A one off FREE workshop for those in Orkney aged 55 years and over is being held on Wednesday 12th June between 10.15 and 11.45am. No experience in dance is required.

The workshop takes place at The Move Orkney Studio at Hatston – where the Squash Court building was. It will be led by Penny Chivas and Stephanie Hellewell Baird.

The Orcadian Dances project was successful in applying for funding and received the BEYOND Spring Award 2024.

Beyond is a seed funding initiative, which aims to nurture, support and kick-start artist-led projects and practices that take dance beyond the studio to connect more people to dance, while also fostering collaboration and artistic community within TWR (The Work Rooms) membership.

Orcadian Dances brings together dance artists Stephanie Hellewell Baird and Penny Chivas 

Having first connected in 2023 when Penny toured ‘Burnt Out’ to Orkney, this collaboration facilitates learning and exchange between two experienced artists, bringing together Orkney-based Stephanie’s deep rooted community connections made through her dance work across Orkney, teaching generations of participants over the past 20 years from Sanday to Shapinsay, Westray to Hoy; and Glasgow-based Penny’s teaching and facilitation practice which has seen her travel and work across several continents, bringing and adapting CI, somatic and inclusive dance practice to a wide range of people, places, and contexts, indoors and out.

Through Orcadian Dances, Penny and Stephanie hope to establish a model for cross-collaborative exchange, which will enrich the diversity of the dance offering in Orkney through co-teaching with visiting artists.

Come join Stef and Penny for what will be a fun workshop looking at somatic movement, contact improvisation and mindfulness meditation.

Funded by the Beyond fund from The Workrooms at Tramway. https://www.facebook.com/100000175479178/videos/1537929870269419/