Pre-school children and parents invited to ‘Wee Rise’ Festival

Innocence © Scottish Dance Theatre photo1
PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN in Moray are being provided with an opportunity to take part in a special dance festival featuring live performances and workshops.

The ‘Wee Rise’ is being presented by the Findhorn-based contemporary dance promoters Bodysurf Scotland and is aimed at children from six months to five years old.  From Wednesday, May 20 for three days the Festival will centre on Findhorn, Nairn and Aberlour.

The opening day will see Glasgow-based Still Motion inviting toddlers and their parents to two performances of ‘We Dance Wee Groove’ by Brian Hartley at the Universal Hall, Findhorn from 10am until 2pm.

Recommended for ages six months to five years, We Dance Wee Groove is a very special dance experience – a unique, stimulating and enriching celebration of dance, music and imaginative play for children.

A friendly and creative team of performers will guide the audience on a musical journey around the world and to outer space, surfing, jiving, grooving and bopping.

On Thursday May 21 the Scottish Dance Theatre from Dundee will be out and about at Nairn Community and Arts Centre at 10am and then the Fleming Hall, Aberlour at 3.30pm with ‘Innocence’ by Fleur Darkin.

Recommended for children aged three to five-years-old, Innocence is a magical theatrical journey that invites little ones and their grown-ups to explore William Blake’s imagination and enter a realm of mystery, fun and adventure.

Featuring Scottish Dance Theatre’s captivating dancers, Innocence includes music, songs, giggles and animal noises – a beautiful and engaging experience for young ones, their families and friends.

Bodysurf Scotland’s Artistic Director, Karl Jay-Lewin said: “As part of our Creative Scotland Open Project funding, we wanted to expand our Rise Dance Festival to reach people of all ages.

“Over the next two years we will bring an exciting array of national and international dance artists/companies starting with Wee Rise and followed by ‘Up Rise’ in September and the ‘Rise Dance Festival’ in May 2016.”

Two parent and toddler dance workshops will also feature at the Universal Hall as part of Wee Rise Dance Festival, taking place at 2pm on Thursday 21 and 10am on Friday May 22.

Karl added: “Fun is the main priority – and dance and movement is a great way for children to develop confidence, self-expression and concentration.”

For more information about Wee Rise Dance Festival, visit www.bodysurfscotland.co.uk, telephone 01309 691661 or email helen@bodysurfscotland.co.uk.