Queensland Ballet shares the joy for World Dance for Parkinson’s Day

World Dance for Parkinson’s DayQueensland Ballet will join with 12 other internationally acclaimed dance companies to showcase its renowned Dance for Parkinson’s program on a free online portal created especially to celebrate the global World Dance for Parkinson’s Day on Saturday, April 29.

 

Alongside English National Ballet (UK), Houston Ballet (USA), Dutch National Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group (USA), Skanes Dansteater (Sweden), and others, Queensland Ballet’s electronic contribution to the global celebration reflects on the combined journey of participant and carer, the partnership with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia and the role former Principal Dancer Matthew Lawrence now holds in connecting people and dance.

 

Artistic Director Li Cunxin notes the weekly Dance for Parkinson’s classes held at the Thomas Dixon Centre, the home of Queensland Ballet in West End, Brisbane, are a very important way for the company to connect with community and to actively contribute to research.

 

“We are shining a light on the power of the arts to lift and inspire people” he said. “At Queensland Ballet we believe in the power of dance to transform and enrich lives – our Dance for Parkinson’s program is clear evidence of this.”

 

World Dance for Parkinson’s DayQueensland Ballet Education and Engagement Director Felicity Mandile explained the importance of programming the Dance for Parkinson’s classes into the weekly dance class schedule that now sees on average more than 1500 participants per month enjoy everything from Ballet for Seniors to Tiny Dancers, the company’s unique program for developing artistry and creativity in the early years.

 

“Our weekly dance classes are a reminder that regardless of where our life journey takes us, our artistry is something we never lose,” she said.

 

Parkinson’s affects more than 10 million people around the globe. A growing body of peer-reviewed scientific research from the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan and England suggests that participating in a Dance for Parkinson’s program improves short-term mobility, balance, coordination and walking for people with Parkinson’s, as well as supporting social inclusion, positive mood and confidence.

 

The classes have been extremely popular, not just for the beneficial results, but for the fun and enjoyment.

 

World Dance for Parkinson’s Day“The classes themselves are full of laughter and jokes and you look at the variety of people in the room and you find out their backgrounds and what they have done with their lives. It’s awe inspiring, it really is,” said Peter Wall, a participant of Dance for Parkinson’s.

 

This inaugural World Dance for Parkinson’s Day celebration also coincides with International Dance Day. Via the online platform www.danceforparkinsons.online viewers will see streamed examples of Dance for Parkinson’s classes from 12 cities on four continents.

 

Queensland Ballet has been a leader of the Dance for Parkinson’s Australia movement. It’s pilot program continues to inform and influence other Dance for Parkinson’s classes.

 

For more information on Queensland Ballet’s weekly dance class schedule and to find out about other ways the company is contributing to community health and wellbeing, visit www.queenslandballet.com.au.

 

All images by Christian Tiger.