I started to learn Jazz Ballet as a teenager in the 1960s and went to classes, on and off for the next ten years, had a break of a few decades and then with the indefatigable Susan Jordan before illness and a move several suburbs away put an end to that, so when asked to review ASPiRE, I leapt at the chance. Metaphorically.

ASPiRE was advertised as a Dance Show by and for Seniors. It certainly lived up to the Tempo Dance Festivals promise of a vibrant mix of dance styles that celebrate creativity and storytelling from all walks of life.

Music Hall is one of my favourite types of entertainment with its array of “turns”, each one different to the last and with a verbose Chairman introducing each act. Here we have a large screen proclaiming the title of the piece and the name of the company who will dance it. Here thirteen very different ” turns” turn out a very life affirming hour of humour, hope and talent all wrapped in dance.

The Zimmer Dance Company kick off with a bright and breezy number with music from ‘Me and My Girl’ by Noel Gay which was first produced in 1937.

From that decade, we go right to 2023 with Dua Lipa music and the ‘Forever Young Empire Dance Studio’ who are more experimental with their movements and later in the programme give us a sparkling, costume and choreography, ‘My Girl’ which had the audience bopping along.

‘Seniors Dance Company’ with just five dancers, use the whole stage in ‘Traffic’ which is clearly delineated with the dreaded orange cones an amusing touch, adding to the repetition which becomes humourful. Later, three members of the troupe are very affecting in ‘Dancing On’ to music from Leonard Cohen. Simple and poignant with each of the three chairs becoming a dance partner. A delight.        

‘The Dance First Company’ change the pace with a traditional balletic ‘Edelweiss’ in full ballet skirts and while not quite on pointe, they certainly pointed their toes.

You can spot the dancers who have been dancing since they were children as they smiled that competition smile!

Next the ‘Remuera Chinese Association’ shine in a ‘Joyful Tambourine Dance’. Beautiful colourful costumes and excellent technique, these women are uniformly professional in their presentation.

‘Time to Dance’ look great in red and black, emphasizing the music with movement, showing how everyday tensions can be released and soothed by dance. There are some fine trained dancers in the troupe who have excellent technique and finish.

‘Aviv Dancers’ calm and charm us with an Israeli folk dance using circular movement – the first movement a baby makes – to weave hope and resilience together to create inner peace.

‘Night of the Ulaanbaatar’ from the ‘Eden Dance Group’ is a stunner.  Dramatic costumes that move fluently as the dancer’s spin and twirl, this is an outstanding performance.

‘Anything Goes’ comes up on the screen which leaves us thinking that after the variety we have seen, what could be coming? Fantastic tapping that’s what. The tapping troupe from ‘Dance First’ are a huge delight. Spot on tapping, fun choreography and the dancer’s enjoyment in what they were doing, flow into the auditorium making this “turn” an audience favourite. I mean, who doesn’t love a good tap number?

‘Dance Inc’ show us next that age is only a number if you want to flaunt it. So, they do, with panache. ‘All That Jazz’ sparkles with costumes from the Jazz Age and choreography that does not pander to the youth culture. A troupe of eleven gorgeous troupers.

The final “turn” does pander to the youth culture in a most hilarious way.

‘Zimmer Dance Company’ throw those frames away and hip hop with a lot of attitudes into this wonderful routine. A crazy mix match of youthful fashions adds to the hilarity of a rumble in the hood and the smoke from the joints obviously gets to some in the audience. 

Absolutely splendid to see a full stage of new and experienced dancers in the curtain call which the enthusiastic audience couldn’t get enough of.

It was, without question, ‘A Dance Show by and for Seniors.’

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