Dance This Way

Dance This Way

The Dance this Way Manaton Group danced outside on their local village green, developing scores for improvisation.

 

"The Dance This Way project was a partnership between Dance in Devon and Teignbridge Council's Green Spaces and Active Leisure Department. It focused on creating opportunities for older people to access dance. We initiated and delivered many taster sessions from January 2009, in a variety of settings, and set up regular classes across Teignbridge. The classes were part of a rural health initiative to get people active; they had a very strong social aspect and offered a creative approach through contemporary dance. One of these regular classes in Dawlish (the self-titled "Dawlish Divas"!), have recently received £4970 from Awards for All." Katherine Nietrzebka 'Dance This Way' dance practitioner. 

 

This will ensure the continuation of their classes, and fund the creation and delivery of a dance performance which they will tour to local residential homes. The pilot for this saw the Dawlish Divas create and perform dances based around the theme of their local emblem the Black Swan; This ranged from a study of professional dance work, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake and a chair-based swan dance with flippers and masks, to a very cheesy but very fun dance to 'Shake your Tail Feather'!

 

Another regular class has grown in Kingsway, Teignmouth, who created 'Kitchen Dance' which was performed at the local Broadmeddow Leisure Centre. Other increasingly popular outings for the DTW dancers have been outside class performances, mainly influenced by Attik's Chance to Dance project. We have promoted dance at many sport and community events, such as the Sport Relief Mile and Summer Fun Festivals across Teignbridge.  The future will see new taster sessions set up in more Teignbridge areas, as well as the continuation and widened opportunities for existing groups." 

 

Watch a class with the Dawlish Divas - Click here

 

To read the latest press coverage click here

 

Introducing the lovely Jean Green...

 

Winner of the Volunteer of the Year 2010 catergory of Teignbridge Sports Personality Award for all her hard work for the Dawlish Divas!
 
Jean Green is the chair of Dawlish Divas. A dance group started by the Dance This Way project. Jean has spent many hours contributing to the dance group by leading meetings, helping with funding applications, and even making bunting for our dance tent! Jean is always smiling and is part of a backbone of core committee group members who are dedicated to ensure the groups continuation.

Along with her vice chair lady Christine Reeves, she has initiated a project called ‘Divas on Tour’. This project takes the joy, laughter and benefits of dance out to reach even more local people by visiting local residential home’s. Jeans previous experience of being a Matron at a care home shines through with her fantastic people skills and ability to find humour in all situations.

She prefers to be behind the scenes of the group, instead of performing, but always manages to make the group giggle with a joke or two! She is a very generous person and when thanked for her constant contribution she always replies, ‘I shall get my reward in heaven!’
 
"Jean is amazing and I feel very priviledged to know her. She makes a lovely lemon curd, and the only time I've heard her quiet is at her suprise 80th birthday party! She has me in stiches and is a complete inspiration". Katherine, Dance This Way Practitioner

 

Regular Classes & Workshops

Dennis Samuel , Buckland Tea Dances, pictured with Katherine Nietrzebka

 

 

 

Buckland Tea Dances

Dates and Times-

Where - Mary Rose Centre, Buckland, Newton Abbot

When - Third Sunday of the month, February 20th, March 20th, April 17th

New times - 1.30pm-2pm Teaching Basic Steps, 2pm-4pm Dancing

What - A selection of social dancing, led by Dennis Samuel. Fox trot, rumba, and a cheeky little barn dance sequence! Mostly open dancing but some taught sections.

"We want people to enjoy themselves, if you are a good dancer or a beginner, it doesnt matter. Come and see what its about, when the music starts, get up and lets give it a try.  We will help if you dont know the dance".  Dennis Samuel

Dance This Way Manaton Group

Where - Manaton Village Hall
When - Mondays, 2pm-3pm
What - Contemporary and creative dance. Come along and join us for gentle and fun sequences followed by choreography and/or improvisations.
All welcome, no experience nessecary.

 

Dance This Way Kingskerswell Group
 
Where - Kingskerswell
When - Thursday 9.45am - 11.15am
What - All welcome, no experience nessecary.

 

Dance this Way Dawlish Divas

Where - Dawlish
When - Wednesdays 2pm-3pm
What - All welcome, no experience nessecary.

For any more information, comments or questions please email dance.this.way@teignbridge.gov.uk or call Katherine Nietrzebka, Dance This Way Practitioner on 01626 215606

 

Katherine Nietrzebka, Community Dance Practitioner, Dance this Way
dance.this.way@danceindevon.org.uk
01626 215606
Part time, Mon am, Wed, Thurs
Teignbridge District Council Offices, Newton Abbott
Dance in Devon working in partnership with Teignbridge District Council, Active Devon, Sport England and DCMS