So after all of my dance performing escapades this year with Two Thirds Sky, Ffin Dance and MÓTUS, the summer has brought with it an influx of choreographic commissions.
A lot of my attention is currently focussed on 'For the Fallen' - a Great War MK project commissioned by Westbury Arts Centre. Chris Bradley, Helen Parlor and myself are working with 11 different community and school groups to pull together a site-specific commemorative dance piece alongside a banner installation created by textile artist, Vinny Stapley.
I'm working with 4 different groups - each currently at different stages of the rehearsal process. I had my final rehearsal with the Bollywood group this weekend - who it was great to get on site with at the MK Rose with and lift the material out of the studio.
Tonight sees the last of my manic Tuesday evening dashes from one rehearsal to another, as I finish rehearsals with a group of young dancers from CentreStage Theatre School MK. They have been looking at the role of nurses in the war - particularly exploring the notion of care and support to get soldiers back on their feet.
Later on this evening, I'll be working with a group of adults who have joined the Open Dance Group at the OU. This group is currently mid-way through rehearsals, using a strong theme of semaphore and messaging. We have already constructed lots of lovely material - so the plan for tonight is to get on with organising and arranging so that we can put a definite structure together.
Last but not least, I am working with Red Kite Dance in Aylesbury who are still at the outset of their rehearsals. Again, we are exploring nursing, through the themes of after care and recovery. I am finding it really interesting to work with the two groups on this subject matter as their age and life experience is so different and brings about very different images and approaches.
The final performances will take place at the MK Rose in Campbell Park at 3pm and 5pm on Sunday 5th July and will be free to attend. Do come down to support this cast of wonderful community performers if you are about in Milton Keynes.