a swinging Steps. October is a lean month for dance performances in Edinburgh and Glasgow but behind the scenes new schemes are being hatched and new companies taking shape. Major news comes from the East; a youth dance company for Lothian takes its first steps on Sat Oct 12 at 2pm when auditions are held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
Just formed by Tracy Hawkes and Susan Crowther, the fundamental aim of the venture is to nurture and develop the potential talent of Lothian youth through physical and creative training and performance. Tracy, who has been teaching at Arts in Fife this summer and is busy choreographing a piece for Napier College, had been involved with young pe0ple for some time. While in South Africa, teaching in multi-racial schools, she managed to find time to dance and teach with Durban’s professional dance company and to found the Durban City Youth Ballet.
Susan has an equally impressive background. After a successful career with Scottish Ballet and London Festival Ballet, she went to America to study choreography and modern dance. There she founded the Teens Jazz Company in Oakland, California. Under the direction of these two dancers, plans for the youth company, christened ‘Spring,’ include at least 8 performances within the first year.
Most of these will take place in hospitals, community/arts centres, homes for the elderly and schools. It is hoped that the company will make a dynamic contribution to the community. For the first term the group will be based in Stockbridge. A Parents Support Group is in the process of being formed to assist with fund-raising.
Tracy and Susan are convinced there is considerable untapped talent in Lothian just waiting to ‘Spring’ into action. If you are over 12 (they have no upper limit to their definition of young) and have dance on your mind, phone up for an application for the audition. You must be willing to devote most of your Sunday afternoons to the company and spend a few hours every week at class. Experience is not necessary but commitment is essential. In return Tracy and Susan promise a great deal of fun and a wonderful sense of achievement.
Phone 031 332 3104 for an
application form or for information on the Parents Support Group. Local dance schools will also have details. (Alice Bain).
0 Accessan AxIs Axis was a dance company described by the Scotsman as ‘full of ideas’ and by the Festival Times as ‘promising great things for the future.’ Surely this prophesy has every chance of fulfilment as Axis is reborn as a fully-fledged independent dance company with a
I‘EDINBURGH'S ONLY ALL-YEAR-
OUND ARTS & RESOURCES CENTRE
Theatre r: Resources r: Classes a Projects a
Films Exhibitions '3 Cafe a Bar W Autumn programme out now. 34 HAMILTON PLACE, EDINBURGH
BOX OFFICE (031) 226 S425
line-up of three dancers, a musician and a full-time administrator.
Lyn Denton and Grace Mangen, founder members and both Laban-trained have been joined by Jean Douglas, one of the original Nexus group (Aberdeen). David Galbraith, a musician/composer, makes the group four.
As in the past, the emphasis of the restyled company will be on conceiving original choreography and music, with improvisation playing a major role in the creative process. The artists will be taking workshops and classes as well as performing regularly. Like the new Lothina Youth Dance Company, Axis would like to inspire a new awareness of dance, particularly contemporary dance, in the community. They are keen that dance is made more available to a wider public regardless of age or ability.
With the wheels of their new administration set in motion by the capable Val Lyon, Axis are well on their way to establishing a bright future. Bookings can be made or further information obtained by contacting Val on 031 447 9230.
DANCE CLASSES
0 GLASGOW ARTS CENTRE 12 Washington Street, 221 4526 Monday Ballet & Tap, Cherylann Gilliam-Norris, 10am; Performance Group, Cheryl Strong, 5 - 7pm; Beginners, 7.30 - 9pm. Tuesday Advanced Contemporary, Cheryl Strong, 1 - 2.30pm.
Wednesday Beginners’
1 l l
Contemporary, Cheryl Strong, 1 - 2.30pm. Advanced Class, 5.30 -
7pm. ‘ Friday Ballet & Tap, Cherylann
Gilliam-Norris, 10am. Saturday Ballet & Tap, Cherylann Gilliam-Norris, 2pm.
0 NEW DANCE INITIATIVE Epworth
Halls, Nicholson Square, Edinburgh, 668 1901. Monday Teachers Ballet, Pat MacKenzie, 10 - 11.30am;
Elementary Contemporary, Lyn ' Denton, 6 - 7.30pm; Tai Chi Chuan Intermediate, Jim Griffin, 7.30 -
9pm
i Tuesday Elementary Contemporary, . Tamsin Grainger, 6 - 7.30pm;
Beginners‘ Jazz, Neil Barber, 7.30 - 9pm.
Wednesday Childrens’ Open Modern, Tracy Hawkes, 4 - 5pm; Childrens' Open Ballet. Tracy Hawkes, 5 - 6pm; Adult Elementary Ballet, Tracy Hawkes, 6 - 7pm. Thursday Tai Chi Chuan Beginners, Jim Griffin, 7.30 - 9pm.
Frlday Open Advanced Ballet. Pat MacKenzie, 1 - 2.30pm.
T O WILKIE HOUSE Guthrie Street,
, Edinburgh.
I Saturday Elementary
9 Contemporary, Lyn Denton, 10.30- ? 12noon, Elementary Jazz, Tracy
Hawkes, 12noon — 1.15pm.
GREEK RESTAURANT
223 NICOLSON STREET EDINBURGH
( L Tel: 031-667 0747
Edinburgh’s only true Greek restaurant offering traditional Greek food can be found in a basement below a Baked Potato shop.
Wrmmmmmmmmm‘r HUNG/112W A1275 [N GLASGOW
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5 Oct-9 Nov 1985 18 ARTISTS FROM HUNGARY
Over 300 works and 7 Installations by eighteen artists, exhibited in six venues Compass Gallery, Glasgow Arts Centre, Glasgow Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow Print Studio, Glasgow School of Art (Mackintosh Gallery 8i Newbery Gallery), Third Eye Centre.
Hungarian Arts in Glasgow IS organised by the Third Eye Centre in assocmtion With Glasgow District C0unCil and Mayfest
Hungarian Arts in Glasgow is (manually supported by Glasgow District Council, the
ViSiting Arts Unit of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Scottish Arts Council
Third Eye Centre, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow (041—332 7521). Hungarian Arts in Glasgow, 7 Burgh Hall St, Glasgow (041357 2793).
30 The List 4—— 1 7 October