News

We\’re excited to welcome Gav back for his new touring show, Tell Tale Twit but also very pleased to begin our Participate programme this season, with Gav\’s fabulous Storytelling workshops, in schools across Eden Valley, Cumbria from 19th September. We\’ve been able to offer these to schools through funding from Eden District Council. Gav will […]

THE ART OF TAKING PART As its 25th anniversary celebrations continue, Highlights turns the spotlight on its own creative engagement officer, KATE HALSALL What Kate Halsall loves most about her job is seeing the reactions of children at Highlights workshops; “the effect of amazing quality art happening in their school hall or classroom”. Kate is

We’re grateful to Schools who give us feedback about Participate workshops we offer, as this helps inform our work. Here are some comments from children and teachers who participated in Dance workshops with Slanjayvah Danza workshops in May. Jen Wren and Lowenna Hosken worked at Shap and Appleby Primary Schools in Cumbria, Middleton in Teesdale

Our friend and neighbour at Mostyn Hall, Penrith is Jilly Jarman, the composer/musician and Creative Director of community music and arts organisation, BlueJam. On June 15th, Jilly is co-hosting a Highlights music workshop for some of BlueJam\’s music students, with one of our Spring touring Artists, composer and singer Zoe Gilby. Our Creative Engagement Officer

Composer and award winning jazz vocalist Zoe Gilby, will be joining us along with fellow musician, guitarist Mark Williams, for a workshop on 15th June this Spring term, as part of Highlights\’ Participate programme. Zoe and Mark will work with young musicians from BlueJam, our neighbours here in Penrith at Mostyn Hall. Please book via

Review of 6 Feet, 3 Shoes – Wednesday 11th May, Shap Memorial Hall  Last night, I had the opportunity to go and see one of Jen Wren’s productions, 6 Feet, 3 Shoes. An amazing mix of Spanish and Scottish dancing cultures, Slanjayvah Danza produced an incredible performance for the whole family. With a professional set-up,

  Children and their teacher, Miss Guttridge: We have some dancers in the class who asked how do you become a professional dancer? Jen: There are lots of ways to become a professional dancer.  Some people will go to classes after school to begin with, until they are old enough to go to college or