Big Dance Tuition Programme Hits Caithness This Week

18th January 2010

New Year kicks off with Body Currents exciting dance programme in Caithness

The New Year is in full swing and to celebrate, the Body Currents dance programme, run by Eden Court, is launching their new range of exciting classes in Caithness this week for all ages and all abilities.

Caithness-based Dance Catalysts, Jill Kingdon and Juta Campbell, who run the outreach programme in the area and host each class, have compiled a programme full of diversity that would make Len Goodman proud.

Kicking off with a dance taster sessions on Thursday 21 January at Reay Hall, and Friday 22nd January at Castletown Drill Hall, Jill and Juta will introduce beginners to a mixture of different dance styles including Street, African, Breakin', Salsa and Rock'n Roll. The classes are aimed at everyone from six to ninety six no matter what the skill level.

Saturday 23rd January will see a Day of Dance at Mey Hall, where the Dance Catalysts will be teaching a variety of different dance styles including Hip Hop, Salsa, African, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Creative Dance. Starting at 10:00am and running through until 3:00pm, the day will be full of fast-paced fun for all the family.

On Monday 25th January, Jill and Juta will host the first parent and baby taster session at Lybster Community Hall. Aimed at little ones aged from birth to 24 months, the class will give Mums and Dads the chance to dance and move with their baby to playful tunes and nursery rhymes. There will also be Parent and Baby taster sessions in Wick on Tuesday 2nd February and in Thurso on Monday 8th Feb.

Jill Kingdon, Dance Catalyst for Caithness, says: "Juta and I have put together a fantastic programme of dance workshops, events and classes together for the entire spring term. With the UK going dance mad in the New Year - the Dancing Queen diet on GMTV, So You Think You Can Dance on BBC 1 and Got to Dance on Sky it's great to be able to bring such a varied programme of dance to the area through Eden Court's Body Currents. The classes are aimed at everyone - no matter what your age or ability so there really is no excuse not to join in! We are looking forward to seeing lots of new faces and repeat 'students' as the weeks move on. We are sure that through Body Currents the area will find a new enthusiasm for dance!"

Body Currents is a dynamic collaborative dance workshop and performance project which uses a range of innovative and imaginative techniques and approaches to provide a range of dance events and workshops with the overall aim of contributing to the improved health, wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence of residents in four regions throughout the Highlands and Islands.

Each of the residencies will culminate in a large-scale outdoor performance event during the first half of next year. For Caithness, this will take place at Lybster Harbour.

The New Programme of taster sessions in Caithness is as follows:

Thursday 21 January, Reay Hall

-16:00 - 16:45 Mini Groovers (6-8 years) Learn the dance moves to the songs from High School Musical. Cost £1

- 17:00-17:45 Street Funk (9 - 12 years) Cost £1

- 17:45 - 18:45 Just Dance! (13 - 17 years) Street, African and Breakin'. Cost £1

-18:45 - 19:45 - Adult Just Dance! (18 years +) Contemporary dance basics with a Salsa & Rock n' Roll flavour. Cost £1.50

Friday 22 January, Castletown Drill Hall

- 16:00 - 17:00 Just Dance! (13 - 17 years) Street, African and Breakin' Cost £1

- 17:30 - 18:30 Adult Just Dance! (18 years +) Contemporary dance basics with a Salsa & Rock n' Roll flavour. Cost £1.50

Saturday 23 January, Mey Hall

- 10.00-14.00, 6-8 years & Adults (18+)

- 12.00-15.00, 9-17 years

Under 18s: £1 per session or £2.50 for all three

Adults (18+): £1.50 per session or £4 for all three

Monday 25 January, Lybster Community Hall

-10:15 - 11:00 Parent and Baby Class (birth - 24 months) Cost £1.

Tuesday 2nd February, Wick, venue t.b.c.

-10:15 - 11:00 Parent and Baby Class (birth - 24 months) Cost £1.

Monday 8th February, Thurso, venue t.b.c.

-10:15 - 11:00 Parent and Baby Class (birth - 24 months) Cost £1.

Please book your place in advance and pay on the day. Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing and soft-soled shoes and arrive 15 minutes before the class in order to register. Contact Jill Kingdon on 07824960529 or email jkingdon[AT]eden-court.co.uk or Juta Campbell on 07901753646 or email jcampbell[AT]eden-court.co.uk to book your place and for further information on the entire Body Currents programme.

The Dance Catalysts for each area are:

Lochaber -Will Thorburn

Skye & Lochalsh - Lorayne McLucas and Alex Emerson

Caithness - Jill Kingdon and Juta Campbell

Badenoch & Strathspey - Fiona Fyfe & Julia McGhee

For interviews, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 07834 871707


About Body Currents
Body Currents is a collaborative dance project funded by the Scottish Arts Council Inspire Fund, a National Lottery fund aimed at encouraging the people of Scotland to participate in the arts, The Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the European Community Highland and Cairngorm LEADER 2007 - 2013 Programmes and The Robertson Trust. (- I moved this up from below as the two statements were quite similar)

Body Currents will take place across four Highland communities from September 2009 until July 2010

Body Currents will be delivered by the Body Currents Dance Partnership - Eden Court Theatre, The Highland Council and plan B Dance Company. In Skye & Lochalsh Body Currents will be delivered in association with Skye Dance.

Body Currents large-scale outdoor performance events will take place in:

Skye & Lochalsh - in and around Eilean Donan Castle
Lochaber - at Neptune's Staircase in Coal
Caithness - Lybster Harbour
Badenoch and Strathspey - shores of Loch Morlich