DanceSyndrome ready to EXPRESS themselves at live performance

Members of a Lancashire-based charity are looking forward to taking to the stage to showcase their work at Blackburn Empire Theatre later this month. DanceSyndrome is a multi-award-winning dance charity that was founded by Jen Blackwell, who has Down's syndrome.

The charity was formed because Jen found it difficult to find opportunities in community dance that were accessible to people with learning disabilities. DanceSyndrome's ethos is that disability should never be a barrier to following your dreams. All DanceSyndrome sessions are disability led, with people with learning disabilities taking visible Dance Leader roles to inspire people to see what can be achieved when we all become more inclusive.

The charity works across the North West offering weekly inclusive dance workshops, their own accredited leadership training and exceptional performances by the DS Collective performance company at a variety of events including the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. DanceSyndrome’s showcase event is called EXPRESS ’24 and will take place at Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday, March 17 at 3pm.  

Each of DanceSyndrome’s local community groups from Accrington, Chorley, Clitheroe and Preston have been invited to take part in this special event with a unique piece that they have developed together in their workshops. Act 1 will combine those community workshop performances with a world exclusive of a new DS Collective performance piece called “The Sunken Forest”.

Inspired by the Welsh legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod, the Lowland Hundred in West Wales near Aberystwyth, harpist Eira Lynn Jones has created a Concert Suite of five pieces of music entitled Twilight Bells, Mererid’s Dance, Rising Waters, Forest Awakes and Moving Clouds. The Suite, accompanied by narration and movement by the DS Collective Performance Company recounts this Welsh Legend, and asks us all to consider the impacts of climate change.

Act 2 of the showcase will be a full-length performance of “SENse” which the DS Collective previewed at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. SENse is a truly inclusive dance performance which is co-produced and co-choreographed by Dance Leaders with learning disabilities working in collaboration with professional Dance Artists, in line with DanceSyndrome’s unique co-production model.

Together they considered the idea “In a Big Brother world where it’s easy to feel as though we are constantly being watched, are we ever truly seen?” The performance explores humanity’s need to be seen, felt and heard through the powerful medium of inclusive dance.

Sophie Tickle, artistic director at DanceSyndrome said: “EXPRESS ’24 sees DanceSyndrome return with our first showcase event since 2020. It’s a vital opportunity for our dancers to present our work after the difficulties of the last few years.

"People with learning disabilities were hit hardest by the impact of pandemic. Performing in spaces like the Blackburn Empire Theatre gives our dancers a platform to create work about issues and themes that matter to them and present them to an audience in a professional theatre. It’s also a chance to communicate key messages about inclusion, teamwork, and achievement and to ensure people with learning disabilities have their voices heard.

"We hope members of the Lancashire community will come out and support their incredible work!” EXPRESS ’24 will take place at Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday, March 17 at 3pm. Tickets are £11.50 and are available directly from the Blackburn Empire website.

Location: Blackburn in Lancashire