Tuesday 22 August 2017

Penzance new group


Who wouldn't want to go to a session with this lovely crew!
Zoe, Kerry, Colin and Jonathan and others in front of The Acorn Theatre, Penzance.
We owe so much to St Peter's Hall Newlyn and then we owe so much to The Acorn our second home.
Where we settled once we restarted, they gave us admin support etc till we were a fully fledged charity. We then returned to St Peter's Hall, Newlyn but ran Open House at The Acorn for many years and performed there annually.
It was the Acorn and David Shaw who supported our first show and asked us to repeat it and that they would guarantee an audience as they wanted more people to see us.
Like The Acorn we have been through many changes but are still here!

Shallal Inclusive Arts Charity are excited to be back at the Acorn with a weekly Open House Dance Theatre session. Everyone is welcome to explore their unique, creative expression in a friendly and safe space...join us on Thursdays at 10.30 till 12 noon...for more details call Colin on 07747 543300


The local ‘Inclusive Arts’ charity Shallal are excited to be back at the Acorn in Penzance with a weekly ‘dance theatre’ session open to all the community.
This is an opportunity to explore your natural movement and unique creative expression through improvisation.
We provide a friendly and safe space in the theatre from 7th September on Thursdays 10.30 - 12 noon at a cost of £3 or donations.
The group will be facilitated by Colin Curbishley…”This is where I started with Shallal over ten years ago and it’s still a creative journey that continues to inspire me. So I’m really please to be able to be part of providing this chance for others to see where it takes them.”
Like Jonathan a participant for two years. “Being part of Shallal has changed my life for the better in so many ways”
If you want to know more please call Colin on 07747 543300 or visit shallal.org.uk

Look out for our upcoming performance of Ladders and Footprints inspired by the life of the Cornishman John Passmore Edwards...at the Acorn in December.

Saturday 19 August 2017

Summer "As we get older" & more

Summer and i decided i would share the joy and light of Steve Tanner's photos half way through the holidays to remind us that we did have some sun in case it was still raining .....but today is a sunny day and i should be swimming!
But it is lovely to see these again and share them on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ShallalDanceTheatreCompany/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1486546571405937

Toby at the Minack Theatre

I haven't wanted to put anything on FB till now as we were chasing moving from one of 28 ( chosen from hundreds) to the final 6 with Barbara's wonderful short film As we get Older https://vimeo.com/222581309, in The Real Stories Short Film competition, however we achieved 12.5K views so far!!! and international sharing and comments https://www.facebook.com/ondru.org but sadly not chosen for the final 6! However great experience and wonderful to have the film shared and viewed and commented on:
"Real Stories is brightening up our morning with the short documentary by Barbara Santi, detailing the experiences of those involved with inclusive Shallal Dance Theatre Company.
The creative arts allow people to engage on a level of equality, Shallal demonstrates the power of offering people a safe, creative outlet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu3qRuFFgZs&t=218s - Have a little watch of the longer documentary by the dance group for some touching experiences of dancers within the group."

The Exhibitions are on through the summer:
Shallal Sketchbooks at Falmouth Library
Belinda's Doorway photographs at Gyllyngdune Gardens foyer, Princess Pavillions, Falmouth
and Ladders and  Footprints exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery.....good comments and appreciation from audiences there
oin
Toby's wonderful Passmore Edwards painting
Lots still going on in the Shallal life, 50 Shallal Sketchbooks are going up to Launceston Library for....
"As a town we are about to celebrate our local poet Charles Causley’s 100th Birthday on 24th August, our library works closely with our local museum and festival organisers.
.... it would be amazing to hand out 50 books, let people sketch and write as they celebrate, touring the town and venues where his poems are set.
Books can be put on exhibition in one of the sites like the library or museum afterwards."

Cross Boundaries ACE application in for Back Lane West Residency in October, fingers crossed.

