SiD’s Contact Dance Company have been creating some beautiful dances, exploring moving together and improvising with poles through the guidance of our co artistic director Rachel Liggitt.
We have been enjoying focusing simply on improvisation, building a growing awareness of how we listen to our own bodies and each others as we dance in the moment.
Images by Ray Jacobs
SiD’s ‘Thrive Inclusive Dance Class’ is a great experiance for people who love dancing and moving together to music.
We would like to invite more people who love dancing and music to come and join us.
Thrive is a place where people can really be themselves, enjoy dancing, move to the beat, connect with other dancers and be together.
We meet on Wednesdays at the Hive in Shrewsbury from 1.30pm – 3pm
Participation is through booking in advance. If you are interested in being part of this inclusive class please contact us and we can arrange a free taster class for you.
Contact us via a Facebook message, phone 07788577040 or email officesidance@gmail.com
(Images by Ming De Nasty)
A huge welcome back to all out dancers and participants in our Create, Thrive and Contact Dance Company classes. We really look forwards to seeing and dancing with you at all Hive Shrewsbury beginning this Wednesday 29th April 2026.
This term we will be exploring the art of dancing in the moment, listening to how we want to move, dancing on our own or with each other, making it up as we go along while responding to the music dancers around us. ( Images by Ming de Nasty)
Chloe has danced with SiD since its inception in 2012 ; she is a very integral part of the SiD family. Her fantastic dancing, friendliness, creativity, love of dance and commitment to SiD have really shone. We are so thrilled that she is part of our Contact Dance Company. Chloe often attends classes alongside her father Kevin, who is also a dancer with SiD. It´s fantastic that we have a father and daughter dancing with us.
As well as dancing with us regularly and performing in many of our shows Chloe has joined us in teaching workshops as part of our residencies with Maynard in West Wales.
We asked Chloe the following questions about her time with Shropshire Inclusive Dance
What does dance mean to you ?
Dance has always been a huge part of my life. I spend a lot of time dancing and thinking about dance. Dance comes into my life throughout my day, even when I’m closing gates, or collecting firewood, I am dancing.
How do you feel about being part of Shropshire Inclusive Dance and Contact Dance Company ?
I love being part of SiD and Contact Dance, they feel like part of my family.
I enjoy dancing with all my friends at SiD. We have a fun time together. These friendships are amongst my most important relationships. I love and respect SiD artists and teachers. I love partner work with other SiD dancers.
My favourite dancing memories with SiD
Performing in SiDs showcases.
Dancing in the duet ‘Father and Daughter’ both with my dad and Ray performing the father role.
What do you enjoy about performing?
I love the calm of preparing for a performance and it feels fantastic afterwards
What other things do you enjoy ?
Walking in the woods and dancing in the garden
What are your ambitions for the future ?
I would love to do more dancing and more acting. I feel that dance makes me a better person.
‘Welcoming the Dawn’ at the FEAST – Theatre Festival in Malvern
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.
Contact Dance Company’s trio ‘Welcoming the Dawn’ was performed at the Redwood Centre in Shrewsbury in partnership with Arts for Health at Midland Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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 !
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 !
With thanks to our partners
Shropshire Community Foundation
Shropshire Adult and Community Education
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, Energize Shropshire, 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
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 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.
Please book your tickets by pressing on the link below. Alla ccess details are available on the Theatre Severn Website Access Pages
Please press this link to book tickets
Doors open 7pm
Show start time 7.30pm
Finish 9.30pm
Cost
£12 Adults over 18
£6 Children
We look forward to seeing you and dancing for you !
Join Contact Dance Company for a one-day creative & skills based dance workshop led by Anjali Dance Company. This workshop offers an exceptional & inspiring dance experience. It is open to dancers who are D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or non-disabled people who have dance experience.
Anjali dancer Lauren Payne will perform a co created duet alongside dance artist Beatrice Perini. They will then deliver an inspirational workshop based on the themes contained in the work using Anjali’s team-teaching methodology.
Anjali Dance Company celebrates the extraordinary creative potential of people with learning disabilities. Established in 1995, Anjali Dance Company create and perform dance works, in collaboration with world-class choreographers.
Anjali have performed at venues throughout the UK, including the Royal Festival Hall, Sadler’s Wells and the Royal Opera House in London and at venues in Europe and Mexico.
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 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 Hive is a friendly accessible venue in the heart of Shrewsbury. The venues facilities are all based on the ground floor, entrance into the building is via a ramp set up on request.
Any Questions
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 07788577040 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Shropshire inclusive Dance 