Dear Magpie Dance family,
In these worrying times we want to provide you with a clear picture of our current situation and future plans so that you may reassure your participant about the future of Magpie Dance.
We also have some positive tips on ways to keep dancing and keep in touch, even if you’re self-isolating.
At present, all sessions, performances and ambassador duties are suspended.
Our plans for the rest of the year are as follows:
Remainder of Spring term
Sessions will not run. These final two weeks of term will be added to the Autumn term (September – December).
Easter School
Will not be taking place and bookings are closed. Instead, we are hopeful we will run two summer schools; a 3-day event early in July at the start of the summer school holidays and the usual 4-day summer school towards the end of August.
If you have already signed up for Easter School, our Operations Coordinator, Ayanna, will be contacting you soon.
Summer Term
Sessions will not run during the first half of term. We hope to deliver 6 sessions between June and July but will follow government guidelines closer to the time.
Please continue to return booking forms for the summer, but if you have not already done so please do not send payment. When we have a start date for the summer term we will be in touch and advise fees/refunds due at that point. If possible, please send booking forms via email admin@magpiedance.org.uk as the office post will only be checked once a week.
e-Motion Performance – 24th May (and rehearsals on the 23rd May)
The e-Motion performance scheduled for Langley Park Boys School on 24th May and the rehearsals on 23rd May will not take place. The event falls within the 12 week window the government advise we should avoid social contact. We are hopeful the event will take place later in the year.
Summer school
We hope to run our usual provision of a 4-day summer school at the end of the school holidays, in late August. More details to follow nearer the time. We are also investigating holding an additional 3-day summer school at the start of the school holidays. When any information is confirmed we will of course be in touch to provide these opportunities to as many of our dancers as possible.
Autumn Term 2020 and Spring term 2021
The current plan will be to run 12 week terms so that we have provide the usual 30 sessions over the course of the next year. Plenty of opportunities to keep dancing!
Erica Moshman, Lead Facilitator
For those of you who have dancers in our Tuesday Mini/Junior, Friday Body Conditioning/Contemporary or Saturday Youth/Technique sessions, you may already know that Lead Facilitator, Erica Moshman, is leaving to move to Edinburgh.
A huge thanks to Erica for her dedication and commitment to Magpie Dance over seven years – she will be greatly missed and we wish her every success on her new venture.
For all of you who would like the chance to wish Erica well and for dancers to have a chance to say goodbye, we are hoping (fingers crossed) that Erica may be able to return in the Summer for some type of leaving do…so watch this space and we’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, we are delighted to announce that experienced facilitators Georgia will lead the Tuesday sessions; Amy will be stepping up to lead the Friday Adult Technique – Body Conditioning and Contemporary sessions; and Annie will be leading the Saturday morning Technique and Youth sessions.
Contacting us
Our office venue has also temporarily closed and office staff are working from home on their usual days/hours. As the office has now closed please ask your dancer not to visit us there.
Should you need to contact us, please email Operations Coordinator, Ayanna at admin@magpiedance.co.uk or call the Magpie Dance mobile on 07597 266 717.
Post will be checked once a week, so for all important communication and a speedier response please email. You can either email the person you would like to contact or direct your query to admin@magpiedance.org.uk.
We will review the situation at the end of April and will be in contact with you all then.
Keep dancing and keep positive
On a more positive note, if you are looking for a way for everyone to keep active until classes resume or having to self-isolate, you can take part in “Connect 35” our free, online participatory dance project at https://logonjoinindance.magpiedance.org.uk
Follow the instructions: make up your own dance inspired by the number 35, film it, and upload to the website.
We will be uploading new videos every month so keep an eye out.
You can also while away the time by taking a look at our Magpie Dance YouTube channel.
Keep in touch
Follow us on our website, social media Facebook and Twitter.
As the office has now closed please ask your dancer not to visit us there.
Talking to your dancer about Coronavirus (Covid-19)
PLEASE reassure your dancer that Magpie Dance will continue and that this is just a temporary phase so we can keep everybody safe and healthy.
Particularly relevant for our Mini and Junior parents, we attach a useful document you may wish to share with your dancer that gives information about Coronavirus accompanied by pictures and simple explanations. As well as an Easy Read Guide from Mencap suitable for our Youth and Adults that you may wish to share.
You may also like to watch The Hand Washing Rap together.
There are many more resources online. Here are a few to get you started:
Mencap has advice and support as well as an easy read guide.
Diabetes UK has provided an updated information page for people living with diabetes.
Asthma UK has released a blog post with advice for people with asthma.
The British Heart Foundation has published guidance for people with health problems.
The National Eczema Society has offered advice on handwashing techniques for people with eczema and other skin conditions.
SignHealth has created British Sign Language (BSL) videos to help deaf BSL users either working in charities or receiving support.
Carers UK has produced recommendations for carers.
Full Fact has generated a fact check page on covid-19 to help dispel any false information.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Primary Immunodeficiency UK and the Mental Health Foundation have all issued advice and support.
You can keep up to date with the latest government advice here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
See you soon
Look after yourselves and we look forward to welcoming you back to classes, later in the year. Till then
