Save the date!
Early in 2024, we will be working with Staines and Ruislip Manor Libraries and The Hive in Guildford to offer free dance and story-telling workshops exploring nature and the world around us. These workshops will be aimed at children aged 18 months to 4 years old and their grown-ups.
The sessions will take place for 5 weeks, from the w/c 19th February 2024 until the w/c 18th March.
Staines Library on a Monday (10.30-12noon), 19th & 26th February, 4th, 11th & 18th March (Friends Walk, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 4PG) - bookings must be made via Eventbrite here.
Ruislip Manor Library on a Wednesday (10.30-12noon), 21st & 28th February, 6th, 13th & 20th March (2 Linden Avenue, Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, HA4 8TW) - for bookings, contact a member of library staff or book online here.
The Hive (10-12noon) on Fridays, 23rd February, 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd March (Park Barn Drive, Guildford, GU2 8EN) - to book call or email The Hive on 01483 444 150 / community.wellbeing@guildford.gov.uk
Our free morning workshops (starting at 10am or 10.30am depending on location) will be particularly inspired by children’s books about the environment and will include:
- reading a book together for 15 minutes
- moving for 30 minutes
- then join us for a chat and some refreshments after each workshop (optional)
Sessions will be lead by professional dance artist Katie Green, who brought her most recent project ‘The Story Detectives’ to libraries across the South East and South West in 2023, including to Hillingdon and Surrey Libraries. They are part of her research for a new performance piece called SEED, and will help her to learn about the kinds of story and movement ideas that children enjoy, so she can put these into the finished performance. There will also be an opportunity for families in Hillingdon and Surrey to be amongst the first audiences to see the SEED performance when it’s ready, so watch this space!
It is free to take part in the workshops, but you will need to book in advance, so let us know by contacting katie@madebykatiegreen.co.uk if you would like to receive booking information when it's available.
A bit more information:
- This opportunity would suit children and families who like to tell stories and dance together, but no previous experience is necessary, and you don’t need any special clothes or equipment.
- We would prefer it if families signing up can try to come to all 5 sessions, as this will be helpful as part of our research, but we do understand that other things can come up, so just let us know if you would only be able to attend some of the sessions.
- If there is anything we can do to support you accessing the workshops, please let us know. For these and other questions about what to expect, please email Katie on katie@madebykatiegreen.co.uk .
Who is Katie Green?
Katie is a choreographer and dance teacher based in Surrey. She has a small dance company called Made By Katie Green (MBKG) and specialises in creating dance work for libraries and other unusual performance sites that responds to the world around us. For more information about her work, visit www.madebykatiegreen.co.uk .
The SEED pilot in 2024 is being supported through funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Surrey Libraries and Active Surrey.