DANCE OR DRAW
Online format: Learn a fully choreographed Dance with Mel - or Draw her/ her movements!! These sessions are accessible for people of all ages and levels. All you need is passion and a good sense of humour!
"It's like a speedy life-drawing or mark-making session, but the dancer is in full costume, with lights, music and set design!" - Sean, Artist
An entirely new, innovative format for life drawing, where artists are invited to observe a dance workshop in realtime, finding new inspiration for gestural and expressive work.
To see stunning images from our sessions so far, click here:
--- Join the Facebook Page here... or join our creative community here ---
During Lockdown 1.0, after seeing the impact Lockdown and the stress of Covid was having on people, I founded 'DANCE OR DRAW' a global online adult community to help people of any age to have some mindful, creative fun, to boost their physical and mental wellbeing.
A safe, welcoming space online, where art and dance enthusiasts can come together and collaborate directly, challenging and inspiring each other's creative boundaries. Many adults join purely for some human connection and active uplifting fun!
Haven't done any art since school? No problem! Two left feet? That's ok too!
These online sessions are non-judgemental and accessible to all - whatever level you are working at - we are here to provide you with some joy and inspiration during what has been a very trying year for us all.
If you have young people at home - they can of course join in too! As long as you are able to supervise them in their safety at home.
I conceptualise, choreograph and host these live practical Zooms *every first, and last Saturday* of each month. Dressing up is not required, but is highly encouraged!!
Check our current schedule here...
EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS SUCCESSFUL DANCE OR DRAW SESSIONS / THEMES:
As a choreographer I am finding SO much inspiration from all of these wonderful collaborations with my dance and art community - each session inspires the next!! I also love it when someone joins to try a bit of dancing AND a bit of drawing!
I love finding the concept for each Zoom, designing costume, set design, considering lighting design... Sometimes it comes mainly from the styles of the artists joinig - from a film I have seen recently - or a beautiful piece of music that has come bsack into my ether... It's not always just about the aesthetic - it's about what the theme evokes - how it makes us feel!
Beyonce? Sure. Pop Art? Of course. The Jazz Era? Absolutely! Delibes? Definitely. Marylin Monroe? Why not! Bridget Riley? Bring it on. Futurism? 100%. The Russian Revolution? No problem! Marcel Marceau? Oh yes! CREATIVITY IS ENDLESS!
To see more stunning images from the Zoom Sessions so far, click here:
Introducing DANCE OR DRAW for Group Bookings / Colleges / Schools / Universities:
If you would like to book a DANCE OR DRAW session for your art group / students who are stdying Dance or Art... for Staff Wellbeing - or as an entirely unique Birthday Zoom experience - please email Mel directly here: melsimpson@icloud.com **
**Mel has a current valid DBS, is a fully qualified teacher (QTS), and holds a BA hons Degree in Dance & Theatre Perfromance
DESCRIPTION:
A new innovative format for Life Drawing... Speed Drawing - or "Capturing Movement"... figurative, expressive, dynamic drawing... is a more accurate description. Perfect if you need to cater for Art Students, Dance Students - or BOTH GROUPS SIMULTANEOUSLY in different studios! All is possible via the internet.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
All booked attendees are 'admitted' into the private zoom meeting.
If some participants are joining to dance, I will always lead a short warm up, to prepare the body and mind, then launch into teaching the tailor-made, requested dance. Participants / classes who are joining as artists are encouraged to begin drawing / painting the movement even during the warm up. Artists can work in any medium, e.g. chalk, pastels, pencil, charcoal, collage, sculpture etc.
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I am mindful that constant movement provides a large challenge for artists / art students / art enthusiasts when trying to capture the essence - therefore, at various intervals throughout the sessions, I do still poses for two/three/five minutes at a time.
At the end of the session there is always a fun and optional sharing of the artworks that have been created throughout the hour - and a chance for any dancers in costume to give us a twirl or strike their favourite pose!
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DURATION: 1 hour
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DESCRIPTION: This is an energetic live (online) workshop, suitabe for all ages, provided young people are being supervised. Fully choreographed, with music, costume and set design!!
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ATMOSPHERE: Freindly, safe, welcoming, encouraging, yet also artistically and creatively challeging
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HOW DO I CONTACT MEL?
Email directly here: melsimpson@icloud.com or use the Contact form on this website.