Current Projects
Carnival House and St Hilda’s Pithead
Summer Drumming activities
Tynemouth Nurseries
Summer and holiday musical activities with pre-school children
Community Kids Club
Summer drumming activities and sessions throughout the year
Eastlea Community Centre and Peterlee Pavillion
‘Dancing my way’ inclusive dance sessions for members aged 50+
St Luke’s Centre, Pallion and Newton Aycliffe
‘Falling on your feet’ dance and choreography sessions for members aged 50+ with Braena CIC
Braena CIC has received Community Fund Lottery money to continue facilitating weekly sessions at Greenfield Arts Centre for new and original members aged 50+ from Newton Aycliffe, care home residents, and staff. These sessions aim to address social isolation and offer creative outlets.
Additionally, Braena will collaborate with dance artist Tracey West, musician Mark Barfoot, and the community to create new choreography accompanied by live music, and costumes with textile artist Lijie Zhang and perform at the ‘Inspire' festival at Dance City, Newcastle. Participants are organising a tour of the performance for care homes across the North East, with dance, drumming and sound healing sessions to be delivered at Greenfield Arts and regional care homes.
The original project, "Falling on Your Feet (FOYF)", ran through Helix Arts (NPO), and Braena attended Helix's Make Dance Happen programme. Braena now manages and delivers this project, with Helix continuing to mentor Synergy with the Care Home Tour to reach and benefit the wider community.
Braena #TNLCommunityFund
Blue Wave Beach Festival
with Moving Art Management and National Trust funded by GFTA
FODI women I were invited to work with this project with lead artist Constance Humphries, Her words about her project...
‘Over the past two and a half years, I've had the immense privilege of serving as the lead artist for Blue Wave, a dance project that seeks to co-create an authentic connection between coastal communities and their natural marine heritage through dance.
Gratitude overflows as I reflect on the incredible ourney that has been Blue Wave! To all the remarkable dancers, creative minds, supportive partners, and dedicated producers, you've made this experience truly unforgettable. I am humbled by your love, generosity and creativity.
Curated by Dr Suzy O’Hara, Blue Wave was co-created with artists Tracey West, Maggie Hsaio, Lijie Zhang, Bettie Hope and Abigail Santos, along with female members and organizers of Friends of the Drop-in for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (FODI) and Sangini (a BME-led, multicultural women’s arts organisation) and the North East Migration Project (NEMP). Additionally, the Hartlepool Sewing Group aka, the Gallery Girls and students from the Northern School of Art collaborated on the costumes.
Commissioned by Co/Lab Sunderland
Funded by Arts Council England in collaboration with and supported by National Trust.
Produced by Moving Arts Management
Performance at Tall Ships Festival, Hartlepool, UK
Photos: Colin Davison
Friends of the Drop In Centre (FODI), Sunderland
Movement, choreography and sound healing supporting women and families.
Every week, I support women and families in our community through the transformative power of dance, relaxation, and sound healing. I provide a nurturing space for healing, care, and ease. We find joy and expression through dance, while sound healing helps us relax and rest. I am passionate about creating a supportive environment where women and families can unite. Together, we embark on self-discovery and self-care, fostering healing and resilience within our community.