Gwanwyn-inspired dancers debut at Eisteddfod
Published on 31 July 2013 10:30 AM
A new dance company for over 60s will be making its debut performance at the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.
Cain Performance Company is Galeri Caernarfon's dance company for older people.
It will be performing ‘Anwel' (Invisible) - a piece about older people feeling invisible in society, at 11.00am on Monday 5 August in Theatr y Maes.
Mari Emlyn, Galeri Caernarfon's Artistic Director says:
"Last year, we commissioned a performance and workshop by the Company of Elders from Sadler's Wells Theatre.
"This was organised with support from Age Cymru's Gwanwyn arts festival.
"Around about this time, the dance artist and director Cai Tomos was also taking a dance class with a group of over 60s.
"Cai's group was inspired by the Company of Elders to form a dance company of its own, and that's how Cain was born.
"Since then the group has made one brief appearance at Galeri but this performance at the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh will be its first proper public outing.
"Cain will debut an expanded repertoire at the Eisteddfod that it will be performing at its future shows, as well as premiering new music specially commissioned for the performance by 9Bach."
‘Anwel' is about older people feeling that they are invisible in society and that they don't have a platform to express themselves on.
Commenting on the project, Age Cymru's Healthy Ageing Manager Claire Bottomley says:
"The Gwanwyn festival from Age Cymru and Galeri Caernarfon have a long established tradition of encouraging older people to enjoy the arts.
"Art can inspire, help us to discover ourselves and give us the freedom to express ourselves in ways that nothing else can do.
"Very many older people feel overlooked and undervalued by society and Galeri Caernarfon is to be commended for this innovative and exciting project.
"What better way of exploring and tackling this feeling of cultural and social invisibility than seeing older people taking part in a dance performance at one of the biggest cultural festivals in Europe?"
Mari Emlyn and Cai Tomos will be speaking about the ‘Anwel' project at Caffi'r Theatrau at 2.00pm on Monday 5 August.
‘Anwel‘ has been sponsored by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council.