This Autumn, English National Ballet launches Dancing East, a programme of east London based ballet classes for older people.
The weekly dance classes will be run with LinkAge Plus, a free service for anyone over the age of 50 living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The service aims to help older people achieve a better quality of life and improve their physical and mental well-being. Following a successful pilot project in the area, a series of classes will now take place across five community centres in east London.
Led by English National Ballet Associate Dance Artists and Musicians, the programme is based on the Company’s own performance repertoire. The first term’s classes are inspired by Lest We Forget, English National Ballet’s award-winning programme of poignant works that reflect on the First World War. Lest We Forget is performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre this September (until 29th) to mark the centenary of the end of the war.
Fleur Derbyshire Fox, Engagement Director at English National Ballet said:
“We are thrilled to be bringing Dancing East to our new east London community ahead of our move next year. Ballet based exercise encourages increased mobility, improves spatial awareness, posture and balance to reduce the risk of falls. The music and creativity promote a sense of wellbeing and enjoyment and it’s a great way to socialise too!”
English National Ballet is preparing to move to its new purpose-built home at London City Island in Canning Town, east London, in early 2019. The new building will have dedicated Engagement spaces to further the Company’s work with local communities and its wellbeing programmes.