Dance project bids to connect

Professionally trained dance artist Katy Hewison, of Wetherby, is working with the town’s Arts Festival on Improplay, to introduce youngsters to contemporary dance.

“This is a great opportunity for children to create a new dance work and feature in a short film which will be produced from a set of community rehearsals online and outdoors from November 2020 to February 2021,” said Katy.

“I have been working closely with Wetherby Arts Festival on the new dance project connecting with young people during the pandemic.

“We had an outdoor day back in August, bringing dance and creativity back to Wetherby’s parks and now we are moving into the next stage of the project.

“We have a wonderful free opportunity for young people, aged three-11 years, to get involved.

Funded by Leeds Inspired, with sponsorship from Wetherby Lions and Renton & Parr, the project is hoping to get boys and younger children involved.

“We are bringing awareness of contemporary dance specifically improvisation and we are aiming to increase the numbers of boys and early years children participating in the art form,” added Katy.

There will be three groups - early years (children three-six years; boys dance (boys five-eight; young leaders (all seven-11).

Community Rehearsals -

The dancers will meet in Wetherby’s parks with groups of socially distanced young people once a month on a Sunday during November, December and January .

There will be an opportunity to join an online zoom creative session too.

Katy added: “During January’s outdoor meet up, a professional film maker will document the project to create a short film.

“And on Saturday February 6, 2021 the project will come together in a sharing day held at Wetherby Town Hall.

“This is a ticketed event for the public in an exhibition format, allowing small groups/families to experience the dance piece and view the film, photographs, and creative process at a safe distance.”

The recent pop up dance creation day saw Improplay, coordinated by Katy, work with Wetherby dancers Soul Roberts, Rachel Sullivan and Edward Jeffreys.

Over 100 people went to take part in the event and watch the socially distanced sessions in Wetherby parks.

Spaces are limited. Apply via email: [email protected] with the name and age of the child to register interest.