Dance for over 55-s who’d rather dance than sit still

Dance for each and everyone

Dance is for everyone, regardless of age, background and experience. Not just to observe, but – as we believe at Holland Dance Festival – certainly also to do yourself. That’s why we organise classes, workshops and other special dance projects for various target groups. We pay extra attention to the seniors in our society, from those over 55 years old who are still extremely vital to residents of care and nursing homes.

Everyone can dance, each body has its own unique movement and expressiveness. And this certainly applies to seniors as well. Whether or not they have dance experience: older people, through their life experience, can express very different things in dance than young people. That is why Holland Dance Festival considers it important that they too can experience the power of dance. Dance touches people, touches people, provides pleasure and relaxation and can generate feelings of freedom. Dance moves people, stimulates creativity, creates (new) social contacts, and helps people to express themselves, even where this is sometimes impossible or no longer possible with words.

“For me, dance is mainly relaxation. I dance because it gives me a lot of energy. And no, there is no age limit on dancing. You just have to do it: keep moving, have fun.”

Julia Wielstra, 59 years old, participant Good [old] Times

“I was originally an architect and see dance as a continuation of it. By dancing I can continue to use the space. If I could, I think that I will still move in my coffin.”

Jozef Sloots, 81 years old, participant Good [old] Times

Good [old] Times and Stay Moving
Our dance programme for senior citizens has two main lines: Good [old] Times, meant for everyone over 55 who is still vital and wants to stay vital, and Stay Moving, aimed at the elderly, especially in care and nursing homes. The starting point for both projects is the individual movement possibilities and power of movement, as well as the personal stories, emotions and experience of the participants. From there we challenge people to find their own ‘dance language’. A language that has more impact than gymnastics, for example. Dance is a language that communicates, connects, enraptures and often stimulates the production of so-called ‘lucky hormones’.

Professional team of teachers
It is important that we have our own professional team of teachers. It is our strong conviction that amateur art also – or rather – deserves a professional, high-quality approach. In order to guarantee this, we ensure that our team of teachers can continue to develop and that we are constantly aware of what is going on at home and abroad in the field of dance for senior citizens.