The lighter evenings and sunny days are getting us excited for spring. We have a full programme of exciting dance for young people and their families to get involved with! This season at DanceEast, we have plenty of opportunities for children and families to get involved, come and watch a performance, try out a dance class or pop in for a coffee!
For the littlest of dancers and their parents, we have a new Mummy Movers class. Suitable for babies 8 weeks and onwards, this class is an environment where you can dance your heart out, bond with your little one, and build meaningful connections with other parents. Tutor Keisha Cardy is professionally trained in safe babywearing so can advise and support with carriers. Book your place here.
Bring your toddler along to an interactive and gentle style of performance this spring, with The Sticky Dance; an interactive, engaging, and colourful drop in performance for children and their families. They invite you to tape, stick, and groove, to see and feel sound or to be still, watch, and listen. Audiences are encouraged to explore freely, choosing how they engage, and turning the rules upside down. Find out more and book a morning slot or afternoon slot.
We also have our weekly Dance for Tots classes on a Monday and Saturday, which are the perfect way to introduce your little ones to the joy of dance in a creative, fun, and stimulating space. Suitable for ages 1 – 4, our tots classes aim to develop balance, coordination, and imagination. If you live outside of Ipswich, check out our weekly Mini Movers classes which run in Hadleigh and Thurston at the local libraries.
Back by popular demand, Baby Loves to Boogie returns this April, so grab a group of friends and join us on the dancefloor (fun for both children and parents!). Led by Lizzie, our early years disco queen, you and your little one will explore all the beauty and excitement of the season, from blossoming flowers to prancing lambs and hopping bunnies. This is an event suitable for children aged 0 – 5 years and their adults to take part in.
Perhaps you’re just passing by the Jerwood DanceHouse, why not pop in for a coffee and enjoy our family friendly corner! We have a chalk board by local artist Inky and the Bears, plenty of toys, a dressing up rail and books generously donated by Suffolk Libraries.
For children aged 4 – 11, take part in our Junior Creative Dance, which inspires children to use their imagination to boost their dance skills. They also offer children the opportunity to try out a variety of different dance styles, including contemporary, ballet, musical theatre, and street dance. Book a class here.
During the half term, DanceEast and Suffolk Libraries invite you to bring your favourite storybook characters to life in Once Upon a Dance, an exciting day of workshops led by dance artists, storytellers, and theatre practitioners. Taking place on Tuesday 20 February, for ages 4 – 11, let your child’s imaginations run wild and get creative through movement during the half term.
Children and young people from low-income households may be eligible to access dance classes and Once Upon a Dance for free through the DanceEast Bursary Fund. Find out more about the DanceEast Bursary Fund and the necessary criteria here. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For ages 9 – 16, our youth Breakdance class is an upbeat, energised session. Dancers will cover the foundations of breaking technique, building on new skills and sequences throughout the term. Develop your dance skill set and learn new tricks! Youth Contemporary Level 1 and Level 2 is a fun, exciting hour of high energy dance for ages 11-16, designed to improve their contemporary technique, and develop choreographic skills.
During the half term, we are also running the DanceEast CAT Taster Workshops, which are ideal for young people aged 10 – 16 years who love to dance and would like to take their dance training to the next level. Whatever your previous experience of dance, come and take part in an afternoon of inspiring workshops! Find out about our free taster days coming up in the East of England here.
If you fancy watching a performance, we have plenty happening, kicking things off with Jasmin Vardimon Company’s ALiCE at the end of January. Wrapping up our spring season at the end of April, we are excited to have Akram Khan’s much-loved family friendly production of Chotto Desh returning to the Jerwood DanceHouse.
Discover the full season of what’s on this spring here. We hope to see you in the building soon.
