International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 we are looking back at all of the achievements of our Magpie dancers over the last year.Magpie Dance is one of the leading dance charities for people with learning disabilities.  We believe that a learning disability should not be a barrier to personal and artistic success and looking back at the past year, our dancers have certainly led the way in inclusive dance and challenged perceptions of just what can be achieved.As this year draws to a close, our dancers most recent success has been a new commission (this Autumn) by the Royal Opera House entitled ‘The Bad, The Very Bad and The Ugly’ – created for their Family Sundays programme.  Take a peek behind-the-scenes to see how the project came together – go to Royal Opera House YouTube Channel to watch it https://youtu.be/_Tc5qRDA1TgThroughout this year our dancers have attended many exciting trips including ‘Dance Around the World’ where dancers participated in workshops learning dances across the Globe. They also attended the Royal Ballet (at the Royal Opera House) and Protein Dance (at The Place) rehearsals via exclusive invites – it’s fantastic that Magpie dancers are being invited to see work at such renowned companies – flying the flag for people with learning disabilities.

Showing just what can be achieved, dancers (of all ages and abilities) have performed at a range of venues across the year and collaborated with many organisations including local day centres, SEN schools and social clubs, theatres, arts festivals, disability festivals, dance festivals, Jubilee celebrations, the Royal Opera House and many more! Not forgetting our full company performance and exhibition entitled ‘Global Moves and Grooves’ in the Summer.

Our mission is to empower people with learning disabilities – focussing on ability and providing our dancers with opportunities.  This year our dancers have worked harder than ever, achieving not just standing ovation performances and bringing inclusive dance to new audiences, but also collaborating with established artists from around the world as part of our #globalmovesandgrooves theme.  Including Peruvian Scissors Dance, Haka, Iberian folk dance, Chinese fan and ribbon dances! Find out more about who we have worked with here: International Day of People with Disabilities – YouTube

Our Magpie Dance Ambassadors, who are a team of our dancers that have attended internal training, have delivered numerous sessions to students in SEN schools (acting as role models and inspiration for children with disabilities) and dance professionals here in the UK and further afield – even making a film internationally with Arts for the Disabled Association in Hong Kong.

Our film ‘From Me’, created by the dancers on our Dancer Development Course has been shown at film festivals around the world, winning awards in Bulgaria, India, Serbia and USA. See the full film here: From Me – YouTube

And last (but certainly not least) our Magpie Mini, Junior and Youth dancers were invited to film for BBC Children in Need and were featured on Strictly Come Dancing! Watch the video here: Strictly dancers visit Magpie Dance ?? – YouTube

A huge thank you to everybody we have collaborated with this year, our supporters and our funders, our dancers and their families, and the whole Magpie Dance team.  Here is to many more opportunities for people with and without disabilities and a world where we are one.