By the time you are reading this, the holiday bright lights and seasonal buzz will be fond memories, and it will be some weeks before winter’s thaw and the first snowdrops of spring are with us. Well, we say that just gives us more time to snuggle up and savour the new year’s best toasty treats. We are delighted to share with you some great ways to cheat that chill and warm those cockles.
1. Dare To Dance
You might have heard of “the Strictly Effect”, after Britain’s favourite television show, Strictly Come Dancing, but have you ever wondered why we humans get such pleasure from all things dance?
Growing scientific evidence shows deep-seated reasons for our excitement at watching others in motion and being in motion ourselves. Apparently, rhythmic movement stimulates and rewards important parts of our brain that other things just cannot reach. Adding music to the mix increases this effect, which may explain why watching others dance or taking part ourselves gives us a double dose of pleasure and food for the brain.
Whether you dare to dance or just wish to watch, you’ll find Britain’s 2017 dance scene packed with opportunities to indulge in this healthful habit.
The English National Ballet’s new season features a classic production of the spellbinding love story, Giselle; Rudolf Nureyev’s sumptuous version of romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet; and My First Ballet: Cinderella, everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautifully adapted ballet version for children aged three and up. This promises to be a very special treat for the whole family and will include children’s workshops in London and on its UK-wide tour. ENB also hosts an impressive programme of master classes, open rehearsals, ‘ballet buddy’ days and courses for all ages and levels.
The Barbican Centre presents its most ambitious dance programme ever, with dance-connected performances, exhibitions and screenings taking place across the year and a treasure trove of guest companies and artists from around the globe, across its stages. Highlights include the world premiere of the Royal Ballet’s Les Enfants Terribles as part of a weekend celebrating Philip Glass at 80; bold, original works from Ballet Black, an expressive feast from the London International Mime Festival and a unique season of films in the Barbican cinema with dance at their heart.
Sadler’s Wells brings the world’s best contemporary dance to its three London stages, with a vibrant year-round programme of tango to hip-hop, ballet to flamenco, Bollywood to cutting-edge modern. Although its current space was extensively re-designed in 1998, there has been dance and body-based entertainment on Sadler’s Wells historic Islington site for over 300 years. Back in the 17th century, visitors to Sadler’s Wells might be entertained by jugglers, tumblers, rope dancers, ballad singers, wrestlers, fighters, dancing dogs and, reputedly, a singing duck. Its 2017 season won’t include either dogs or ducks, but does have some splendid options for dance buffs.
Look out for the annual Flamenco Festival, setting the stage alight with exciting figures from the global flamenco scene and culminating in the Gala Flamenca. Japan’s astonishing Yamato drummers push their limits in a display of physical strength, using their whole bodies to produce thunderous music with drums weighing up to half a tonne. NewYork’s award- winning Dorrance Dance imaginatively takes the traditional American art of tap dance to a new level. With its astonishing use of electronic tap boards, the Company’s every step, swipe, and scrape sets off an element of sound, turning the stage into a musical instrument in its own right. Twenty years ago, Matthew Bourne turned the ballet world upside down with his unforgettable all male Swan Lake. Now he and his ever innovative company, New Adventures, debut a mesmerising Red Shoes, a ballet version of the classic movie, before heading out on an extensive UK tour.
If all those top taps and tango turns give you the urge to get up and boogie, there are dozens of dance options you can try for yourself in halls, churches and community centres around the country.
Apart from all that brain food we mentioned, dancing is a wonderful way to warm up in winter as well as meet new people, keep fit and have tremendous fun. Top of the stops for DIY dance lovers is Cecil Sharp House, the delightful North London headquarters of the English Folk Dance and Song Society for the past 80 years. With a wide variety of classes, workshops and events on offer, you can dance your way around the world with a choice of Irish Set Dance, Quadrille Club, Lancashire Clogging, Balkan, Morris Dancing and regular live band Celtic Ceilidhs, American Barn Dances and Filet Gumbo Cajun.
Further information:
Image: Tango Fire lights up Sadlers Wells, photo courtesy Sadlers Wells Press Team
Article by Judith Schrut, email Judith at judith0777@gmail.com
