SDN General Meeting, 9th September 2010

Sally Edwards (pictured right), Outreach Worker and founder member of the Blue eyed Soul Dance Company, gave a fascinating presentation to the SDN General Meeting on September 9th.

She explained how she came into contact with Candoco, the first inclusive dance company in the UK, in 1994, a meeting which proved to be a ‘light bulb moment’ for her. As a result of that meeting she changed her career from being a carer, to being a dancer, choreographer and dance trainer, traveling all over the world.

The Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company create performances in a range of settings, performing both professionally and creating community performances, for which Sally has worked recently in Geneva and Washington, among other places. In 2003 they put on I Do, Sally’s first large touring piece which involved dancing, singing and remembering lines – a 1 ½ hour show, 2 shows a week and 2 – 3 workshops a week. The show was directed by Lisi Perry, and toured Shropshire, the West Midlands and Merseyside, finishing at the Danse-Habile Festival in Geneva. This production included members from other dance companies, both professional and beginners, and as well as raising issues for the audience about disabled people having relationships, the cast faced a challenge in finding ways to communicate and work together.

In 2002 the company produced Frankenstein, a theme inspired by the contemporary hot topic of cloning (remember Dolly the sheep?) as well as Mary Shelley’s novel. The backdrop on stage showed huge blow-ups of X-rays donated by a local hospital and body bags from which the dancers appeared at the start of the performance.

Other productions have included Touch in Shrewsbury in 2005 when schools, community groups and siblings created both live dance and a dance film Trace 2008 in Wolverhampton Belonging, which was part of the Darwin Festival in 2009 in the Quarry Park. This performance included dancers researching their personal family histories, which proved enlightening for Sally, whose family have lived in Shropshire a long time. This was the company’s first dance piece at the new Severn Theatre. Where the Wind Blows was a children’s performance tour of schools in 2009-10.

The Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company are also heavily involved in training, which includes their ’50 Ways to Lead a Workshop’, OCN professional training courses, and Aerial Dance. They also run workshops, residencies, regular weekly sessions and dance inset.

Throughout her time with Blue Eyed soul Dance Company, Sally has been able to develop her personal career, gaining a BTEC and participating in many courses, workshops and projects with inspirational choreographers such as Fernanda Ameral, Rosie Lee and Janet Smith, which have led to Sally now deciding that 15 years as a dancer is enough and choreography is the route for her.

During the presentation Sally showed excerpts from DVDs on the productions, which left the audience wishing there was time to see the whole DVD instead of a brief taster. I’m sure I was not the only person present who had their eyes opened to the fact that not only is inclusive dance a very beneficial experience for people with a disability, but it is also a pleasure for the more able-bodied to watch as well.

Before Sally’s presentation, the business included notification of SDN’s Shropshire Disability Awareness Day to be held on Sunday 19th June 2011 at Shrewsbury Sports Village, and in which all organisations concerned with people with a disability are invited to participate. It will be a fun day out for all the family, so put a note in your diary now!