Keep Dancing is a class that has been set up by West Midlands Community Dance Artist Faye O’Connor following her success of delivering the ‘Steppin Out’ classes run by Solihull Arts Complex and funded by Solihull Active.
Faye wanted to bring the success of ‘Steppin Out’ to Sandwell after she had seen first-hand the benefits of such a class. On a Wednesday afternoon at Solihull Arts Complex women and a gentleman eagerly enter the dance studio with chatter for their weekly session. For many it is an opportunity to meet with friends, participate in gentle exercise, reminisce to the music, develop their movement memory and simply escape for a whole hour.
With loneliness and obesity currently in the news Xpress-Yourself’s ‘Keep Dancing’ classes seem even more relevant. Shows like Strictly Come Dancing have been brilliant for promoting dance but people should never be put off attending a class because they think that they can’t dance. Faye works hard to ensure that the Keep Dancing classes are accessible for all, adapting movements and sequences and recapping routines as often as needed.
Dance is there to be enjoyed by all, often people have memories of dancing in their younger days and should always be encouraged to make happy memories dancing when they get older. Dance has no boundaries.
‘Keep Dancing is a class especially for the over fifties to enjoy an hour of exercise and dance with a variety of music exploring a range of world dance styles and eras. Whatever your age and ability, you will receive a warm welcome from likeminded individuals in a friendly and fun environment. No partner or skill is required. With the help of instructor Faye, exercise is most definitely a pleasure and not a chore!
To quote Age Uk “of all the performing arts, dance is the one that has emerged as the most therapeutic when it comes to staving off mental and physical effects of old age.” (Serena Leedham Steppin Out Dancer )