Dance Woking is excited to be once again working with Richard Alston Dance Company to host a 2 day dance workshop during the October half term break.

Following the success of last year’s project we are running EVOLVE on Monday 24 & Tuesday 25 October, sessions 10am – 4pm each day, we would love for you to be involved if you are aged 12plus. The project will run over 2 full days where you will work a member of Richard Alston Dance Company to create a piece to perform at Innovate on Saturday 26th November.

We are looking for up to 20 dancers to be part of this amazing experience, working with a professional company and performing at Rhoda McGaw Theatre*.

About: Richard Alston Dance Company is led by Richard Alston, Artistic Director of The Place and internationally recognised as one of the most inspiring and influential choreographers in dance. Perhaps more than any other choreographer, Richard is known for his instinctive musicality. Richard is renowned for having a very close relationship with his music, taking inspiration for his work directly from the music he uses, to use the music as a point of departure for the choreography.

The Project: During this two-day intensive, we will be focusing on Richard Alston’s 1984 ‘Wildlife’ repertoire – which is on the new A level syllabus, the fee includes a ticket to see the company perform at New Victoria Theatre, Woking on Wednesday 23 November, 7.30pm.

To hear Richard Alston talk about Wildlife visit: http://www.thealstonstudio.com/repertoire/wildlife

For more information and to book click HERE

Dance Woking have had a great time at CarFest South this bank holiday weekend, thanks to support from partners MoveMe with Artistic Director Bert Romans leading the interactive performance session on Friday 26 August assisted by Aimee Bevan; Saturday 27 August saw Dance Woking precede Strictly’s BBC salsa workshop to great acclaim with fantastic participation led by Kate Finegan assisted by Imogen Godwin and volunteer dancers Fiona Eldred & Katie Harrison; Sunday 28 August we were joined by Illume Dance Group and NCS (National Citizen Service), the session was once again led by Kate Finegan assisted by Imogen Godwin; further details about each day posted separately.

Dance Woking would like to thank volunteer dancers Imogen Godwin, Fiona Eldred, Katie Harrison, Illume Dance Company, NCS & MoveMe; Andrew Brockington for taking great photos for us.

Dance Woking was invited to attend CarFest South this August bank holiday weekend, taking place at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hants.

What is it? Chris Evans had a dream…it’s called CarFest. A festival of cars, music and food for all the family. There’s a hill climb, magnificent cars, awesome music, mouth-watering food and a packed schedule entertainment in the air and on the ground!
CarFest raises money for BBC Children in Need (registered charity number 802052, England and Wales, and SC039557,Scotland) by donating at least 1/3 of the price paid for each ticket.

Dance Woking led an interactive performance on each day:

Friday’s session was led by Bert Roman – Artistic Director MoveMe assisted by Aimee Bevan.

Volunteer Dancers Imogen Godwin & Fiona Aldred, Photographs Andrew Brockington

Interactive dance performance to T Rex ‘We Love to Boogie’; lots of audience participation

CarFest South on Saturday proved even more successful as our session preceded the BBC Strictly Salsa workshop. Led by Kate Finegan with Imogen Godwin assisting on stage the dance floor was packed!

Great support from volunteer dancers Imogen Godwin, Fiona Eldred & Katie Harrison; Photographs Andrew Brockington

Kate Finegan led the Sci-Fi Flash mob routine that was extremely successful this summer at Woking’s Party in the Park; can you spot a well known Radio 2 presenter amongst the dancers? Usually hosts a 12noon slot.

Sunday saw Dance Woking once again precede BBC Strictly’s salsa workshop which meant a very packed tent. Lots of great participation. Kate Finegan led a MoveMe interactive performance using Bert Romans choreographer to T Rex’s ‘We Love to Boogie’. Dance Woking were supported by adult group Illume who opened the Dance Woking session performing to music from the movie ‘Inception’.

August saw Dance Woking once again partner NCS (National Citizen Service) and host 10 – 15-17 year olds who volunteered their support to raise funds and Dance Woking’s profile both in Woking and at CarFest South.

Dance Woking received great support from Illume dancers, NCS and volunteer dancers Imogen Godwin & Fiona Aldred. Photographs Andrew Brockington. Sunday topped off a really great weekend.

Dance Woking has been partnering with Woking Borough Council to present great dance at Party in the Park representing both the local community dance sector, which is extremely diverse, vibrant and strong as well as professional dance companies since this great free family day was introduced to Woking Park in 2012; moving from a very successful presentation of dance in Woking Town Centre’s Jubilee Square in previous years.

Each year we have filmed our activities at Woking Park featuring a round up of the highlights of the day; we wanted to share these short films with you; in the next few months we will have highlights of this years 2016 record breaking Party in the Park and look forward to posting our video highlights once edited!

To relive past summers with Dance Woking click DanceWokinghighlights

Lucy Field, Chair of Dance Woking, at this years Party in the Park on Saturday 9 July’s record breaking attendance commented ‘Dance Woking were absolutely thrilled at the number of people that enjoyed Party in the Park this year. People were queuing up for our Encounters dance taster-workshop tent, having been inspired by community and professional groups performing throughout the day. The event is always a focus in our calendar, as we really enjoy uniting the community through the diversity of dance styles that Woking has to offer its community – a highlight for me was Burt Roman’s Move Me workshops, and his sublime ability to get everyone dancing!’

Dance Woking would like to thank all the community groups who took part on the day in the Dance Woking showcases on the Main Stage and Encounters Stage, with over 300 dancers on site, this was a great opportunity to highlight what an eclectic dance offer Woking has to offer. We would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to head to our new website and directory

Dance Woking has been hosting a group of participants on their National Citizen Service (NCS) during July. Following a very successful Party in the Park where the participants took part in Dance Woking’s martian parade and flash mob they were back with Dance Woking today, Monday 18 July, volunteering their time to help the organisation. The members split into groups with one group looking at photographs taken for Saturday 9 July go to our facebook page and see the best selected taken by Andrew Brockington. The other tidying up the office and investigating the viability and opportunity for us to host dance classes in Woking. Dance Woking were delighted with the output the 15-16 year olds delivered during their time with us.

Dance Woking lead the sci fi flash mob in the Encounters tent

Acrojou perform The Wheel House in the pop up area Futuristic Field

To see more photos go to: Dance Woking Party in the Park highlights album

Dance Woking is leading the dance elements of Party in the Park on Saturday 9th July 2016 in Woking Park. Following on from the much celebrated success of last years’ Party in the Park which attracted over 15,000 visitors, Woking Borough Council will again be hosting this event now in its fifth year.

Saturday 2 July saw Dance Woking host Encounters in Jubilee Square, a warm-up event to Party in the Park to showcase both community and professional dance companies

There were also opportunities to take part as well as watch great dance.

Leading the Dance Woking Community Dance Showcase and opening the event was First Dance Studio’s Amy Astley’s group followed by Francesca Louise Dance Company.

A torrential donwpour followed, but that didn’t dampen spirits, great performances from Commotion Dance and Amina Khayyam Dance Company followed.

Jane Chan solo from Amina Khayyam Dance Company

Commotion Dance Company performing Little Artist Big Painting

Rain delays!

Chinese Association of Woking – Ladies group

Dance Woking sci-fi dance workshop – great audience participation