Donald
Williamson
Delegates
appear to have taken part in an extremely rich feast. People clearly enjoyed
the event - and themselves. Delegates were challenged and inspired and made
aware of how they could aim further for 'best practice'. Comments varied
from the benefits gained by hearing elderly dance project case studies -
to learning from other people's fundraising experience - and much else.
There was general recognition and acclaim for the very warm supportive
atmosphere throughout the two days time spent together. Experienced presenters
and delegates were very free in their sharing of their knowledge - the
humility of people who know a lot but are also willing share it was striking.
It seems as if dancers and those interested in dance are truly open and
supportive by nature, making this conference much more enjoyable for the
delegates than is usual.
There was ample opportunity for 'Networking',' Gatekeeping' and the
like especially given the diversity and expertise on hand. It was interesting
from a geographical point of view that here were many delegates from not
only from obvious centres like Liverpool Manchester and London but also
there seemed to be a large contingent from less predictable parts of the
country, e.g., Nottingham. There was a strong Indian Dance presence. A
key feature of Indian Dance is the mingling of the generations. (Can British
dancers emulate?) As the conference drew towards a close there was realisation
that its obvious success owed much to the fact that it was conceived and
organised, somewhat unusually, by a dance practitioner - Bisakha Sarker.
There was a lot of dance. There were many kinds of dance on display. There
was a general non-specific call to have another such major event in 5
years time ('We owe this to the future') There was a more immediate hope
for "A National Festival of Older People Dancing" Francois Matarasso
commented that all his prior anxieties about this wonderful event in Liverpool
were unnecessary. He re-iterated the general consensus that much of the
success was due to it being conceived by a dancer. The range of ages of
the participants ages- from 'the young and innocent' to the story tellers
of later life' - was striking. Francois remarked that there needs to be
a greater awareness of the potential to gain and use 'empowerment' throughout
life. (Potential empowerment can fall away with age -older people get
pushed aside.) There had been a superb sense of community evident throughout
the conference. The quality of contribution was high. Everyone had contributed
- even if only by applause! There had been an affirmation of what was
important in dance. Older people have the opportunity to develop through
dance - and to give their dance to others. The conference exceeded all
expectations of organisers and delegates.
The three main conference objectives outlined at the beginning of this
conference were met. L It was amply demonstrated that dance opportunities
for older people surround us. We are challenged to seek and find further
opportunities not only in the voluntary and charity sector but (as in
the Wirral example) in the state sector. 2. There should be much encouragement
to mature professionals in the fertile scene that confronts us. The very
practical comments, e.g., those made by Bisakha Sarker, need to be further
explored and developed into a larger, more complete^ professional body
of knowledge. 3 .Best practice was well nurtured at the conference. Much
more can now be done to make it more widely available, especially to groups
of senior citizens in the community. Much more needs to be done to ensure
a fuller sharing of acquired knowledge with mature performers throughout
the land. Delegates got superb value for money Lessons to be learnt: There
was a need for more signposting, for keeping queues down and, in particular.
Sound Management. (Many .speakers were confident they could be heard when
they couldn't. More thought is needed not only re sound equipment but
also re helping all who wish to be heard to be confident in the knowledge
that they are heard
The spontaneous gratitude shown by the delegates at the end of the conference
must Report writer's POSTSCRIPT Could we hear more not only from Europe
but from America (where it was said there was a good body of experience
and also from other non-European countries)? There was a happy absence
of impenetrable jargon - not sure 'Well Aging' will prove a useful term
to aid communication and the cause. Although focus was directed towards
another key event in 5 years time, there is now plenty of momentum to
feed off for the next two years. Sri Sarker observed that after events
of this kind there tended to be an inheritance of 100 ideas all of which
could not be pursued. There needs to be something of a meltdown before
effective initiatives can move forward. On a personal thought, could a
Liverpool based working party be set up involving e.g. Bisakha Sarker,
Dr Mukherjee, Julia Hanna, Jackie Guy and a marketing-oriented member
- to look at what could be done to spread word and practice more widely?
Could major sponsorship be sought not least from e.g. Help the Aged, Age
Concern, Arts Council and Liverpool based charities to construct a marketing
communication strategy which would take advantage of the spotlit possibilities
offered in 2008 by Liverpool City of Culture? Given the success of feature
films like Billy Elliot and Calendar Girls, there is scope for another
popular film featuring dance and the elderly.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
Donald Williamson
