As the world marks International Dance Day, DanceEast is delighted to welcome today’s launch of a new website from EncoreEast – an inspirational company of community dancers over the age of 50.
A new website might seem a small thing to celebrate, but as we transition out of lockdown it represents a real success story and an important landmark in the company’s journey. EncoreEast was managed by DanceEast for 13 years until Covid-19 restrictions put a stop to in-person dancing. EncoreEast rose admirably to the challenge of enforced independence and the group started to meet regularly on Zoom – gradually arranging its own programme of classes and projects.
Committed to creating work for dance artists and supporting freelance creatives in these difficult times, over the last year EncoreEast has engaged Mary Davis, Caroline Mummery, Fiona Millward, Maria Ghoumrassi and Arielle Smith. The company is also looking forward to an exciting creative project with Russell Maliphant Dance Company, supported by DanceEast and Arts Council England.
EncoreEast’s recent film, Me, My Body and I, was a collaboration with DanceEast and Protein Dance – the completion of a project started before lockdown. Member-led creative activities include a research project involving dancing on Frinton Beach, Christchurch, and Holywells Parks, with more details available on the website.
EncoreEast have previously performed in the Jerwood DanceHouse, around Ipswich and at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. The new website is a visual testament to the resilience of the company and a compelling demonstration of the power of dance to move, motivate and make lives better.
Brendan Keaney, Artistic Director and CEO of DanceEast said:
“I am so proud of everything that EncoreEast has achieved over this last year and thrilled that the company has stayed together and carried on dancing. It is rather emotional, but enormously rewarding, to see a company that DanceEast used to manage grow into independence. The launch of EncoreEast’s website is indeed cause for celebration.”
Stella Eldon, EncoreEast member and website developer said:
“It was a joy to work with company members to pull together such a wealth of still and moving images that represented a surprisingly busy year, and to be reminded of the reason we wanted to stay together – to keep dancing!”
The website can be found at www.encoreeastdance.co.uk
