We have delivered workshops and courses for people of all ages and communities. These regular sessions have been the cornerstone of our inclusive community practice. We have worked with a wide range of groups and abilities where everyone is valued for their individual contribution. The strength of our work has been its adaptability. In a safe and supportive environment anyone has been able to respond to music with beauty and joy. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us.
A series of sessions building trust and friendship across cultures. We listened to music, danced, decorated photo frames, created art and documented our activities through photography and film. For the final session of the project we worked together to create a celebratory food event for both Bristol’s Roma and the city’s wider community.
Our project demonstrated that, by recognising and respecting differences while at the same time transcending them through creativity and play, the arts have the power to promote change. Getting to Know the Roma was a community arts project in partnership with the Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, funded by Bristol City Council’s Creative Seed Fund.
We offer eight-week courses in Bristol for adults during which a group happening is created and ultimately performed to a piece of music.
These can emerge from improvisational work that the group does together or they can be learnt from previously choreographed pieces. Performances are always carefully crafted in order to leave moments for improvisation and creativity, inviting both company members and audiences to join in. This gives everyone the freedom and opportunity for movement and dance.
Improvised dance offers young people so many benefits. Creating a space in which they can express themselves and where their individual contributions are valued is key to our work. We encourage them to work together as a team but also give opportunities to lead. We teach them how to observe each other and react through improvisation. Self-confidence grows alongside their learning to connect with both themselves and the rest of their group. These classes are perfect as a term-time or after school activity as a one-off or series of workshops.
Classes can be tied in with the national curriculum.
This course is open to people at all stages of the clowning journey but particularly those with an interest in and experience of working with those with dementia. The course is delivered by internationally recognised clown Angela Halvorsen Bogo, known for her work in the delicate art of connecting with people with dementia.
These courses employ physical and vocal play, moving, observing and exploring our awareness, curiosity and humility in order to meet others with empathy. Expect deep, explorative work engaging numerous transferable skills.
We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news — in November 2024, we received two years of Company Development funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
At The Original Spinners, as a community dance company, we’re always amazed by the incredible power of dance, not just to lift people’s spirits but its ability to connect and to make a difference to the lives of those who take part.
Esme was a wonderful participant who danced with us for a few years. She was a beautiful, delicate dancer who would get really absorbed by the music. She was fun and we all had a big soft spot for her.
