Photos by Nina Gastreich
For its second year-running, ASPiRE is ready to bring audiences a new range of dance works that exhibit diversity, inclusion, and how dance can benefit participants of all ages. For one night only, from dancers between 60 and 85 years old, there will be performances from Maori, Chinese, Flamenco, Bollywood, ballroom, contemporary and jazz dance groups....
ASPiRE is more than just a dance show though. ASPiRE is a showcase of the profound affects creative ageing can have on the quality of life experienced by the older generation. Creative ageing is the active participation in creative work and art in any form, by seniors - those aged 60 or older. This participation helps strengthen and keep neural pathways in the brain active. Dance in particular, has been shown to do this, as well as improve balance, joint mobility, and muscle strength, which helps mitigate injuries in older people. As the population lives longer, the more people with age-related cognitive problems will increase. Because of this, it’s hard to estimate just how important the impact of arts in ageing communities is now, and could be in the future.
This year’s ASPiRE has nine groups performing, four of them from last year and five new groups. The returners include the popular Forever Young Jazz group from Empire Studios and the Senior Moments Formation Team from North Shore Dance Centre. SeniorsDANCE Company returns to the stage with a new work, Journeys Framed. This new short dance work tells a story about Pakeha migration to Aotearoa during the 19th Century and is funded by Albert-Eden Local Board.
For one night only, ASPiRE celebrates the hard work of members of the senior creative community and is brought to you by Northern Dance Network. “ASPiRE will truly show the world – well a small part of Auckland and especially the dance community - that one is never too old to dance.”- Susan Jordan, President of NDN and curator of the show.
NDN is grateful for funding from Foundation North, Creative Communities, Waitematā Local Board and the support of TAPAC.
