Wrapping up 2021 - A BIG THANK YOU TO Y'ALL

Dear all,

as we wrap up 2021, we wanted to take a moment to extend a very warm thank you for dancing with us, supporting us, showing interest, staying curious, and just generally showing up over the past few months.

Following a break, we were able to re-launch a Gather Up programme of activities in September. Despite the challenges we face in these times, we are incredibly happy to have been able to offer weekly Monday Morning Classes, Monthly Open Practice sessions, and a Workshop (thank you Jane Mason), with a total of 63 different dancers attending. The Library of People now has seven active ‘librarians’ offering free support and mentoring to artists across the city. We have also launched a Care Pot and the first of our Response Pot call out is now live. We are grateful to all of the teachers, hosts and participants who make all of this possible.

We will be welcoming 2022 in with a flourish of activity. This will include a workshop with Rosemary Lee (22nd January) and announcing the two Response Pot artists (deadline: 14th January). We will also be hosting a meal in February, a gathering for our community and an opportunity to share a bit of the research we’ve been undertaking around artist-led arts organisations. 

Monday Morning Classes start again on 10th January with Kip Johnson delivering the next block of 3 classes, followed by Crystal Zillwood in February. The next Open Practice will be on 18th January. Our Care Pot is available to support the extra costs that may occur whilst attending our programme, such as travel expenses or childcare. Please drop us a line if you would like to discuss receiving Care Pot support.

We will continue to share through our social media channels, so do give us a follow if you’d like to be kept in the Gather Up loop: @gather_up_dance on IG & @GATHERUP on Fb, or check our website for more information on all of the above.

And a big thank you to our project partners Bristol Old Vic, Arnolfini, Tobacco Factory Theatres and funders Arts Council England and Bristol City Council, with additional support from Bristol Dance Futures. 

For now we are going to kick back and relax for a bit.

As we do so, we wish you all a very peaceful end to the year.

Laila, Katherine and Laura,

at team Gather Up.

 

Dance first. Think Later. It's the natural order - Samuel Beckett