Bealtaine with Tipperary Dance

This May, Nenagh Arts Centre will be home to two free Bealtaine events with the Tipperary Dance Connects programme. Free weekly ‘Age in Movement’ dance classes for people aged 50 or over will take place on Wednesdays, May 1 and 22, and ‘Making Space’, an exhibition of photographs of the Age in Movement ensemble of older dancers, will run from now until May 29, both as part of Bealtaine 2024 - Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age.

The uplifting ‘Age in Movement’ afternoon dance classes are open to anyone aged 50 upwards, with drop-ins welcome and no experience necessary.

Class attendee Jennifer Lehane says: “I have been participating in the Age In Movement group activities since its inception, and I’ve really enjoyed the wonderful weekly dance workshops. With the help of lovely Mia our current facilitator, the programme gives us so much joy, inspiration and freedom to truly be ourselves, to let go and just dance - helping to release some of the magic that dances within us all. The music, rhythm, movement and energy, no matter you age or ability, are so uplifting and invigorating. Having recently retired, this is my ‘Me Time’! and I love and appreciate every minute of it.”

New York dancer, teacher and artivist Mia DiChiaro, who leads the sessions, explains: “These afternoons are a chance for people to explore the joy of movement while nurturing their creative spirits in an environment designed to be supportive, inclusive, and really enjoyable. We reconnect with our sense of fun and play - using a range of feelgood music, from funk classics (think Sister Sledge and Bill Withers) to Irish contemporary bands like Kïla, and everything in between. It's an eclectic mix - something for everyone!”

Mia DiChiaro is a contemporary dancer, teacher, and artivist. Originally from New York, she now resides in Ireland and delivers dance projects that encourage communities to explore imagination and empathy.

During the month of May, the usual €5 drop-in charge for these dance classes will be waived and will be free of charge for Bealtaine.

In 2023, Tipperary Dance commissioned photographer Noel Shelley to document the Age in Movement performance ensemble of older dancers. The outcome was a series of photographic prints that traces their unique and vibrant choreographic process, on display as the ‘Making Space’ exhibition at Nenagh Arts Centre this year May 1-31 for Bealtaine. Shelley’s photographs celebrate both the energy and character of each individual dancer and the meaningful moments that connect them.

Alexandre Iseli of Tipperary Dance, whose activities include the annual Tipperary Dance International Festival in October, says: “Our communities are at the heart of Tipperary Dance. Our creative community outreach programme, the Tipperary Dance Connects programme, brings the joy of dance to everybody with a creative community outreach programme of activities tailored for the young and not so young.”

FURTHER DETAILS

For more details tel: Nenagh Arts Centre reception 067 34400, email: miadichiaro@gmail.com or visit www.nenagharts.com/event/age-in-movement-dance-workshops/

For further information about Tipperary Dance, please see https://tipperarydance.com.