For those interested in dance, this is a chance to keep fit, have fun and socialise.  There is a combination of taught sequences – to encourage mobility, balance and fitness – alongside creative exercises.  It is accessible to anyone, whatever their ability or experience.  Enjoy moving to a variety of music styles with other like minded people. Can be seated if necessary.

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Aashiyana Arts sessions

Sohan specilaise’s in the dance art forms of Bhangra, Bollywood, Street, Creative Dance & Movement and Theatre. The sessions are used so that people can use dance as a way to keep fit and also to spread cultural understanding and harmony.

PERFORMANCES
Musicians can come and perform music to the participants through a variety of styles and eras e.g. folk, celtic, classical, Early Music, 40’s 50’s, 60’s etc. The performances are quite interactive and informal, participants are encouraged to join in by singing or playing percussion instruments.

DRUMMING AND PERCUSSION
Fun, colourful samba and African workshops for people of all ages & abilities. For example elderly people suffering from late stages of dementia often show responses to drumming, including vocal activity, increased eye contact, changes in facial expression and physical movement.

The physical exercise is also extremely beneficial, especially to the upper body. Drums can also be strapped to wheelchairs and there are numerous percussion instruments that are suited to virtually anyone who wants to join in the rhythm.

Workshops can be either storytelling or poetry or a mixture of both. Informal interactive performances of poetry and stories, a mix of the artists own work and well known pieces.

Participants can have the opportunity to bring and share poems and stories themselves and the workshop leaders often write pieces using material collected by chatting to people on various subjects relevant to them. These stories can also be recorded for you to keep.

Fine arts workshops ranging from drawing and painting. Also craft activities including, collage, card making, decorative crafts using decoupage to cover objects, picture frames, lantern making, sewing, seasonal crafts, ceramics, surface pattern, silk painting, knitting and textiles, jewellery making, memory books and flower arranging.

All sessions are guided step by step, participants can work to their own speed and ability in informal enjoyable creative sessions. Bespoke themed sessions can also be offered according to your needs e.g. Christmas, holidays, consultation.

A full day fun and film making workshop to produce a 1 minute film. From script to screen have fun using comedy, drama storytelling. Have your final project sent to you via dropbox or as a DVD. Longer workshops can produce more diverse outcomes. Length is 1 – 6 hours + set up ( including prep, editing) and is suitable for all age ranges and abilities. Similar projects can be delivered also to produce a radio drama.

Younger people or those with physical or learning disabilities would require support workers to attend with them.

Museum handling objects can be used in a workshop to stimulate memories, engage with people or to learn about history. These can be from different eras and on different themes.

An artist can then work with these memories or participants interpretations to express them through the arts. This could be through arts and crafts, poems, stories, films, radio drama, music etc. Suitable for small groups of up to 12-14 people for all ages.