Members of a disabled dance charity are preparing to express themselves, at a performance at the Blackburn Empire Theatre later this month.
DanceSyndrome, a multi-award-winning dance charity is set to showcase its event, called Express ’24, to the Blackburn theatre on Sunday, March 17 at 3pm.
Each of DanceSyndrome’s local community groups, called the DS Collective, from Accrington, Chorley, Clitheroe and Preston have been invited to take part in this special event with a unique piece that they have developed together in their workshops.
The first act will combine those community workshop performances with a new DS Collective performance piece called “the sunken forest”.
Inspired by the Welsh legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod, harpist Eira Lynn Jones has created a concert suite of five pieces of music called Twilight Bells, Mererid’s Dance, Rising Waters, Forest Awakes and Moving Clouds.
The suite, accompanied by narration and movement by the DS Collective recounts this Welsh Legend and asks us all to consider the impacts of climate change.
The second part of the showcase will be a full-length performance of ‘SENse’ which the DS Collective previewed at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
SENse is described as “a truly inclusive dance performance” which is co-produced and co-choreographed by dance leaders with learning disabilities working in collaboration with professional dance artists.
Together they considered the idea ‘In a Big Brother world where it’s easy to feel as though we are constantly being watched, are we ever truly seen?’
The performance explores humanity’s need to be seen, felt and heard through the medium of dance.
Sophie Tickle, artistic director at DanceSyndrome said: “EXPRESS ’24 sees DanceSyndrome return with our first showcase event since 2020.
“It’s a vital opportunity for our dancers to present our work after the difficulties of the last few years. People with learning disabilities were hit hardest by the impact of pandemic.
"Performing in spaces like the Blackburn Empire Theatre gives our dancers a platform to create work about issues and themes that matter to them and present them to an audience in a professional theatre.
“It’s also a chance to communicate key messages about inclusion, teamwork, and achievement and to ensure people with learning disabilities have their voices heard.
"We hope members of the Lancashire community will come out and support their incredible work!”
DanceSyndrome is a multi-award-winning dance charity that was founded by Jen Blackwell, who has Down's syndrome.
Jen found it difficult to find opportunities in community dance that were accessible to people with learning disabilities. DanceSyndrome's ethos is that disability should never be a barrier to following your dreams.
All DanceSyndrome sessions are disability led, with people with learning disabilities taking visible dance leader roles to inspire people to see what can be achieved when we all become more inclusive.
The charity works across the North West offering weekly inclusive dance workshops, their own accredited leadership training and exceptional performances by the DS Collective performance company at a variety of events including the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
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