Go raibh math agaibh / Thank you all

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED OUR WORK THIS YEAR, IN YOUR MYRIAD AND HEARTFELT WAYS - BY ATTENDING PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS, WITH YOUR FEEDBACK, AND BY SUPPORTING US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND THE BLOG!

What an expansive year it’s been!

expandance had a full and exciting year in 2010 and we're looking forward to 2011! This year we performed a total of five new works in two countries, launched two new studios (Dublin and Wicklow, supporting our continued Skype rehearsals with New York) and even found time to have a baby (nice work Laurie.) We also brought three works made in the U.S. home to Ireland. Rachel's Tributaries was presented as part of Illuminating Artists New Works festival at TADA! Theatre, NYC and 3 months later we brought it home, performing it at 'Some expandance evening...' in Dance Theatre of Ireland. Christina's Chi'il Bel Sogno was also shown at DTI along with Making Change, now developed into a trio. Alicia and Laurie's duet little Time / little Space was performed at the Riverbank Theatre, Kildare, and at 'Block T' in Dublin. Rachel's Rock Om, with five new dancers, was shown at Webster Hall, NYC as part of their Quarterly Arts Soiree. And Alicia performed her solo 12 Steps at The George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow. It was a busy year of teaching too, with workshops for adults in New York, teenagers at Shawbrook and Riverbank Theatre, and Over 60s at VISUAL. We are so excited about everything 2011 has in store - see you there! In gratitude - Rachel, Alicia, Laurie & co.

12 Steps at George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Nov 2010

What lovely things they say!

Alicia's 1st semester of the expandance Over 60s workshop in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre culminated there last week in a double performance - 'Neversaynever', performed by the group, and '12 Steps', a solo performed by Alicia. Here's what some of the workshop participants had to say about the experience:


I have thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and have learned so much. You are an inspiration and the
experience has been good for both 'mind & body'. I also like the way we exercise the different areas of
our body and it has to add to our overall well-being. - Marie

That was a great show you managed to get the ladies confident enough to perform in. Your enthusiasm
and encouragement was the only thing that would have given a lot of them the courage to perform on a
stage- for an audience.

I will be the first in to your next session - rarely have I come across a more enthusiastic and talented
Dance and movement Instructor with such patience, skill and good humour --just what us elderly ladies
need -- keep up the good work! - Betty


I found it a valuable experience, stretching muscles I had not realised were so tense until then. The
group were encouraged to extend themselves as much as possible and there was no pressure for
those of us less able .In that way you inspired confidence and emphasised that to enjoy the dance was
paramount.

It was also very affordable and including the cup of tea or coffee allowed the group to socalise. - Eilis

The next term of classes begins in January2011. Details will be posted here soon!

Dancing in the snow!

With 8 inches of fresh snow outside this morning I decided to take 12 Steps and make the first footprints of the day.  I couldn't resist!

Things have slowed down a bit since last week's show at George Bernard Shaw Theatre and our workshop at Riverbank Arts Centre!  With the hills covered in snow and no hectic class planning, choreographing, or performances until after Christmas I had time in our Wicklow Studio to practice.  No pressure, no deadlines, just bringing it back to where we started in 2006, meditation, improvisation, ie. honest movement.

On Monday my first session in the studio was difficult in the sense that my mind wanted to continue to plan and create and my body was moving in a habitual way, doing movement that was familiar and comfortable.  By the end of the day on Tuesday, things had changed.  I was able to quiet my mind and my body moved in new uninhibited ways.  You'll see in the video that this pressure-free time in the studio is wielding results!

See the video on our Facebook group. 

- Alicia