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arts: books

supported by family members and carers
who could engage using touch. After
months of not being together, reunions
were jubilant and emotional.
I recall watching one of our young adult
dancers, who has danced with us for many Exploring experiences through dance; left
years, return to the space sharing a new above and below: live performance
dance, one I had never seen before. She
shared moves that seemed to erupt from Next steps
deep within as she danced her story of her Our summer term is often synonymous
loss, her joy and her return. It was a with theatre preparations as we end each
privilege to witness her movements, which year with a fantastic celebration at
felt renewed by her lived bodily experience. Alexandra Palace Theatre.
As I watched, I was reminded of the July 2019 saw our last live show, our
words by Isadora Duncan, who is often annual celebration at Alexandra Palace
referred to as the mother of dance: “If I Theatre with over 70 dancers roared on
could tell you what it meant, there would by a joyful audience. Unfortunately,
be no point in dancing it.” Covid-19 restrictions halted plans for the We hosted our first icandance
Finding ways to be heard and seen is vital next two summer performances. graduation with dancers who have been
for people with learning disabilities and The need to gather as a community with us from the charity’s very beginnings.
dance and performance make this possible. remained as the annual performance offers Once again, we are having to adapt as an
Though the individual sessions offered each dancer and their family a visible organisation to the needs of our growing
dancers a transition from online dancing to celebration of a dancer’s yearly journey. dancing population as we create
being in person, it was apparent they were Responding creatively, we offered an opportunities for our alumni. This is not
all missing something – their peers. online celebration that allowed dancers to because the pandemic has required us to
Their online companions had share their dancing story as well as to react but because our community needs us
consistently accompanied them each dance together. Friends and family from to respond and rethink what is needed and
week as we navigated lockdown and around the globe were able to participate why. Working creatively allows us to do so
dancing online. It was evident that and our community could meet and and with a belief it is possible.
everyone was eager to reacquaint connect, albeit not in person. In summer 2022, we are planning to
themselves with each other in person. We also offered face-to-face perform at the Alexandra Palace Theatre
By the summer term, we were able to performances in small groups, so dancers again, but know we might need to adapt
return to face-to-face group sessions with were able to wear costumes and be to external problems that may arise and
the support of family members, carers cheered by family and peers while what our community needs at that time.
and masked team members. Once again, remembering they were part of a larger While dance is the visible product of our
the excitement was immense as dancers creative dancing community. gathering, it is our creative connections
returned to the group sessions. More than and loyal commitment as a community that
dance, they needed each other and the have given rhythm to our dancing story.
dance allowed them to express this. About icandance As we continue to navigate the
The awaited reunion was filled with difficulties of the pandemic, creative
leaps, turns and plenty of cheers as each icandance nurtures creativity, learning communities can lead the way in
dancer took centre stage, surrounded by and wellbeing through weekly dance responding to the needs of all members
peers to dance their inner story and be sessions, performances, an inclusive of society. Creative opportunities such as
witnessed in it. The dance gave them a youth dance company, inclusive peer dance can offer connection where
voice that could not be ignored. social groups, individual dance differences arise and also nurture
However, the circumstances and the movement psychotherapy, sibling days solutions to unexpected problems. n
needs of some dancers meant we could and parent therapy. It also participates
not directly reach them regardless of our in research, think tanks and training. Juliet Diener is founder and chief executive
varied responses to the pandemic, and ● ● https://icandance.org.uk/ of icandance and a dance movement
supporting their carers became our focus. psychotherapist

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 1 | Autumn 2021 29