DanceEast has something for everyone this spring, including a host of activity for people over 50. Join in one of our upcoming workshops or try out a class, it’s a great way to improve your fitness, feel part of a community and meet new people. Get inspired by watching a performance, bring a friend along, and discover the joy of watching live dance here in Ipswich.
During the week, we have a range of classes for you to try out. On Monday’s, we offer an Afternoon Ballet class. Our Afternoon Ballet class is open to all levels, no previous dance experience is required. This class welcomes participants of mixed abilities and modifications can be offered for each exercise. On Tuesday evening, we offer Over 50’s Contemporary, a fun and engaging contemporary dance class delivered in a supportive, structured session. This class is open to all levels from non-dancers to experienced dancers. We also offer Hatha Yoga on a Wednesday evening and Ashtanga Yoga on a Saturday morning, as well as Pilates on a Tuesday evening, these classes are a great way to find relaxation amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you live outside of Ipswich, check out our Movers Classes, which are run by independent dance artists around Suffolk. Movers classes combine movement and a cup of tea to provide a positive and creative outlet for people over 55 in Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Debenham and Lowestoft.
Later in our spring season, we are delighted to welcome back Mark Bruce Company. They are offering a Watch Dance Class and Over 50’s Workshop to accompany their production of Frankenstein. Tailored for dancers over 50, the workshop will involve a technique class followed by repertoire from the production. Alternatively, sit back and enjoy their Watch Dance Class, which is an open house, professional company class experience – where you and can sit and simply observe, or get creative and draw!
Did you come and see Home from Home in the autumn? Perhaps it inspired you to want to get dancing, and you can, as HOST returns to DanceEast in May. Shining a spotlight on the ever-evolving network of older community dancers, dance groups and companies in the East of England and beyond, HOST brings dancers together, along with artists, practitioners, and choreographers, to move and talk in a programme of workshops, presentations, discussions, and performances.
This Spring, we have an exciting line up of performances from new and returning companies to discover. Lila Dance’s Fault Lines pairs dance with immersive digital imagery, evocative writing, and cinematic music, to explore the earths changing landscape, through sun-scorched plains, roaring waves, cityscapes, and smoking forests.
Choreographer Joseph Toonga and his company Just Us Apprentice Company brings Limited Edition, a new commission of works from leading UK Hip Hop Dance artist and companies to DanceEast this Spring. This event includes a special commission from internationally acclaimed Krump and Hip Hop artist Bruno Duarte hailing from Rio, Brazil.
Wrapping up our Spring season at the end of April, we are excited to have Akram Khan’s much-loved production of Chotto Desh return to the Jerwood DanceHouse. Kathak and contemporary dance are mixed with spoken text, dreamlike animation, visuals, and specially composed music, to create an enchanting and poignant dance-theatre experience all ages to enjoy together.
Discover what’s on throughout the spring here.
