It is not often the stage is shared between performers ranging from five years to over 75 years, but that is exactly what happened at Mayfield Memorial Hall when Mayfield Silver Swans and Peak Ballet young dancers put on an afternoon concert/ social to highlight the skills and ability they all shared and to show just how much fun they have in doing it.
Silver Swans, a group of older dancers who dance for fun and for exercise, have been at Mayfield for some time working with Lara Ross of Peak Ballet and Mayfield Silver Swans were joined by similar groups from Matlock and Belper. The Swans danced specially choreographed ‘mash ups’ of different ballet steps led by their teacher Lara and showed both their skills and ability at ballet, receiving much applause from the large 100 plus audience at the hall.
At the other end of the age spectrum were dancers as young as 5yrs and under who gave a number of delightful performances of the dance steps and movements they had learnt ranging from simple exercises up to full blown ballet pieces including pirouettes and complex footwork. The enthusiasm and sheer joy in dancing that these young people showed won over an already enthusiastic audience and contributed towards a most pleasant and happy afternoon of music, dance and arts. The concert, starting at 2:30pm and finishing at 4:30pm, was free with voluntary donations on the door for refreshments and a fund to assist Ukrainian families with ballet tuition and uniform fees.
As the concert ended Lara got every single person in the audience to stand up and join in some simple ballet moves with the dancers on stage. It proved to be a very enjoyable finale to the concert. And after the concert there was the social side with delicious snacks and cakes made by Mayfield’s own Mel Coates, food much in demand amongst the dancers who had used up so much energy in the afternoon.
There was great interest in the performances and in the enthusiasm of all ages to learn and enjoy dance. Lara runs Silver Swans at Mayfield Memorial Hall on Mondays at 12 noon and 1:15 pm. If anyone is interested in having a go or rediscovering their childhood enjoyment of ballet, they can contact Lara by text/ call 07776 236007 or email peakballet@outlook.com