STRUT INVERCLYDE
Thu 17th + Fri 18th Oct 2024 /// 7-8pm
In association with RIG ARTS
STRUT is a night time performance and projection parade shining the light on 5 talented dancers with a connection to Inverclyde whose personal choreographies reflect the celebratory energy of the town with Pop, Northern Soul, Lyrical, Majorette and Funk dance styles in the mix.
These talented movers and shakers were selected from a wide-ranging Open Call, with the help of a community panel. The rotating one-performer parade weave its way around locations in Port Glasgow town centre and the Auchmountain Neighborhood of Greenock with spectators watching from the pavement, waving from their windows or following the event and dancing along.
LINK TO TONIGHT’S SHOW LIVE STREAM:
ROUTES:
The procession will visit these streets on the following dates and times:
Parking: if coming by car, please refrain from parking close to the parade route to avoid blocking the view of the performance.
Greenock
Thu 17th Oct: 7pm to 8pm
Start Point: outside AUCHMOUNTAIN community centre (PA15 3LG)
Route: Burnhead St and Corlic St
Ends Corlic St Roundabout
Port Glasgow
Fri 18th Oct: 7pm to 8pm
Start Point: Outside new parish church. (PA14 5JD)
Route: Church St, King St, John Wood St, Bay St
Ends in front of Port Glasgow Library
DANCER BIOS
AARON
Aaron is 9 years old and lives in Kilmacolm with his Mum, Dad, Brother and Dog. He loves to dance to the music of Michael Jackson but enjoys all sorts of dancing. Aaron says “I love to dance as I can express my feelings without saying anything and it’s just fun to do. I am excited to be involved in STRUT to show others my passion for dance and go out on the streets and just enjoy myself.”
ELAINE
Elaine is 52 years of age is originally from Motherwell and works in University Hospital in Wishaw. She took up Northern Soul Dancing about 5 years ago and has always loved Tamala Mowtown Music. In 2003 she was in a serious road accident and spent months in the spinal unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She had sustained life changing injuries and a brain injury transferring to a brain unit at Murdouston Castle where she learned to walk and talk again rebuilding her life.
Elaine says: “When I dance for some unknown reason the pain I experience on a daily basis with my spinal injury leaves. Northern Soul and the people are more like a family rather than just friends. If you need anything or someone to speak to the people are always there. It’s a feeling when the music starts, your heart is beating with excitement to get up and dance.”
Elaine’s connection to Inverclyde goes back to 2000 when her Mum and Dad bought a caravan in Weymess Bay. Unfortunately just after buying it her Dad passed away suddenly at the age of 55. Elaine, her Mum and Daughter enjoyed escaping on holiday to this part of Inverclyde where they could grieve privately. Elaine says: “The residents all around us were so friendly and would check if we needed anything. This ended up being our happy place where we went every weekend. We have built lifelong friendships with people from Inverkip, Greenock and the surrounding areas.”
LAUREN & ASTYN
Lauren (11) trains 6 days a week in different styles of dance including lyrical, acro, jazz and ballet amongst others. She recently represented Scotland at the Dance World Cup in Prague where she was a bronze medalist and last year won Junior Lyrical Dancer of the Year.
Lauren says: “I am lucky to have an excellent role model in my dance teacher Kerri Hair and I hope to be a role model for other young girls interested in starting dance classes. I am happiest when dancing as it gives me freedom to express myself keeps me active and confident . I sometimes have to pinch myself when thinking about how fortunate I have been when travelling around the country and beyond doing what I love, making memories and gaining many championship titles. I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to be involved with Strut. As it is in Inverclyde, my home, my family and friends can be involved.”
Astyn (8) has been dancing since she was 4 and train 5/6 days a week with Unity Dance Project. She practices lyrical, jazz, acro, ballet and commercial dance. She competes regularly and has recently been to Prague for the Dance World Cup where she qualified to represent Scotland for 3 solos; winning a gold medal for Jazz, a silver medal for Acro and coming 7th place for lyrical.
Astyn says: “I love dancing because it makes me happy and excites me. I have met so many friends through Dance and think of some of them as family. I am so excited to be part of Strut as I can't wait to Dance through the streets in my local area. Inverclyde means a lot to me as its where I have been brought up and my whole family come from this area. Staying in Inverclyde allowed me to attend the Dance school that I love.”
NADIA
Dancer Nadia specialises in everything Funk including dance styles such as Locking, Popping and Waacking in her choreography. She loves dance because it gives her the freedom to move to music and makes her feel energised and happy.
Since Summer 2023 she has been enjoying working in Inverclyde through support from The Beacon Arts Centre and Inverclyde Culture Collective. Nadia has been teaching young people in the community hip-hop and funk styles of dance. She enjoys being able to bring a new style of dance to the area and that local children are so passionate and enthusiastic to learn new things.
Nadia says: “I have seen photos of the previous performances and was excited to see it was coming to the West of Scotland as we don't get many outdoor performance opportunities. I also like to meet other new dancers of different styles.”
SARAH
11 year old Dancer Sarah dances Tap, Ballet, Majorette and Modern. She has been a member of the Aileen Gillen School of Dance since she was 4 years old and practices every Saturday in her local Community Centre in Port Glasgow.
Sarah says: “I have always loved dancing for as long as I can remember and there is music on 24/7 in our house because of this. I just don't like sitting still! I am really excited to be Involved in STRUT as I haven't done anything like this before. I’ve decided to dance Majorette in the show because not a lot of people do Majorette anymore and I want to show people how much fun it can be.”
Sarah has lived in Port Glasgow her entire life and attends the local Primary School. She has a strong connection to the town. Her Granny lives on the same street and her Nana and Granda live two streets down. Also, most of her friends are from Port Glasgow.
ROCKIN ROB – MC
Rockin Rob from Clyde Coast Radio is our MC for STRUT Inverclyde.
Rob has always been an outdoorsy person from working on his parents farm to service in the Retained Armed Forces in the Royal Artillery for 4yrs.
A self-taught guitarist and drummer he has gigged a lot with different bands throughout the country and also done a few single gigs for friends parties. He moved from South Lanarkshire back to Port Glasgow (where his parents are originally from) to help his family to run the charity radio station Clyde Coast Radio. The radio station has become his 2nd home where he takes on the role of Lead Volunteer. Not only does he broadcast his own live shows every week but also teaches the new volunteers exactly what they need to know about creating their own radio show.
