Stopgap Dance Company / Oak Farm Learning & Activities Club (OFLAC) dance commission.
COMMISSION
OFLAC is a twice-weekly dance club for adults over 19 with learning difficulties, based in Farnborough. Stopgap Dance Company, a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England, uses dance as a movement for change, bringing deep experience in community education, contemporary dance, and social inclusion.
In Spring 2024, Stopgap led a series of workshops with OFLAC members, culminating in a performance at the first RUSH Dance Gala at Princes Hall, Aldershot, on Saturday 15th June.
“From initial conversations with OFLAC members, it was clear their interests were diverse—these passions shaped the movement in the piece. It begins with pedestrian sweeps forming shapes that shift into a complex arrangement of the opening phrase.”
For many participants, contemporary dance was new—offering fresh ways to explore movement dynamics, body shapes, and flow. Working with new music styles and performing alongside professional dancers provided valuable challenges and experiences.
“Every Friday we rehearsed for our Gala performance on 15th June. In rehearsals, we did a walk-through of the whole thing and had a break and a drink and then did it to music – we then did it twice!
It was a different style and different choreography from other things we do. I liked both dance styles we did last year – they were intriguing! It was a new and enjoyable experience”
“I like dancing a lot. In fact, I am happy when I am dancing. It was very different to what we do at South Hill Park, but I enjoyed it. I really looked forward to performing at the Princes Hall in Aldershot. I just about remembered all my moves”
“We rehearsed for a performance at the Princes Hall, which is in my home town of Aldershot. It was a connecting together dance. We rehearsed for about 9 weeks on a Friday afternoon. I enjoyed it a lot. It was like the South Hill Park – Aldershot edition – as we were performing for an audience”
“It was amazing and I very much enjoyed taking part.”
“I liked that it was different to the dancing that we do at South Hill Park. I felt relaxed and supported on the night”
“I really like dancing.”
“We had been rehearsing for a long time, so it was good to actually perform in front of people.
There were quite a lot of people and my mum and dad came and my brother too. They all enjoyed it.
I wore my blue OFLAC t-shirt. I really like dancing. I enjoyed being on stage and dancing with all my OFLAC friends. I danced really well. My favourite dance move was the pointing”