We all knew that it was coming but not precisely when or what it would look like, in the end Lockdown2 crept up on us earlier this month. The dance studios that had begun to open closed once more and the theatres that had booked performances to carefully adhere to infection control measures cancelled them. For some people knowing what to expect has made this lockdown easier than the first and they have returned to their lockdown routines. For others knowing what to expect makes it worse and for some whilst schools stay open and many businesses continue working it

5 months… it’s the longest break from live performance I have ever had in my life! It was quite pleasant for a few weeks in March to have some ‘time off’ of theatre attending, Following a busy work year I convinced myself it was ‘OK’ that the arts industry was shut down.  In the way you convince yourself you won’t miss chocolate when you go on a crash diet. This began to wear thin by summer and I found myself craving theatre even more than a chocoholic on health retreat!            After a cultural wasteland of a summer I was overjoyed

Mark Pearce grew up on Orchard Park Estate in Hull and after training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in Leeds and performing as part of Laban’s graduate company Transitions he toured nationally and internationally with Matthew Bourne’s highly acclaimed adaptation of Swan Lake, (the one with the all-male cast).  He eventually found his way back to Hull, and in our conversation remembered fondly how he joined LEAP Dance as Company Leader, dancer and choreographer.  LEAP Dance Company was a partnership between Wyke College and Northern Theatre.  Mark reminded me what a great model it was offering apprenticeships to

Inside my head I am a dancer, on the outside, more of an enthusiastic student, with dodgy knees, a modicum of rhythm and a desire to express myself physically. My busy life does not seem to afford much time for the things I love although I squeeze in as much as I can. I was lucky enough to get involved in “Smudge” (a project with Hull Dance as part of Transgressions2019) so I was familiar with Yael Flexer’s work. I really love Yael’s teaching style, her inclusive approach and her enthusiasm for why we move. She focuses on the feelings

Whist studying contemporary dance training at The Place, I fell in love with yoga practise as it was a not competitive way to work both my body and mind. At that time in my life I needed some grounding from the business of London life and the pressures I was feeling from Dance school. I found yoga centred me and allowed me to focus on my breath and the present moment rather than being carried away with my mind and the distractions I was constantly presented with in London. It also helped to restore my body and get rid of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peDHpHCn2Vs&t=10s Life for dancers, and other artists, changed abruptly in the third week of March. Lockdown meant that not only were all performances cancelled but it was no longer possible to create work, lead workshops or hold regular classes in studios or community venues.  The solution was to move everything on-line, but how easy is this to do?  Tara, Assistant Producer with Hull Dance and owner of the Mckeown Irish Dance Academy reflects on how she and her students have explored zoom together.