Join us at the Irreverent Dance Showcase!

Around about this time last year, I was getting ready to appear in the Irreverent Dance Showcase. A glorious celebration of what our bodies can do and what a community can achieve, this annual performance gives people who never thought they could be dancers a chance to show off the fact that… yes… yes they can.

I may not be dancing on stage this year, but I will be in the audience and here are some reasons why you should be too. Rather than me writing yet again about why I love the ID Showcase, I thought I’d ask some of the wonderful folk performing in this year’s extravaganza. So, this is what ID means to them and why being an audience member will mean that you get to play a part in something very important indeed.

“I love the fact that we get to be on stage as our true selves, celebrating each other and what we’ve achieved together. I love that we get to take the idea of a ‘typical dancer’ and turn it on its head, say no to conformity and find confidence in each characteristic of our bodies that mainstream dance might frown on. I love it that last year, I presented as female and wore a floofy skirt and pink tights, but this year I present as male and nobody questioned why.

“Performing in a show where everyone is encouraged to be themselves goes beyond being in a supportive community. Irreverent Dance becomes a sort of family, and you find things out about yourself that you never thought possible, you find strength in your body in ways you never expected. Showcase isn’t just a chance for us to show you what we’ve been getting up to all year, it’s a chance for everyone to come together and remember that when you stop trying to change for other people, magical things happen.” (Ash)

“To me showcase has meant feeling like I have new friends in London for the first time in a long time; Feeling comfortable wearing something sleeveless for the first time in years; getting to be myself and be happy with loads of amazing people and brilliant dancers” (Anonymous IDer)

“I’m SO excited for Showcase this year. This is my second year doing it, and while I absolutely adored it last year, in some ways this year is even better because I have a better idea of what to expect (and thus look forward to!) on the day, I’ve had more dance practice, and I’ve spent more time and made more ties in the community. (This isn’t to say it’s not an awesome thing to be a part of as a newbie, it really is, or I wouldn’t have come back a second year! :D)

“Put simply, for me the Irreverent Dance Showcase is a chance to show off what I can do on stage without worrying that the audience is pre-judging me based on my weight/appearance, rather than what I can do. As a performer, it’s wonderful knowing from the get-go the audience is on your side.” (Cleo)

Seriously, how could you turn down the opportunity to be part of something so amazing? Whether you are thinking of joining ID’s dance classes and want to see what they’re about, or if you simply want to come along to a fun and inclusive LGBTQ+ event, grab yourself a ticket now and show your support. Even if you can’t make it, we’d love it if you shared this post to spread the word. Hope to see you there!

The 2015 Irreverent Dance Showcase takes place on Sunday 22nd November, with matinee (2.30pm) and evening (7.30pm) performances at LOST Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JU. Tickets are £16 for adults (£8 for children, matinee only) and are available via the Irreverent Dance website. The theatre is fully accessible with access to all floors via lift, wheelchair spaces in the theatre and accessible toilets.

Performance images by Matthew Watling and Jon Topper. I can’t remember who took the snap of me in the dressing room at LOST last year, as they used my camera, but thank you!