Pop-up dance workshops get people moving in Ipswich parks

DanceEast organising interactive socially distanced dancing in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Interactive dance performances entitled The Dance WE Made were staged in Holywells Park and Christchurch Park, completing a series of summer dance workshops around the town.

People from DanceEast and members of the public doing interactive socially distanced dancing in Christchurch Park Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Special guest was Tim Casson, artistic director of dance theatre company Casson & Friends, who is currently an associate artist with DanceEast.

Sofia and Matilda at the DanceEast workshop in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

He said: “We’re really excited to be back in Ipswich and working with DanceEast to create more dances with the public. It puts a smile on people’s faces to see dancing in the park.”

Matthew Winston at the DanceEast The Dance WE Made event in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Members of the public were invited to share their own dance moves, creating original choreography in collaboration with the professional dancers. Videos of the completed dances will be posted on The Dance WE Made YouTube channel.

Tasha and Laura at the interactive dance workshop in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

DanceEast began its free socially-distanced interactive workshops in response to the coronavirus pandemic, in styles including hip-hop and contemporary.

Andrew Geffr�-Gardiner at the DanceEast workshop in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

MORE: Family fun day with Tik Tok dancesChrissie Moore, DanceEast programme manager, said: “Our Dancing in the Parks project has been a great opportunity to engage with the wider public that we otherwise might not have been able to reach during Covid-19.

Emilia Ramsay at the DanceEast event in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

“It’s been such a pleasure to deliver fun and exciting socially distanced activity and bring people together through dance. I can’t think of a better way to bring this project to a close than creating a new ’The Dance WE Made’ for Ipswich with Casson & Friends.”

Kaia Goodenough at the DanceEast workshop in Christchurch Park, Ipswich Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Although the live events are now finished, online dance classes are being offered live from the Jerwood DanceHouse. For more details, visit the DanceEast website.MORE: Hit West End show coming to Ipswich in 2021

Chrissie Moore, DanceEast programme manager Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Chrissie Moore, DanceEast programme manager Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)