DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
Spectacular outdoor arts performance brings Seedhill’s streets alive
An outdoor dance parade lit up the streets of Seedhill last week.
Strut was an outdoor nighttime performance and mobile projection featuring the fantastic moves of five local dancers.
They each showcased their talents on a parade through the streets with a range of dance styles including northern soul, contemporary, hip hop, street dance and afrobeat.
The outdoor performance was partnered with a light show and large scale projections of the dancers projected onto Seedhill’s buildings and tenements.
More than 100 local residents lined the streets to watch the parade from their pavements, windows and doorsteps in an upbeat event that celebrated local talent and the community spirit of Seedhill.
Dancer Tommy Codona, 62, is a Northern Soul enthusiast and loved taking part in the show.
He said: “I would just like to say how much I enjoyed my time participating in the event and how much it has meant to me at this time.
“I enjoyed the whole experience and how well I was looked after by everyone involved.
“I never expected to get chosen as a participant which made the whole thing even more enjoyable.
“I’d also like to mention the positive comments I have received in person from both Seedhill residents and friends alike.
“The comments have been universally positive regards all aspects of the performance.
“From the actual dancers to the effect it had on the community was all anyone wanted to talk about.”
The other dancers were Rudy Mbunzama, a former dance student at West College Scotland; Ashton Bradley, 15, who grew up in Seedhill; contemporary dancer Caitlin Bonnar, 17, who regularly trains at Jennifer Scott Dance School in Paisley and 12-year-old Alannah Danielle Sutherland has been dancing since she was four-years-old.
The show was put on by visual theatre company MHz as part of the Evolve Project which is delivered by RIG Arts in partnership with Williamsburgh Housing Association, One Ren; and producers Feral.
MHz directors Bex Anson and Dav Bernard said: “We were delighted to bring an amazing day of fun to Seedhill.
“The Strut performances were electric and we were bowled over by the raw talent of the dancers in Paisley who took part.
“We loved working with them and are so proud of the energy and enthusiasm they showed on the night.
“We loved seeing happy faces and budding dancers in the crowd alongside local residents of Seedhill lining the streets and hanging out of their windows to cheer us on.”
McKerrell Street playpark was also transformed into a mini-festival for Seedhill and those further afield, with arts activities, face painting and balloon making led by RIG Arts and the Evolve Project.
Seamus Killick of RIG Arts said: “It was so good to see the streets of Seedhill come alive at night with the movement, light and energy of people that make the community.
“It was truly moving and spectacular!”
Evolve is an 18 month project with and for residents and community members of Seedhill, Paisley.
The project is offering free community get-togethers for Seedhill full of creative activities to celebrate local identity and community pride and is open to everyone.