12 Moves

12 Moves was produced by Dancefest. It was directed by digital artists SDNA with an artistic team that included choreographer Jennifer Irons and composer Mira Calix.

12 Moves had three major elements: Participation, Demonstration and Celebration.

Participation

Dance Squads providing dance classes across the county.

Trained dancers have been providing classes and workshops in community settings since July 2010. From care homes to toddler groups, there have been plenty of chances for everyone to get involved and keep active. Some groups have even had the chance to perform their dances in front of live audiences.

Demonstration

Surprise dance during summer 2011

Summer 2011 saw 12 Moves come out into the streets. Surprise dance performances popped up in unlikely places, using state-of-the-art technologies.

Celebration: The grand finale, March 24 2012

12 Moves culminated in a grand outdoor event in Worcester with spectacular projections and live performances.

The Finale

Worcester came alive with dance on Saturday 24 March, when over 4000 people come out for a day of dance in Worcester, culminating in 12 Moves: After Dark, a dramatic outdoor spectacle of dance and film under the grand Croft Road railway arches.

Dance groups popped up in Crowngate Shopping Centre, Angel Place and outside the Guildhall during the morning, providing two hours of free performances, including a Chinese lion dance, Latin movement and contemporary dance. Around 500 shoppers watched the performances.

During the afternoon and in a very special preview, The Hive opened its doors to the public for the first time. School children and performers entertained the crowds with a promenade performance, art installations and have-a-go activities. An estimated 2,500 came through the doors, intrigued to see the interior of Worcester’s new library and history centre.

Over at Croft Road, crowds turned out for the Breathe the Beat Roadshow, a free afternoon performance with hip hop dancers Brooke and Roxy plus performers from Dancefest’s Worcester-based groups.

Then as night fell, over 1000 people came to see 12 Moves: After Dark, a magical film screening with live music which saw the Croft Road railway arches light up into a giant cinema screen. The film shown contained the work of hundreds of Worcestershire dancers, turned into an animated feature by digital artists SDNA.