Dance
Contemporary, Irish and Egyptian dance happen each week, some of the work leads to performance, some is just for fun and all of it furthers the creative spirit. In 10 different classes with an age range from 2 to 80 years+, there are groups for parents and toddlers, for children, young people and adults.
Oxford Youth Dance
Cecilia Macfarlane, an independent dance artist, started Oxford Youth Dance (OYD) in 1986. OYD is non-auditioned and is open to any young dancer under 5yrs with parent or carer up to 25yrs. Every year the company builds a new repertoire devised by the dancers with direction from the professional dancers who teach the sessions. OYD believes that dance is for everybody and celebrates young people's individuality, creativity and love of dance. It works in a non-competitive environment and fees are kept at the lowest possible level. 
Performance is an integral part of the work of OYD and shows are taken annually to Pegasus Theatre, the Oxford Playhouse and to non-traditional settings such as Dorchester Abbey, the Cowley Road Carnival and much further afield to Perm in Russia.
OYD offers a wide range of classes at the Ark T Centre, during term-time, for young people of all ages:
Slipstream (13-16yrs): Mondays 5.00 – 7.00pm
Parent and toddler's classes (0-5yrs):
Tuesdays 2.30 – 3.15 & 3.30-4.15pm
Children's classes (3-12yrs): Saturdays 9.00am-1pm
DugOut Adult Community Dance
Cecilia also teaches Dugout, an adult community dance group which meets on Tuesday evenings from 7.15-9.15pm during term-time. The group is made up of 25 men and women aged 24 to 84.
Writing about DugOut dance, one of the members, Jeremy Spafford, says ‘We dance because we like to play, we like to express ourselves in new ways, we feel better for it, we enjoy being part of a supportive group….Fran pleads for it to be “more acceptable for middle-aged people like me to dance. There are too few places to dance!” And when asked why she keeps coming back, 84 year old Ursula replies “because I’m not yet dead.” ‘
For details about Oxford Youth Dance and DugOut contact:
Cecilia Macfarlane ceciliamacfarlane@talk21.com 07968 073763
Irish Dance
As part of the dance programme at the Ark T Centre, there are also Irish Dance classes run by Maria Sweeney. They are for girls and boys, ranging from age 3 upwards. Irish Dancing is great fun and 
great exercise and is a wonderful introduction to music and movement. The classes are very structured and are arranged according to ability with a desire for the young people to enjoy Irish dancing as a hobby. If a young person becomes interested in exploring it at a deeper level through competing then we will advise and support them all the way!
Wednesdays 5-7.30pm
Contact Maria Sweeney: 01865 773611
Anjali Dance Company
Anjali Dance Company is a pioneering professional company, based at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury, which exists to celebrate the potential of people with learning disabilities. Anjali creates and tours original work performed by professional dancers with learning disabilities.
The classes aim to be fun and also challenging for young people and adults who enjoy music and dancing. The classes give participants the opportunity to explore their creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
All classes take place during term time after school and are led by a professional dance artist and an assistant. No dance experience is required and puplis can join at any stage during the term.
Young & Mini Dance Class (8-17’s) Thursdays 4-5pm
Adult Dance Class (16 yrs & over) Thursdays 5-6.30pm
For more information on cost and bookings
Contact:: 01295 251 909
e: info@anjali.co.uk
w: http://www.anjali.co.uk
Catalyst Dance Group
Dance and drama for adults with learning
difficulties run by Pegasus Theatre.
For more information or to book contact:
Pegasus Theatre: Ox 792209
http://www.pegasustheatre.org.uk/
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