Summer is over, the schools are starting and the autumn term is here. For many, starting a new term means that it’s time to explore and register for a number of extra leisure activities and cultural experiences. But the harsh truth is that not everyone can take part in what’s on offer. If you cannot use your legs properly and are having trouble getting around without a wheelchair, then a lot of these leisure activities are closed off to you due to inaccessible premises. If you have a hard time concentrating, receiving instructions or communicate then a few more options are closed off to you. If you have vision or hearing impairment, yet more options are closed off. This is not the way it should be, and this is something we want to change.

We in Danskompaniet Spinn long for a society and a cultural world that is open to everyone, regardless of any disabilities. In order to enable more people to take part in dance education, in 2014 we started SpinnVäxa along with Studieförbundet Bilda.

We want more people to meet across boundaries and across limitations based on disabilities. We believe in and long for meetings where we learn from each other and together. We believe diversity makes us grow. We thing different is exciting, and we see how this leads to massive creativity and a desire to create. We believe that, when we’ve reached the point where we see each other’s differences as opportunities instead of difficulties, we can create something unique and new together.

SpinnVäxa is inclusive dance groups for children, youth and adults with and without disabilities. In SpinnVäxa, the dancers meet on equal terms in dance groups divided by age. We work from each individual’s unique possibilities, evolving both as individuals and as a group. Our aim is that everybody, regardless of disabilities, should be able to develop within the art of dance.

This autumn’s dance classes are about to start!
Read more about SpinnVäxa and how to register here on our web site. If you have any questions, just send an email to jenny.sandgren@bilda.nu

During spring SpinnUnga, Spinn’s company for young dancers, started up a collaboration with Gothenburg based artist Nadia Nair. And now we have the great pleasure to present the video for Nadia’s new single Forever! In the video, directed by Moa Viking, dancer’s from SpinnUnga performs a choreography by Anna Bergström, Artistic Director of SpinnUnga.

Last week SpinnUnga and dancers from Spinn also performed with Nadia during Göteborgs Kulturkalas.

Stretching the Physicality of Dance is a two-day conference about exploring new ideas in working with inclusive performing arts.

The conference aims to stimulate debate and broaden perception on contemporary dance and disability in Germany and European context. Stretching the Physicality of Dance is presented by tanzfähig and Dachverband Tanz and takes place at Uferstudios in Berlin on August 23-24. Among the participants are Joanne Lyons and Tanja Erhart from Candoco Dance Company and Evelyne Wohlfarter and Bernhard Richarz from tanzfähig. The program include lectures, workshops, plenary discussions, panels and a forum where participants of the congress are invited to present their own projects in short form.

Registration fee is 60/30 euro. The conference’s languages are German, English and German sign language. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.

More information and registration can be found here.

Stretching the Physicality of Dance is one of the events that takes place in the context of the EU-project Moving Beyond Inclusion. The Berlin based tanzfähig is the German partner of the EU project whose lead partner is London based company Candoco Dance Company.

During Göteborgs Kulturkalas that takes place in Gothenburg on August 16-20, Spinn will contribute with both workshops and performances. And in addition to this, our amzing dancer Emilia Wärff will also be the host at Tältscenen on Kungstorget on Thursday August 17!

Spinn/SpinnUnga and Nadia Nair
SpinnUnga and dancers from Spinn will share the stage with Swedish artist Nadia Nair at Tältscenen on Kungstorget on August 16 at 16.00.

The concert comes from a collaboration between Nadia Nair and Spinn/SpinnUnga along with choreographer Anna Bergström. The collaboration started during spring 2017 with the music video for the track Forever. The concerts starts with SpinnUnga, Spinns company for young dancers, performing the piece Rätt att ta plats, followed by a shared concert with Nadia Nair, her band and dancers from both Spinn and SpinnUnga.

Rätt att ta plats was created by Anna Bergström, Director of SpinnUnga, along with the dancers.

Read more about the concert here.
The concert is open to everyone and free of charge.

Dansworkshop with SpinnVäxa and Passalen
SpinnVäxa and Passagen will host workshops at Trädgårdsföreningen, Thursday August 17 at 14.15-14.45 for ages 4-6, and at 15.00-15.45 for ages 12 and above.

Join us for an exiting workshop where we work with each individual’s unique possibilities as the starting point. In dance we meet on equal terms, because dancing doesn’t have to be that hard. Here we encourage curiosity, exploration and drive. This is a creative dance workshop for people both with and without disabilities.

The Prova på! area where the workshops are held is located at the playgrounds in Trädgårdsföreningen. Follow the instructions from the audience hosts so that everyone who wants to take part can have a good experience. Parents with strollers are advised to place these in the designated areas. The whole area is accessible for wheelchair and walker users.

The workshops are lead by Jenny Sandgren Wahlström, Dance Teacher and Director of SpinnVäxa.

Read more about the workshop for children ages 4-6 here.
Read more about the workshop for ages 12 and above here.
The workshops are open to everyone and free of charge.