Lou and i went to meet Cultivator at Krowji
https://cultivatorcornwall.org.uk/

Barbara has written our half way report for Cornish Doorways


Work for our community groups continues, new one starting in Penzance in September with Colin and friends!

Trustee Nick Fripp is writing applications, and a phone conversation last night with Toby about his dream Tree House Studio! Nick is very supportive of this - its so important to work with others as often the best projects are things i have to be convinced of!
This one was in that bracket when first suggested, but now 'why not!" and new Shallal friend Nigel has experience creating totally accessible toilet with hoist in a field with the school leavers class at his last job, so all possible, bring on the dreams in summer with sunsets and sunrises!
Happy Holidays and here's to the busy times ahead as well!

Sunday 6 August 2017

Audience Evaluation from Ladders and Footprints

It's always good to share the feedback, Shallal Dance Theatre's last session of the term, was spent listening to and discussing and collecting our own feedback from Ladders and Footprints  and then reading the Audience Evaluations to each other!

Audience Evaluations

Did you enjoy the event?  Yes a lot  48     Yes a little    1  

Why?
Very happy inclusive event
Educational & beautiful
Captivating, always something to look at, well put together
Well interpreted & full of enthusiasm
Everyone so happy
Inspiring
Quality – creative, loved seeing people come to life, clearly a real community allowing all to shine
Enlightening & entertaining
Radiated happiness
Emotional
Well produced
Different locations added to show
Movement excellent ditto costume
Very imaginative concept symbolism clear
Wonderful opportunity for people with diff needs & to see them enjoying every moment
Seeing our son do something he loves with people he enjoys being with
Expressive
Diversity
Always love to see Shallal
Fun exciting innovative
Always witty site specific inventive very engaging
Books libraries philanthropy.. whats not to love

Did the event highlight any local heritage themes?    Yes a lot   37 Yes  little 9    Not sure  1 
Explain -
History of PE ( Passmore Edwards)
Interesting to hear PE life story
PE is wonderful
The future of libraries is in our hands
PE x 9
PE a fantastic man who cared
History of local libraries
Wonderful to have a town council that wants a public library & supports a performance like this
PE his roots
Uses of libraries
Yes
Did the event enhance your experience of the location? Yes a lot  39 Y little 6  Not sure 2 

Did this event enable you to increase understanding of inclusive arts?
Yes a lot   39   Yes little   5   Not sure  3  Not at all 1

Explain
Just look at the players faces, all smiles laughter and thorough enjoyment
Very glad to see a closing of the gap
The diversity of the company – everything was possible for everyone
so welcoming & friendly – no limits
Enables all to perform within their abilities & stretches them
I really saw how people of all abilities can dance & convey meaning
It is tremendous how Shallal enables people with complex & different needs excel in different disciplines
Inclusive arts bring so much joy to people previously excluded
Inclusive arts are executed to a very high standard with Shallal
Brill to see an everyday location transformed
The diversity of expression was exquisite
Lovely to see the inclusion of people with varied abilities expressing themselves through art
Love the mixture of all people
All abilities welcome & integrated beautifully
Diversity showcased, different skills, different art forms, site specific work illustrates both how audiences are made up of various & artists don't exist in a vacuum but can comment & enhance location & contemporary discourse.
Amazing that people with disabilities were fully included
Such a diverse group of artistic talented people.
Everybody can & everybody does with such joy
No barriers to expression

Comments
I will remember it for the rest of my life
A rare opportunity for people to be able to experience performing & showing their talents
Inspiring
The town council must consider funding this performance during Falmouth week
Brilliant
Shallal has high standards & stretches those it works with to perform to the best of their abilities. I think it is quite unique
Brilliant performance yet again
Lovely to see the inclusion of people thoroughly enjoyed it, appreciate all the time & effort it must have taken
More - encore next time
Very impressed, i'd like to see more, great in its site specific aspect
Thank you so much I came to 2 performances
Loved the range of artistic expression
I use the library a lot & pleased to see events of this type