In January Moving with Spirit (Movingwithspirt.blogspot.ca) is offering a four-session program called Dance for Mixed Abilities.
Facilitator Denise Nadeau, a dance movement therapist and somatic educator, has been inspired by the vision of Danceability International, an organization which is based on “cultivating a common ground for creative expression for all people regardless of abilities, economic status, age, or race.”
Asked by a friend who plays wheelchair basketball to offer a course, Nadeau decided it was time for her to affirm accessible dance, not just make a traditional dance class accessible to those with limited mobility.
She explains the difference, “How can dance be a forum for people to define themselves on their own terms rather than be defined by others?”
The four-session program is for people of all abilities who love to dance.
Each session will introduce some basic building blocks of dance and support exploration of the unique language of each person’s body. Participants will learn how to communicate non-verbally with a partner and a larger group, explore contact dance, and work in self-directed small groups to create short dance pieces.
The site is wheelchair accessible. The class will be at Royston Community Hall on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. from Jan. 7 to 28. Cost is sliding scale $5-10$ per session to cover costs, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register contact dnadeau@shaw.ca or phone 250-871-2401.