Dance Picnic

The next Dance Picnic is on Saturday 7th March 2009.

After its success in October&November last year, we have decided to keep going with another Dance Picnic in our dance studio at the end of this month. It is a unique and exciting event that attracts families, friends, regular dancers and complete beginners.

I went along to the first ever Dance Picnic in October 2008 and loved it! I bought far too much food (perhaps a trait that I have inherited from my mother!) but with the help of Zoe and Yehudith, Steve and I set up a lovely atmosphere for the event. There were blankets on the floor with cushions, a table full of food and drinks and some music to welcome people.

It was Steve Batts (Co-Artistic Director of Echo Echo) who came up with the idea of Dance Picnic. With many workshops often aimed at certain sections of society, whether it is children, adult, elderly or disability, Steve thought it would be wonderful to remove the barriers between these groups and have everyone participate together in an informal and enjoyable environment.

For me, I loved dancing with people my age, with children and with older people. It felt so natural and we had a lot of fun together. The kids enjoyed seeing us adults on the floor and being silly and as an adult, it was great to get back down on the floor and roll around. Other than in my yoga classes, I hadn't done really done that in years!

The January Dance Picnic is from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in the Echo Echo Dance Studio at the Waterside Theatre on Saturday 31st and costs £3 per person - with group and family discounts available. Participants are encouraged to bring along food to share with others, be it sandwiches, salads or cakes.

Fingers crossed we get another great turn out. It will be the perfect antidote to the January blues.

If you would like to attend the Dance Picnic, contact Echo Echo on 028 7134 2266, email info@echoechodance.com or visit www.echoechodance.com for more information.

Dance Picnic is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City Council.