Body Wisdom project for over 50s
BODY WISDOM: WEA and Echo Echo partnership project for Over 50s
The Learning Age Project was launched by WEA in November 2008 in Derry and is already proving its dedication to offering accessible courses for those aged 50 and over with a dance and movement project facilitated by Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company.
WEA Director Colin Neilands explains the importance of the Learning Age Project: "WEA has been involved in researching the benefits of learning in later life for some time now. Bringing together academic research and our experience of working with older people across Northern Ireland, we believe that taking part in learning can help reduce isolation, keep the body active, stimulate the mind, pass on new skills and even contribute to better health".
"Current government policy concentrates almost exclusively on the young which unfortunately results in there being fewer and fewer opportunities for older people to engage in affordable and suitable learning. Through the Learning Age Project, the WEA is directly addressing the lack of educational opportunities available by providing a programme of learning designed with older people in mind".
The WEA and Echo Echo have a history of success together therefore the two organisations have teamed up once again to offer a unique and innovative project for those aged 50+ in the community.
The course is called ‘Body Wisdom' based on the notion that wisdom and experience is written in the skin, muscles and bones. It will address health and well being of the body with the wonderful benefits of gentle dance and movement.
Facilitator and Co-Artistic Director of Echo Echo, Steve Batts said: "This is a lovely opportunity for anyone who would like to engage in dance and movement in a context, which values the physicality of older people. It will combine a concern with the physical benefits of movement with the pleasure of activating the imagination."
He adds: "In most art forms there is a respect for age. For example the writer finds a voice in their fifties, the blues singer has only begun at 60 or the painter's art comes to its creative peak in the 70's. Unfortunately in dance the emphasis is strongly placed on youth and athleticism. This course will start from respecting the experience, knowledge and wisdom of older people."
Sinead Devine, Development Officer for LAP (Western Area) comments: "We are delighted to be working with Echo Echo again following the success of the "Making Moves" project in 2007. This is a lovely opportunity for anyone who would like to engage in dance and movement and learn more about how the body operates as we get older but in a safe and gentle way. I look forward to visiting the class and seeing what they are gaining from the experience".
This 8-week course is scheduled to begin in April and is free to participants. If you are interested in participating in this project please contact Sinead Devine, Development Officer LAP on 028 71 369947.
This project is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund.
Course details now confirmed:
Commences Friday 24th April for 8 weeks
10am to 12noon
at Echo Echo Dance Studio, Waterside Theatre - for directions click here
Early booking advised
Irish Times Review of Ripple Affect & images
Check out the review of Ripple Affect by Michael Seaver from The Irish Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0324/1224243312083.html
A selection of images from Ripple Affect by the talented David McClelland are available to view on his website:
http://www.davidmcclelland-photography.com/
Ripple Affect review on Culture Northern Ireland
http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=2536
DANCE REVIEW: Ripple Affect
Dive into a dance world of waves, hugs and harmonies and experience the Ripple Affect
Get ready to be transported to a world of waves and hugs with Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company's latest offering, Ripple Affect. Five dancers and three musicians create an ambience that will soothe your senses and temporarily transport you to a place of light and love.
The dancing begins with swirling, playful, prancing movements. The five female dancers bring to mind pagan celebrations, or wood nymphs on a spring day cavorting in time to the music. The sounds of the drums, flutes and wood instruments enhance the ambience and there's a real earthy feel to some of the sounds.
Throughout the whole performance you do lose yourself. The musical accompaniment in this production really sets it apart and draws you in. It's performed by The Henry Girls, who are Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin from Inishowen, County Donegal. (You may remember them as finalists for Ireland's Eurovision entry back in 2005.) They create an eclectic mix of sounds and play an impressive range of 15 instruments between them! These girls have many strings to their bow.
The first song with lyrics is High Hopes, a touching melody originally sung by Neil Halstead. The lyrics, with lines such as ‘You've got high hopes for someone good and strong, Someone good to hold you close', are in tune with the hugging and embraces that are embedded into the dance. The whole performance is a very intimate affair and sometimes uncomfortably so!
Director and choreographer Steve Batts found the inspiration for Ripple Affect from that most simple of interactions, the hug, and the imprint each hug leaves in your body, your memory. He believes everyone has the desire to be held or to escape and that there is a certain pleasure in visiting the feeling of loneliness as well as intimacy.
This is expressed through the movement in which we see the dancers in pairs with one left out in the cold, or one choosing to be on their own. A mixture of movements that sometimes rejoice in intimacy, sometimes reject it, and sometimes express exuberance at being part of a group.
The movements are very wave-like with the group joining together holding each other closely, huddling together, then branching out from the centre, flowing throughout the stage. Every part of the stage is used and the light throughout the performance is very effective, used to create a cold emptiness or a warm sunny brightness that calls to mind a summer's day.
When La Mer (The Sea) is performed the waves go wild. Sung in French by Lorna, this is a truly beautiful version. Lorna's voice lends itself beautifully to the French accent, and I much prefer her version to the original by Charles Trenet. The accordion adds to the wonderful European flavour and this song is one of the highlights.
The range of sounds created in this performance are remarkable. From tinkling piano sounds, drums, cymbals, fiddle, wood percussion, harp, accordion, I am amazed at how many instruments the Henry girls conjure up from their small space! And the range of music they play - Celtic, folk, blues, European, and a lot more besides. Haunting, cheerful, melancholy, carnival, even slightly deranged at times! A truly talented trio, the music is sublime. I prefer all their versions to the originals.
Ripple Affect can perhaps be best described as interpretative dance or poetic movement. The dancers convey their feelings intensely through their movement and it's not just about the dancing, their expressions also reflect the mood changes throughout. Ayesha Mailey stands out particularly, with an animated performance.
The rhythm in this dancing is sometimes feisty and fast, sometimes tender and slow and at other times the dancers are frozen like statues. This is a diverse piece of contemporary dance with a simple idea at its core - the power of touch and how a hug can affect and resonate. A simple, affectionate embrace like the humble hug can go a long, long way, as Ripple Affect so eloquently proves.
Anne-Marie Marquess
Ripple Affect plays at the Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast, March 18-19, Waterside Theatre, Derry, March 20-21, Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo, March 24, An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, March 26 and the Tallaght Civic Theatre, Dublin, March 29.
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