Snape Maltings hosts virtual tea dance experiences for care home residents
Tea Dances have been an annual tradition at the Suffolk concert hall provided valuable social experiences for care home residents and their carers
There’s an annual tradition at Snape Maltings Concert Hall in East Suffolk of bringing care home residents together with their carers for an opportunity to tap their foot along to the music in a Tea Dance experience especially recreated for them. There’s even tea and cake. Just as you’d expect.
This year the event has, like a great many others, suffered from social distancing measures. Undeterred, the project team behind the endeavour have shifted the experience online, offering residents of Suffolk’s care homes as well as others of all ages the opportunity to participate in a virtual afternoon tea dance via Zoom.
Britten Pears Arts (the organisation that runs Snape Maltings Concert Hall) hopes many people across Suffolk will sign up to join in from the safety of their homes. The session will feature an hour-long video with themed music from a Tea Dance band and dancers from Glasshouse Dance, all presented by workshop leader Rob Gildon who will guide participants through the dances. The team have plenty of helpful suggestions for people of all ages and abilities, from dance steps to rhythms to tap on a tea cup with a spoon.
When do the Virtual Tea Dances take place?
The Virtual Tea Dance takes place on Tuesday 8 December at 2pm. Sign up to take part at http://www.snapemaltings.co.uk**.**
Care homes signing up will receive a DVD with the video, along with a hamper of goodies by local businesses and volunteers. Individuals will receive a link to watch online, dance tips and recipes, and invitations to join online groups on Tuesday 8 December.
Former Royal Opera House orchestra violinist and project coordinator Caroline Speca says “I am delighted that we have managed to record an uplifting Tea Dance to be enjoyed at home. I know that it will be a tonic for all those who watch it. Put your dancing shoes on, warm up your singing voice and get ready to join in with as much or as little as you like!”
Isobel Turner, Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Rendlesham Care Home, says:
“More than ever before we need to bring our residents together in celebration as a community and the tea dance will provide us with just that special occasion to be enjoyed by all. Recently, precious memories have been made in our attendance at Snape and many more old memories of years gone by will be evoked by the music and ambiance we’re aiming to recreate courtesy of the Tea Dance DVD.”
How to sign up for the Snape Maltings Virtual Tea Dances
The Virtual Tea Dance takes place on Tuesday 8 December at 2pm. Sign up to take part at http://www.snapemaltings.co.uk.