Last weekend, I went to see the joyous jukebox musical & Juliet for the third time and started to wonder why I hadn't yet reviewed it. I saw it once on its preview run at the Manchester Opera House, and once more on its official opening night at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, so I... Continue Reading →
From some angles, it can appear that the world is one massive dumpster fire right now. The news is filled with political doom and gloom, freak weather incidents are on the rise, the rich are getting richer whilst the poor suffer horribly, and tolerance of others seems to be in extremely short supply. Much like... Continue Reading →
An email from trade publication Lingerie Insight popped up in my inbox on Monday, and the headline 'Lingerie designer makes Cabaret comeback to dress Louise Redknapp and Will Young' caught my eye. The article reported that the designer and founder of Raine & Bea, Jenna Barnes, made costumes for Cabaret in 2013 and was invited... Continue Reading →
Every wanted to start the year with a new challenge? Ever fancied getting on stage to perform, but don't have much time to commit to rehearsals beforehand? Well, I know a bunch of people who have answered yes to both of those questions and are doing something about it. They'll be taking part in this...... Continue Reading →
This morning, Irreverent Dance founder Amanda Leon-Joyce announced the closure of the dance community's home, IDHQ, as the spectre of redevelopment rears its ugly head. This sad news was a shock to this close knit community of people who, before discovering ID, mostly thought they would never identify as a dancer. But the support that... Continue Reading →
Having just signed up to do even more pointe classes - because I want to wear those shoes again and I'm determined to improve this year! - I thought that some of you lovely people might also be keen to start the year by getting your body moving in an encouraging and inclusive environment. If... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Yesterday saw the opening of Europe's first gender-neutral community dance studio. After Irreverent Dance's successful Kickstarter campaign at the end of last year, followed by months and months of legal wranglings, property searches, stress, tears and tireless work from many wonderful people, Amanda and the ID Board made the formal announcement on 29th May that... Continue Reading →
My weekend was spent with a group of wonderfully enthusiastic, friendly and supportive people all dedicated to sharing the joy of their inclusive community with even more people. There were snacks and clipboards, sequins and sewing, waiting and dancing: This is the story of the Irreverent Dance Showcase weekend. Back in May, when I finished... Continue Reading →
This is the last of four posts relating to the Irreverent Dance Kickstarter. Over the last month I have been explaining some of the reasons why this inclusive and welcoming community is so essential - to the people within and those who have yet to discover it - and why dance is far more important... Continue Reading →