Join the Dance in support of children’s right to be heard

Posted on October 13, 2010

“Join the Dance” is a new event in support of the BBC’s Children in Need 2010 and of A Right Blether, a consultation by Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Launched by Common Thread, a pioneering Scottish residential child care company, the event will be a dance procession at the Scottish Parliament on November 18.

“Blether” is a Scottish word for a chat. A Right Blether aims to ensure that the views of children and young people are heard. It will culminate in a national vote for thousands of people under 18, the results of which will inform the Commissioner’s work plan for the next four years. “Join the Dance” will provide an opportunity for people of all ages to show their support for the initiative. The dance has been specially created by choreographer Chris Stuart-Wilson. If you can’t attend the dance on November 18, you can upload a video to www.jointhedanceuk.com, which also has a demonstration of the dance. 

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.