Stockport Moves: Nobody Puts Stockport in the Corner – Everyone Gets a Chance to Dance
Gene Kelly said, “you dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams” which is really being showcased as Stockport Moves and continues to celebrate its tenure as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture. Here we highlight some of the fabulous dance projects taking place across the town.
From visits from the stars of Strictly Come Dancing to weekly tea dances – the magnificent ballroom at Stockport Town Hall provides the perfect venue for dancing of all genres and dancers of all ages.
Stars of Strictly step out to dance the waltz – Stockport actor Adam Thomas and his professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk put their best foot forward as they used the stunning venue to film their introductory segment for the popular dance competition and rehearse their waltz to Curtis Stigers’ ‘I Wonder Why’. Adam, who unfortunately didn’t get to lift the Glitter Ball trophy, and is starring in BBC school drama Waterloo Road, lives in Stockport borough and said:
“I live in this area, it’s so up and coming and there’s so much happening now. I have my bar Spinn Off in the historic Underbanks area of the town centre and it’s a really great place to be.”
Read the full story HERE
Afternoon Tea Dances for two and many more!
The weekly tea dances in the ballroom in Stockport Town Hall are a regular Wednesday afternoon fixture; as well as learning to dance, it’s become a great social occasion attracting a loyal crowd. It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned Salsa girl, a fiery fox trotter or an early waltzer, everyone is welcome! The ballroom bar is open for snacks, soft drinks or even a cheeky alcoholic beverage – what better way is there to end an afternoon of fun, music, and dance with new and old friends. And there’s no need to book, just rock up! Tickets are available on the door for £4.15 per person.
Join Revolution Dance for a fun filled evening of dancing!
Open to all, from absolute beginners to Northern Soul Spinners!
Every Wednesday evening in Stockport Town Hall’s ballroom, the evening starts with an absolute beginner’s jive class, no partner required, two left feet are welcomed! At no extra cost beginners will get a second bite of the cherry with a second beginner ‘refresher’ class later in the same night. Open to adults from 18 years to 80+ Years of age, there is Intermediate and Advance Classes too, which often incorporate moves from other styles such as Argentine Tango, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Latin Ballroom, even Zouk. Modern Jive has always been & will always be a fusion of dance styles, so you’ll never ever get bored.
Full details can be found here https://orlo.uk/9t3zV
“We find the more fun you have, the more you seem to learn.” Revolution Dance Instructor
Suzanne’s Dance Classes – for ladies of a certain age
Stockport resident Suzanne Brown, a 77-year-old dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher, is an amazing woman and an inspiration to anyone lucky enough to discover her amazing dance classes. So valued is her work in inspiring and motivating ladies to dance, she is the subject of a documentary and even featured on ITV! Suzanne’s ladies come together to dance, to have fun and above all else, to take time out and, for an hour every week, to just be themselves. It’s obvious that Suzanne lives to dance; it’s also clear to see that her ladies dance to enhance their lives. The documentary has stories of how the dancing group has helped them through life challenges – loss of a loved one, illness and divorce – and gives them friendship and community, all whilst keeping fit as well as showcasing their wonderful choreography and dance moves! Read more and watch the documentary HERE
Stockport School pupils welcome Chinese New Year with Chinese Dance Workshop
Westmorland Primary School in Brinnington prides itself on providing children with rich experiences as part of the school’s M.O.R.E. (memorable learning, oracy, reading and real experiences) curriculum. To celebrate Chinese New Year 2024, a dance workshop was held for a selection of year groups across school where pupils learnt a traditional Chinese New Year’s dance involving a dragon, parasols and fans. Throughout the session children were also taught key facts about Chinese New Year to further immerse them in the tradition and culture. All the children (and staff) enjoyed the workshop, loved dancing and became immersed in the whole experience:
- “I loved it! I loved the dragon!” Year 1 child
- “I liked it because I got to learn about new years in other countries.” Year 5 child
- “I liked it because of the movements we got to do especially moving like a dragon.” Year 1 child
- “I really enjoyed learning a new dance, facts and performing it in a parade.” Year 5 child
- All children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.
Following the Dance workshop, Year 5 have delivered a Chinese New Year assembly to parents, carers, and other classes across the school. Tom Lawler, PE lead at Westmorland, explained that the school aims to provide as much opportunity as possible for children to be active, promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing. At the end of the school day, children go home and share their experiences which promotes diversity and acceptance to the whole community, which the school is at the heart of.
Dance Like A Mother – Parent & Baby Classes
‘Dance Like a Mother’ is an award-winning babywearing dance class and is described as being the most welcoming, joyful & inclusive parent and baby class. For parents with baby’s aged eight weeks to two years. The classes are a chance to have fun, socialise and get active whilst dancing to awesome tunes. Bring your own carrier/sling or borrow one. Support in babywearing is offered from experienced and lovely instructors, so your little one feels safe and happy and gets lots of cuddly bonding time.
Dance Like A Mother’ are holding two x 15 minute taster sessions on Sunday 24th March at 11.45 and 12.30 at Viaduct Park, at the new Interchange in Stockport Town Centre as part of Stockport’s Town of Culture Weekender to celebrate and mark the end of Stockport’s time as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture. Find out more: Dance Like a Mother – Parent & Baby Class
“You made my maternity and bonding with my daughter so special.
I made lifelong friends and memories that are priceless” – Leanne
Join Ailsa McPhee, Stockport’s Daily Dancing Queen
Dubbed the ‘Dancing Banksy’ of Stockport, Ailsa McPhee has turned her daily dance routine and viral videos into a weekly dance project. Through Ailsa’s Daily Dance Project, she encourages and inspires everybody to come together in music of all varieties. Her project is more than just a class; it’s where through music and dance, everyone can get creative. Dancing has helped Ailsa to overcome emotional challenges and to channel her energy in a positive way. Watch her video to find out how you can join in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62J6ddNkSk
Join Ailsa McPhee for her Daily Dance session on Sunday 24 March, 12-2 outside Thread Bar in Stockport Market Place as part of Stockport’s Town of Culture Weekender
Company Chameleon gets Stockport Moving to celebrate Stockport Town of Culture
During the month of March and ahead of Stockport’s Town of Culture Weekender, Company Chameleon will put dance on the borough’s doorstep, welcoming the community to put on their dancing shoes and come together through creativity and movement. Activities to look forward to next month include two performances of Refuse, Company Chameleon’s new outdoor work, as part of the Town of Culture Weekender. Refuse is a powerful and moving dance performance, which follows the journey of six people seeking refuge. A play on words, the performance brings home the brutal reality of how people are refused and treated like refuse, when they leave their homeland in search of a better life.
Plus performances from Chameleon Youth
Movement for Mind in Stockport secondary schools; Movement for Mental Health with Arc and Mature Movers with Diane Amans. Read more about Company Chameleon’s series of community workshop for Stockport residents – Get Involved!
Stockport Dancing Schools prepare for 2024 World Cup event
Two Stockport-based dancing schools –Cheshire Theatre School and Vale Studios – are practicing their best steps ahead of this summer’s prestigious Dance World Cup 2024 finals, taking place in the beautiful city of Prague welcoming thousands of dancers from across the globe from Thursday 27th June to Saturday 6th July. The Dance World Cup finals is a fantastic opportunity for all the dancers to enjoy new experiences, different cultures and create life-long memories that will help shape their futures. Good luck to all the dancers from Cheshire Theatre School and Vale Studios! Read more HERE
Stockport’s Town of Culture Weekender – a weekend packed full of cultural opportunities where Stockport Makes, Moves, Sounds and Tastes – find out more HERE
