For one day only, artsdepot in North Finchley is being taken over with a jam-packed day of entertainment for the whole family that brings together local communities in a creative and friendly environment, in order to promote activities that encourage healthy living and wellbeing. The Festival will be free to attend, and a special day of events and activities for children and grown-ups and a unique opportunity for children, parents and grandparents to spend time together participating in and watching dance. Be dazzled by fantastic performances, learn new moves with brilliant dance artists and dance together in a jam session with musicians. This idea is the dream of Dare2Dance (D2D), a community dance company based in High Barnet who run a weekly creative dance class for seniors. Their performance in the Studio Theatre will also feature other local dance groups of all ages and abilities. Other activities and workshops during the festival will focus on bringing together generations.

What we'll deliver:

• A day-long Spring Half Term festival that includes:
• 6 inclusive, multi-generational dance workshops led by 4 teachers
• Creative Dance, Hip-Hop, Contakids, Circle Dance and more
• A family dance ‘jam session’, with live music
• A dance performance featuring a specially created piece from D2D Company (20 weeks of rehearsals) with live music
• Showcase performances from local dance groups of different ages and abilities
• Inclusive Workshop Performance ‘SPLASH!’ by DancingStrongMovementLab
• Apprenticeship opportunities for dance students from Middlesex University and young people
• 4 x free workshop in schools in the Borough of Barnet

Why it's a great idea:

The Generations Dance Festival will - Bring children, adults and seniors together in a fun day of participating and watching - Focus on wellbeing and a variety of other health benefits such as stretching, physical and cognitive training, learning new skills and reducing social isolation and loneliness - Provide opportunities for connection, bonding and self-expression in a safe, accessible and joyful environment with live music - Encourage creative thinking, improvisation and expression - Broaden access to dance for those who previously may have been unable to participate (due to accessibility or cost, for example) - Increase the awareness of the benefits of dance - Connect groups from Hertfordshire and the Borough of Barnet - Share D2D with the wider public to attract new participants - Develop partnerships with local arts organisations - Connect with local schools, offering free workshops - Provide paid opportunities for dance teachers - Provide work experience for dance students

Steps to get it done:

• - Reach out to communities through social media promotions and consultations with related organizations
• - Reach out to communities through leaflets, performances led by D2D at Christmas Fair in High Barnet and free workshop
• - Liaise with venue programming / events team
• - Connect with local schools and liaise on free workshop schedule (4 schools)
• - Promote the festival to generate ticket sales for the performance
• - Create a performance with D2D Company
• - Liaise with dance students from Middlesex University
• - Liaise with workshop practitioners and dance companies
• - Gather feedback and evaluate the impact and benefit of the project
• - Create digital content to widen access to more people
• - Create digital inclusive dance classes
• - Liaise with volunteers
• - Reach out to organisations like: Family Support, Parents Support, Barnet Mencap, Barnet Inclusion, Young Barnet

We will reach out to communities through free workshops in schools in areas of high social housing, deprivation and low incomes, and consultations with related organisations. Reach out to organisations like: Family Support, Parents Support, Barnet Mencap, Barnet Inclusion and more, to ask for support and ways to reach out to adults, children and families who could be interested and benefit from our event. Offer free participation in the event but also offer free movement classes for single parents and neurodivergent children after the festival