workshop.
‘Explore with SiD’ is funded by Arts Council England
Dance Artists, Kris Saunders and Claire Reynolds participating in the AVS lab hosted by SiD – image by Ewen Macintyre
In the summer of 2019 eight dancers with and without disabilities from Contact Dance Company worked with director and choreographer Jo Fong to create a new dance work for touring titled ‘Being Seen’.
The dancers were Becky Keir, Anna Belyavin, Chloe Shepherd, Rachel Liggitt,
Andrew Kelly, Mervyn Bradley, Amal Neffi and Kevin Shepherd
Creating the work with Jo Fong was an intensive, joyful and rewarding experience for the company. We are very proud of the piece that was created and performed.
‘Being Seen’ was exactly that, a call for performers to be seen as their selves, powerful, vulnerable, poetic, playful, graceful and human
Below is a 9 minute edited version of ‘Being Seen’ filmed live by JTV Production at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, July 2019.
Contact Dance Company received very positive feedback from it’s premier at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury
‘I enjoyed the close proximity of the dancers and the sounds of the wheels. I liked seeing the dancers, the objects and the interactions between them. I enjoyed the connection between people and the real closeness that was conveyed’
‘It felt so personal, so raw, as if we were all part of it’.
‘Intricate, graceful, joyful and absolute pleasure to watch’.
Jo Fong’s work reflects the need in these times for people to come together. Her practice has been informed by notions of inclusivity, participation and is about being present, this moment, communication, listening, face to face encounters and the idea of forming community. This work will be more important then ever as part of the healing process after the collective trauma of the Covid-19 crisis.
Being Seen is available for touring throughout 2020, please contact the company for more details.
Shropshire inclusive Dance 