When we consider the current debate in the media and critical arena about the place (or rather lack of it) for older women in the arts, it is always cheering to see the more mature members of our society still participating in them. Kilmington Village Hall was the venue for such an event in the recent visit from Liverpool based dance company Growing Older (Dis)Gracefully.
The diversity of the company’s work was evident in the first two pieces in the programme – a charming tap routine to Singing in the Rain and Class, a more contemporary piece. The second showcased the talent of one of the more experienced dancers of the company, who performed an emotive solo in the opening of the piece. This was followed by Next, a witty look at the experience of waiting, which perhaps included a little too much over the top mime for my liking but was nonetheless entertaining. In particular, the interlude of a lone dancer on crutches was not only amusing and unexpected but technically impressive, in spite of the obvious physical disadvantage. The first half of the evening closed with Shimmer, an Indian styled piece full of wonderfully synchronised unison movement.
The second half began with a music performance by Christopher Benstead, a previous beneficiary of the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship Fund which the evening was in aid of. Benstead highlighted the international side of this organisation, which helps so many dancers travel abroad to study, with his unique use of ethnic instruments. The following dance piece, inspired by Anthony Gormley’s instillation Another Place on Crosy Beach, brought us back to England. The image of the waves moving amongst the sculptures was not only clear in the choreography, but also visually stunning. We were left with an extract from the company’s first dance Where Past and Future are Gathered, which was another witty take on issues of age.
The evening as a whole was most enjoyable, and was a credit to the work of community and charitable dance organisations.
Friday 3 July 2009
(Dis) Graceful Dance
The evening of Saturday 27th June will see a performance in Kilmington Village Hall by Liverpudlian company Growing Older (Dis)Gracefully. The amateur dance group was formed in 1997 for people aged 40 and over to devise and perform original dance work that celebrates and reflects their age and life experience. The group allows people with varying degrees of dance experience to participate in performances and the creative process.
This performance in Kilmington is given in aid of the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship Fund. The fund, which provides scholarships for dancers to travel to widen their knowledge and skills, was set up in commemoration of Berlin born dancer Lisa Ullman, who died in 1985. The fund has many ties with Devon, not least the fact that Ullman spent many years living in the area during the Second World War. Like many German dancers in the 1930s, Ullman left Germany to escape the constant threat and pressure from the Third Reich to make Modern dance a tool for propaganda. With the Ballet Jooss company, she was given refuge at Dartington Hall in Totnes by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst. Throughout the following years she taught dance classes in and around the Plymouth and Exeter areas.
The charitable fund was devised in memory of the dedication Ullman showed to travelling far and wide to teach classes and courses wherever she was requested. Over the past 22 years the fund has provided scholarships to 392 dancers to the approximate value of £178,000, with all money raised through fundraising events like the performance in Kilmington, and donations from the general public. This year the fund has awarded money to 20 people for travel to Ghana, Spain, Australia, America and many other destinations. Included in these is Nicola Northover, a dance teacher living in Bridport, who won an award to travel to New York to participate in the New York City Tap Festival.
The performance starts at 7:30pm and will include dance, live music and supper. Tickets are £10 and available from Archway Bookshop in Axminster and Hurford Stores in Kilmington.
This performance in Kilmington is given in aid of the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship Fund. The fund, which provides scholarships for dancers to travel to widen their knowledge and skills, was set up in commemoration of Berlin born dancer Lisa Ullman, who died in 1985. The fund has many ties with Devon, not least the fact that Ullman spent many years living in the area during the Second World War. Like many German dancers in the 1930s, Ullman left Germany to escape the constant threat and pressure from the Third Reich to make Modern dance a tool for propaganda. With the Ballet Jooss company, she was given refuge at Dartington Hall in Totnes by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst. Throughout the following years she taught dance classes in and around the Plymouth and Exeter areas.
The charitable fund was devised in memory of the dedication Ullman showed to travelling far and wide to teach classes and courses wherever she was requested. Over the past 22 years the fund has provided scholarships to 392 dancers to the approximate value of £178,000, with all money raised through fundraising events like the performance in Kilmington, and donations from the general public. This year the fund has awarded money to 20 people for travel to Ghana, Spain, Australia, America and many other destinations. Included in these is Nicola Northover, a dance teacher living in Bridport, who won an award to travel to New York to participate in the New York City Tap Festival.
The performance starts at 7:30pm and will include dance, live music and supper. Tickets are £10 and available from Archway Bookshop in Axminster and Hurford Stores in Kilmington.
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