Brighton August- November 2017

We had an amazing time with you all in Brighton. Such warmth and joy and heart! We remember the first time we tried the Dad Conversation (which wasn’t a scene by the way before you came along!). You dads really took the idea and ran with it, sharing such personal, hard, joyful and beautiful experiences. This scene was a moment many audience members remarked on, they had not heard men being so candid and thoughtful about fatherhood before.

Another highlight was seeing everyone develop their own approach to Circle Dance; Nora totally going for it, Vangee letting herself go and Terry dancing to Raspberry Beret. And we loved the Kids Scene; giving the younger members of the team a chance to rock their moves and shed more light on their families (Solomon likes to play on the Wi U but Jason doesn’t!) And I think it’s safe to say that Lisa’s song gift will always be with us when we hear The Flaming Lips!

You recreated the show with us, Taps and Leanings didn’t exist before we say you guys dance together! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Helena, Alexandrina and Rosie xxx

“I have no experience whatsoever with dance. And I just thought Dad Dancing? Yes, whatever that is, I can definitely do that.”

“It is joyous to move with other people. Particularly with people of different ages. People tend to dance with their own peers and age group. It’s a brilliant way to express yourself. People say ‘I can’t do this or that’. But everybody can. Everybody can express themselves in movement. It may not be to a professional standard, but that doesn’t matter. It’s not important. It’s what’s inside you that’s important. And to share that joy, we’re able to do that. It’s a great thing to do. It’s a great opportunity.”

“I remember being really reserved at the beginning of the first session. By the end of the first day I was kind of understanding how the discussion, the reflection, the writing and the dancing all knitted together. Even by the end of the first session I went from 10% open mind to about 90% open mind because I just felt I can trust these lovely dancers and go with it. And now I’m doing street dancing for over 50’s that I would never have imagined doing! I’m enjoying that group participation in a different way. So its a happy ending.”