Express Yourself

If a dance exhibition is what it takes for us overweight and reserved lot in this country to let ourselves loose without the booze, then check out The Lowry's Express Yourself.

The exhibition which started on Good Friday insists that dancing is one of the many shortcuts to happiness. Visitors are invited to “come inside and express yourself” with anything from ballroom dancing to break dancing.

The interactive family show is designed to promote the idea that dance is not reserved for the experts. Michael Simpson, Head of Galleries and curator of the exhibition, explained to Confidential how its main purpose is to show that dancing is for everyone.

He said: “You can be any age, size or body shape, it doesn’t matter. Everybody can dance. Dance is the best way for people to express themselves. Some people articulate themselves through art, and dance can help people do just that.”

Nor does dance have to be complicated and technical, but just about anything that makes your bum wiggle. In fact, the entire concept of dance is challenged. What is dance, it asks? Dancing is headbanging to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit or the elegant swaying of Beauty and the Beast's Dancing on Ice.

The first part of the exhibition introduces the body and its balance as the essentials of dancing. Parents and children can balance beanbags on their heads, move on a maze balance board or walk on a bumpy platform without falling off.

Over at the corner there is a six-screen television which shows all the different parts of the body capable of movement. A video of disabled dancers further proves the fact that everyone can find their rhythm.

Colourful outlines of dancers and flat-screen televisions screening interviews with dancers and choreographers are displayed all over the room. One highlight is the dress-up room, complete with full-sized mirrors where children can try on everything from tutus and classical Indian costumes, to hip-hop hoodies and gangster bling. If only the adults could join in.

If the exhibition is about showing what dance is all about, it just about succeeds. As Simpson explained: “This is a fun, family dance show, not a definitive history of dance. We have picked out the things that will make people think about going dancing.”

Nonetheless, a brief history of dance is featured, with videos from ballet to Burlesque showing visitors the variety and popularity of dancing throughout history. Beyoncé Knowles is featured alongside Margot Fonteyn as dance icons.

Another highlight is Play Modes, a section which lets people choreograph their own dances and move with the music. The dark studio records moves, replays them and combines them into a music video. Simpson said: “It’s for kids to make crazy moves and turn it into a dance floor video. It’s to encourage people to move.”

His inspiration for coming up with the exhibition is down to The Lowry's creative mix, he says.

“There’s opera, ballet, hip-hop, High School Musical and even Spongebob Squarepants. I want this exhibition to spark interest in dancing and other dance shows at the Lowry.”

Of course we don't need a dance exhibition to tell us that moving our limbs to rhythm is good for us. For those of you who are hunched over the computer screen reading this review, this is a call to put on your dancing shoes, get out there and release some endorphins.

Showing until 27 September.

The Lowry
Pier 8
Salford Quays
M50 3AZ

www.thelowry.com