The Coming Back Out Ball social dance clubs, a celebration of LGBTQ+ elders in Scotland, are to bring some magic, warmth and sparkle to December with two FREE events: a Winter Special from 1pm on Sunday, December 13 and the Midwinter Warmer from 3pm on Tuesday, December 29.
Crammed full of chatting, boogying and cheer, the special guest this month is Mridul Wadhwa, an intersectional human rights activist. Mridul, who was included in this year’s Pride Power List, will chat about her Desert Island Disc selection and why they mean so much to her.
To help spread some Christmas cheer, the elders have recorded and written short festive messages for members of LGBTQ+ youth to create connections across the generations and help support them during these months. Hopefully some replies will have arrived from the younger group that can be shared during the Dance Club.
Many of the members are reluctant to say goodbye at the end of the Dance Club so there will be a Post Dance Club chat hosted by those who want to keep chatting – and even dancing!
The period between Christmas and New year can be a lonely and isolating time for many people, including LGBTQ+ elders so The Coming Back Out Ball team are planning a cosy midwinter warmer between Christmas and New Year to keep up the seasonal cheer, featuring a festive quiz, sing-along, games and of course, some dancing.
Kay Percy from Dyke Inverness said: “Before Covid, Dance Club was a great fun way to meet new friends and socialise in a relaxed and safe environment. Since Covid, it has become a key part of keeping the elder community in touch with each other with the added bonus of building stronger bonds across Scotland.
“Dance Club is great fun, something to look forward to and so much more. We have loved the extra get togethers too which has allowed us to make friends with lovely people we would never have met. A brilliant way to combat isolation for those of us with limited opportunities to keep in touch with our tribe”.
Stewart Gow, a Glasgow member, added: “I’m so looking forward with excitement to the Winter Dance Club. All the online dance clubs so far have lifted my spirits and left me feeling elated. Brilliant fun, so if anyone is thinking about joining in with the dancing, chat and seeing friendly faces I can wholly recommend coming along.”
Other Dance Club events in December include Origami with Pat who will be teaching how to make origami snowflakes, and a Cookalong with Stuart where he will teach everyone how to make some delicious festive dishes.
These Winter Dance Clubs are led by the National Theatre of Scotland’s Creative Lead on the project Lewis Hetherington alongside Amy Watt, Lou Brodie and Fraser MacLeod.
Lewis says of the Winter Dance Clubs “This time of year can be tricky for LGBTQ+ people, so we’re delighted to be offering opportunities for our LGBTQ+ elders to come together in a spirit of community, creativity and festive cheer.
“A chance to reflect on what has been a difficult year, and to look forward to what the next year will bring. I can’t wait to see everyone and bring a little light and warmth into these wintery days!”
Originating in Australia, where it was created by arts company All The Queens Men, the project has now been brought to Scotland for the very first time. The Coming Back Out Ball is a partnership project with All The Queen’s Men, Eden Court Inverness and Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, in association with Glasgow City Council. The Coming Back Out Ball due to take place in Glasgow in June 2020, was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak and will now take place in 2021.
To book Social Dance Clubs, CLICK HERE or email thecomingbackoutball@nationaltheatrescotland.com for the Zoom link.
For more information about the origami and cookalong events, email thecomingbackoutball@nationaltheatrescotland.com
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