Director’s Update – July 2018

Dear friends and supporters,

So far, 2018 has been an eventful year for us! I’d love to take the time to update you on our plans and what’s happening right now!

First of all… We are taking a big step #INTOTHEUNKNOWN and going to Edinburgh this August! Hack Ballet will present 15 performances of Elicitations, a triple bill comprising To the Edge, Argil and Grace, at Greenside’s Jade Studio from Aug 3rd – 11th and 13th – 18th. We are also partnering with @TheatreBench and our sister company @LesOdalisques to produce Full Throttle, a fun and frivolous frolic behind-the-scenes look at a ballet company with a difference, which is on at Underbelly Cowgate from 14th – 19th August.

We would love you to get involved in helping take the company ON TOUR so we are taking requests right now for rewards you might like to see us offer if you become a contributor to our tour fund! We are taking a creative approach to fundraising to ensure that you, our community, feel you are being represented, and are getting amazing value from being part of our creative community. We in the Hack Ballet world come from far and wide, and sometimes feel a little disconnected from each other and what’s happening all around us, and that is what our team want to work hard to change. The power of live dance is that… it’s live… IRL! That connection is what draws us toGet in touchgether across borders, cities and skins to create powerful artistic lives which reach deeply into our authentic selves. Dance crosses the boundaries that sometimes separate us from each other, and from what we truly want and need to become.

On a personal note from me: On 11th May I experienced a very frightening change in my health. I have had low back pain for many years, a common condition which affects me and many others. However, what was, until then, a chronic niggle that I managed with regular exercise, suddenly deteriorated, and I lost sensation in part of one leg. On 12th June this worsened again and I underwent emergency surgery on 15th June.

For the last couple of weeks I have been recovering at home and using my broad knowledge of strength and conditioning, ballet, pilates, gymnastics and sports therapy to manage my rehabilitation programme. I would like to thank those of you who have reached out to let me know you are thinking of me during this challenging time. I really appreciated your thoughts! I am vlogging about my recovery on my YouTube channel and on Instagram, so please go there if you are curious to watch the progress of my beloved gastrconemius as she fights for her right to party on the back of my leg!

 

One thing that has really helped me has been my commitment to growing Hack Ballet and to creating more spaces for creative, inclusive dance practice both in London and further afield. I’ve been buoyed up by an “ability not disability” attitude which has helped me maintain a positive trajectory with my care plan and rehab. I’d love to hear from you: have you been through a traumatic health emergency at some point in your history? What helped you stay positive and work through the inevitable setbacks, disappointments and uncertainty you faced? Further, do you know anyone who has experienced a serious back injury and undergone surgical intervention? I’m keen to hear about others’ experiences with the health care system in order to inform my advocacy for a better approach to preventative intervention and the availability of support services to patients undergoing life changing health events.

Friday class is back on for the next THREE weeks (6th, 13th, 20th July) and from September we will be offering a yearly membership with access to all of our classes and workshops! Get in touch if you want to find out more about our London classes. We are booking workshops associated with the Elicitations tour.

Thanks so much for your love and support and we look forward to seeing you at a class or performance very soon!

 

Much love,

Briar Adams

Artistic Director, Hack Ballet

 

 

New Adult Contemporary Ballet Performance Course starts January 9th

The Autumn Ballet Fusion performance course is nearing the end and we will be filming on December 12th and creating our final film project over the holiday break.

Are you keen to get involved in our next Adult Performance Project?

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The next Adult Performance course starts on January 9th at SPACeHoxton. This course will run for 12 weeks with the final session on March 27th. The choreography will be created by Briar Adams and rehearsed by Hack Ballet company dancers to hone your technique and expand your expressive range.

This 12 week general level course is open to adults with some dance experience in ballet, contemporary or any related style, who want to improve their general fitness while learning to create and perform original dance choreography.

During the course you will focus intensively on learning an original contemporary ballet choreography, building on the basic principles of classical ballet and contemporary techniques to give you a solid technique that allows you to respond effortlessly to choreographic combinations and move with precision and powery . The course will help you grow your confidence, build performance skills and expand your fitness and freedom of movement.

 

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In a supportive, friendly environment where dancers from all backgrounds are welcome, you will receive professional coaching to hone your technique and express your dance personality.

Ready to sign up?

Use this link to book your place online via eventbrite:

Course Time and Dates:

This intensive course runs for 12 weeks on Mondays from 7.30pm – 8.30pm

First Class: Monday 9th January 2017

19:30 – 20:30 GMT

Add to Calendar

Performance/Filming: Monday 27th March 2017

To get the most out of the course, participants are advised to attend every session. Please advise the course leader on education@hackballet.com if there will be any planned absences for any course dates.

 

LOCATION

SPACe Hoxton

Sports and Performing Arts Centre

Falkirk Street

London

N1 6HQ

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