My aims for this piece have been to:
-              Co-create an approx. 15-minutes long choreography and up to five pieces of visual art with women of different age, abilities and nationalities. The visual art work will be displayed in the 8 local libraries in Waltham Forest during the year of culture.
-             Empower women through engaging in the creation and delivery of the choreography.
-            Nurture women's relationships through developing trust and understanding while engaging in dance and visual art activities.  

The project is important and timely in its delivery and scope because firstly, it combines visual art with dance and secondly, considering the recent debates on gender inequalities and women’s abuse, it gives women of different background a safe space to voice their views and be creative through dance and the arts.
The playful and game-like nature of the choreography’s structure gives participants the freedom to move with confidence alongside professional and training dancers. 

It is important to be able to perform at William Morris Gallery because my visual art stylises, similarly to Morris’ textile work, natural and human forms. I use this to celebrate women co-existence in our world and to connect to my own interpretation of womanhood as I see flowers as symbolically feminine. Ultimately both the choreography and visual art work are a celebration of women taking part in the project, their own personal views on womanhood and their engagement in creative processes, performances and visual arts.                                                          Annarita Mazzilli

Performances
3rd March 2019 - 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (Free)
​William Morris Gallery (1st floor Story Lounge)
Lloyd Park, Forest Rd, London E17 4PP
Part of Waltham Forest first London Borough of Culture 2019

Here some of the participants' testimony from 'women's dance' project also taking part in 'Rock, paper, petals:

"It felt empowering and freeing to be able to do a performance like this - where you could be yourself but also be a part of something bigger than yourself. And that is why it is was valuable to be amongst women in the dance; telling  some of my story as a woman, and sharing the stories of other women." (Rita - Project participant)

"It was great being with other women! I felt connected to them, empowered by them, supported by them...Taking part in the dance project has made me feel more comfortable in my own skin"
​(Lucilia - Project participant) 

" It was as a tremendously surprising experience, fun and simply pleasant, a bit like group meditation followed by a party...!"
(Kasia - Project participant)
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"The whole experience was uplifting while still having deep meaning and gravity. Annarita did an amazing job bringing together people from different backgrounds and making us look like accomplished dancers!" (Anusha- Project participant) ​​

Pleased to announce that IDEACHOR 2017 performed their new piece 'As you reach...' at MOVE IT & Capezio first Championship and got through to the semi-finals.

Here some of the comments from the judges:

''It was incredible, it was so captivating, your characters were so clear right through the beginning, I wanted to know what was happening, I was engaged, choreographically it was so visually stunning''                                                   Lukas Tyrell MacFarlane 

"It was fabulous, it was very unique, very different to anything we have seen here today, and everyone was an actor, and everyone on that stage knew how to act to their dance. I love originality that is what we need today"                                                                                                  Arlene Phillips

​The choreography’s starting point was looking at people’s body language when they meet; from first encounters to reunions of long lost family or friends. This short piece is also commenting on the effects of technology on social interactions and human relations in a today's society.

The group will be performing again on 14th and 15th July 2017 at Brady Arts Centre.

I feel privileged to be Artist in Residence for such an exciting and important project that brings London communities together, celebrating the arts and literature in libraries with FREE fun activities and events for children, families and young people. I am particularly thrilled to bring dance to the festival. I truly believe that, like all-inclusive artistic and cultural activities, dance can help with people’s personal development and create enthusiasm for education and healthy life-style by exploring emotional and physical creativity as part of a group in fun game-like dance activities.This is a great opportunity for families and young people to see their local library in a new light as a place to engage with the community, nurture imagination, promote health and be exposed to the arts and activities that otherwise might not be so easy to access. All workshops aim to provide a friendly and safe environment in which to exchange ideas, develop motor-skills, explore the library recently, beautifully restored, historical building and interact with local people.
With a jammed pack schedule of activities over the three days; from the Dance Dystopia workshops aimed at 11 to 14 years old, to the Dancing with Dahl workshops for small people with huge imaginations and their families, for the under 5 and the 5 to 11 years old, to the dance showcase on the final day for all ages; the festival is promising to have something for everyone.

made for camera; and Trail Tale – La Melodia, inspired by Chilean writer and activist, Luis Sepúlveda’s book The Story of a Snail Who Discovered the Importance of Being Slow. This playful duet looks at journeying, growth, celebrating the important people that leave a mark on us in our life. With not long to go to the beginning of the festival, I have already had the chance to meet the friendly library team and to talk to a few local users and I can honestly say I look forward to the festival. So do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity, reserve your space to the many activities by using the below link provided; get ready to channel your inner Katniss, Tris or explore Roald Dahl’s amazing characters through dance as you giggle and wiggle your way through games and stories inspired by the fantastical universe of literature and tales…
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Please visit here for the full program and to reserve your space.

Don’t miss Spine Festival 2016, 3-5 March. Loads of FREE arts and literature events for children, families and young people in your library! For more information visit the SPINE project page or follow #SpineFestival2016. Produced by Apples and Snakes in partnership with library authorities across London. ​