Hold Your Own: A Day of Elders’ Dance

The dancers, all aged 50+, who took part are as vibrant, courageous, and exuberant as any other dance company, regardless of age or ability.

They have been empowered by their choreographers to collaborate, to push for excellence and to grow in confidence.

The dance pieces and films we programmed for the day are just the beginning of a network for elders’ dance in the midlands.

The ambition is to connect with groups, festivals and choreographers nationally in the year ahead.

Hold Your Own featured three Elders’ Dance Performances – from Out of Whack, Dancemind’s Dance Elders’ and The Hub Dance Company.

It also included a selection of short films, featuring dancers aged 50, along with a couple of workshops led by the company choreographers.

It was a full day of sharing practice, networking and celebrating what it means to be a part of such a dynamic network of older dancers.

The energy and passion that was evident throughout the day was only rivalled by the dedication to artistic practice from all participants.

These are not just participants from dance classes aimed at the over 50’s, these are Elders’ Dance Companies, filled with people who have skill, passion and dedication to creating high quality performances pieces.

About Out of Whack

Out of Whack is a performance company for those aged 60+ from Warwick Arts Centre. The Out of Whack dancers created a site-specific piece for the Hold Your Own day that was choreographed by Molly Wright in response to ‘The Reason for Painting’ exhibition in the Mead Gallery. This was a collaborative process with visual artist, Molly Cleaver.

Out of Whack will continue to rise to the challenge of creating performance pieces that provoke discussion by producing choreography that reflects the individuality of the group while focusing on what is important to them.

We hope to be a part of some Elders’ Dance Festivals in 2024 and are currently creating a showreel to show the scope of the group.

About Dance Elders

Dance Elders is a Dancemind programme funded by Arts Council England run in partnership with Royal & Derngate. It offers exciting dance opportunities for those over 60 in Northamptonshire.

They celebrate age by awakening curiosity and playfulness, offering an opportunity to rediscover new skills and possibilities through movement.

The Performance Company is a dynamic class for those who enjoy the challenge of learning contemporary dance techniques and working together to choreograph and create performances for audiences. The group is co-delivered by Lucy Knight and Tina Heeley.

About The Hub Dance Company

The Hub Dance Company are a creative movement group for Lichfield dancers aged 50+.

Drawing from the vast experience and generosity of the performers they confront notions of how older people are presented as dancers.

They explore a practice that encompasses a somatic approach to improvisation and empower dancers by giving them the tools and confidence to not only perform set choreography, but to embrace their own process.