The LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Clubs that took place monthly at Eden Court have had to be cancelled due to the current situation. 

As it is so important to stay in touch at this time, we didn’t want to lose contact with our wonderful Social Dance Club members and so we have moved online. They still take place monthly and are still free.

We might not be able to meet in person but we can use the magic of technology and ZOOM to connect, chat and boogie.

The best way to explain the importance of the Dance Clubs is through one of our members. Here is a chat between Andrew, one of the longest standing Dance Club attendees, and LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club Creative Facilitators Amy Watt and Lou Brodie.

Tristan & Andrew

Lou Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Andrew My name is Andrew, I will be 63 in October, I live at a nursing home just outside Inverness

Amy How did you hear about the dance club originally?

AndrewWell I heard about it when I went to a meeting at the Spectrum Centre and there were a lady there talking about isolation and being gay, and she said come along to the meeting on the Sunday after. Tristan was there from Australia and he got me to go along with him and he took me to the first meeting.

Lou Can you think back to that first dance club? How did you feel turning up?

Andrew I was very, very nervous, a bit frightened but Tristan seemed to calm me down and said there’s nothing to be worried about. When I met you and Amy there, that was it, I was hooked.

Amy Do you have a Favourite part of dance club or a favourite moment that you remember?

Andrew Oh I think the best one, a nice one, were at Christmas when we were in that big room together. That were a good one. But also I enjoy going to the movies and the theatre. To see Priscilla.

Lou Do you have a Favourite Song you would love to hear played at dance club?

Andrew You’ll Never Walk Alone

Amy Which three words would you pick to describe the dance club?

Andrew Hmmm…. let me think…. It’s. Just. Fantastic.

Lou If you could bring anyone at all to dance club who would you bring?

Andrew Can it be a member of the dance club?

LouYeah

Andrew Tristan (Andrew, Lou and Amy laugh)

Lou When Dance Club was cancelled due to the current situation how did you feel?

Andrew Mortified. I’m up here and I don’t see anybody and I can’t go out. I was upset.

AmyYou were at the very first online LGBTI+ Elders Social dance club last Sunday. How was it?

Andrew With me not being very technical without the help of Erin the carer I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lou If there is someone out there that’s thinking about joining dance club but they’re feeling nervous about it what advice would you give them?

Andrew I was nervous the first time but when you get the first actual meeting over with you’d be surprised how many people and friends you make through the dance club. So don’t be put off. Although it’ll be hard work at first, which it was for me. You might be nervous at first, like I was, but it gave me confidence.

Amy Is there anything else you would like to say to people?

Andrew Just come along and let your hair down and enjoy yourself. You’ll make plenty of new friends from Glasgow and Australia and Inverness.

So please join us online so we can talk, laugh, celebrate and dance together.

Here are the details of how you can take part.

When:

10 May 2pm – 4pm (BST) please email after 12 April for link

13 June 7pm – 9pm (BST) please email after 10 May for link

12 July 2pm – 4pm (BST) please email after 13 June for link

09 August 2pm – 4pm (BST) please email after 12 July for link

For the link and password please email thecomingbackoutball@nationaltheatrescotland.com

Where:
Online, on your computer or device on the online meeting platform ZOOM.

Have your champagne/cup of tea ready to join us in our toast to the LGBTI+ Elders Community. 

This meeting is FREE for the whole rainbow and allied community. As well as dancing together online, we will discuss how this online platform can support and connect elders during these turbulent times.

A National Theatre of Scotland and All The Queens Men co-production, in partnership with Eden Court and Luminate, and in association with Glasgow City Council.

Part of The Coming Back Out Ball

#comingbackoutball