The weekend of dance events also coincided with the national Cultural Olympiad Open Doors celebrations.

The weekend kicked off with a performance by Marie-Louise Flexen, a dance artist based in Cirencester, who created a site-specific piece based on Charlotte Corday, heroine of the French Revolution — a statue of Corday sits in our entrance hall.

This was the followed by a very witty one hour theatrical piece based on two decorators and what they get up to in their lunch break, by Rannel Theatre Company, who performed to a buzzing packed audience.

On Saturday morning we threw open our doors to a very sunny day — the building was open for people to watch the array of children's classes that take place here regularly. In the afternoon they had the chance to watch the dancers of the future who participate on our Youth Dance Academy. Juice and yummy cakes with marshmallows also helped draw people in.

Our Filmmaker in Residence, Peter Anderson, was camped out upstairs in his studios offering people the chance to see dance DVDs that he had worked on.

Outside in the glorious sunshine, the Curious Company presented Mr Wippy & the Conettes who 'whipped up' the crowd with a 1940s-inspired cabaret featuring ice-cream sundaes and luscious strawberry sauce — and not a real ice-cream in sight!

Saturday ended with a second performance by Rannel Theatre Company, again to a packed house.

On Sunday, we again opened our doors to a lovely day. Around 60 people participated in our Everybody Dances workshops, which were led by regional dancers and treachers. People of all abilities took part in workshops focusing on a range of dance styles, from contemporary with a touch of tango to samba reggae.

Swindon Dance's Poet in Residence, Tony Hillier, was kept busy writing poetry inspired by the workshops, as well as talking to the participants.

Towards the end of the afternoon, Emma Carter and Michael Mitchel performed Lift Dances, a piece commissioned by Swindon Dance to officially launch our new lift and improved access facilities.

The whole weekend drew to a close with the All Wrapped Up Cabaret, in which the teachers from the day's workshops performed their own work. The finale was a Samba Reggae Fiesta that had been created during the earlier samba reggae workshop.

All in all a very successful weekend which highlighted for the people of Swindon, Wiltshire and beyond, the wonderful work that goes on at Swindon Dance.

The last word goes to our poet ...

... These unwrapped dancers would
   deliver
Opening dance for the Cultural Olympiad
But who needs that
When we have Swindon Dance
   Un-Wrapped
Unleashed again for Swindonians
To taste the joy of Dance
Living, moving proof that Dance is,
Dance is
For everyone

Tony Hillier

Swindon Dance UN-WRAPPED
was supported by