50 years in motion.
Across 2026-27, Eleni Cymru is celebrating 50 years of community dance in North East Wales.
For five decades, dance has brought people together across our communities - creating opportunities to move, connect, express, perform and belong. From the earliest community classes of the Clwyd Dance Project to the work Eleni Cymru delivers today, thousands of people have helped shape our story.
Eleni 50 is an opportunity to honour that history, celebrate the people at the heart of it and look ahead to the future of inclusive community dance.
Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future
Eleni's story has always been about more than dance alone. It is a story of friendships formed, confidence discovered, creativity shared and communities brought together. It belongs to the participants who have stepped into a class for the first time, the practitioners who have encouraged and inspired them, and the partners, volunteers and supporters who have helped make the work possible.
Throughout our anniversary year, we will be gathering memories, photographs, films and personal stories from across Eleni's history. We will hear from former participants and practitioners, revisit significant moments from the past and document the work taking place in Eleni's communities today.
Together, these stories will create a living celebration of 50 years of movement, connection and change.
The Eleni 50 Celebration
A major highlight of the Eleni 50 celebrations will be a special evening at Theatr Clwyd on Friday 12 February 2027, bringing together generations of the Eleni community to celebrate 50 years of dance, creativity and connection.
The event will bring together film, live performance, recorded dance work, conversation and shared memories.
Eleni groups will have the opportunity to perform live and the evening will celebrate the many different ways people experience and participate in dance.
Audiences will be invited to experience:
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A specially commissioned Eleni 50 documentary
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Behind-the-scenes footage from current community classes
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Interviews with alumni, participants and practitioners
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Live performances from Eleni groups
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Dance films and recorded work created by participating communities
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Archive photographs, memories and stories from across five decades
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Reflections on the future of community dance in North East Wales
Share Your Eleni Story and Photographs
Were you part of Clwyd Dance Project, North East Wales Dance, NEW Dance or Eleni Cymru?
Perhaps you attended a community class, performed with a youth dance group, delivered a workshop, supported a project or have photographs and memories you would like to share.
We would love to hear from you.
Your memories may be included in the Eleni 50 film, anniversary archive, social media celebrations or final event.
Be Part of the Eleni 50 Film
We are also looking for former participants, practitioners and collaborators who would be happy to be interviewed for a specially commissioned film celebrating Eleni's history and ongoing work.
The film will bring together voices from different generations, combining personal memories with footage from Eleni's current community programme.
It will explore how the organisation has changed over time, what has remained at the heart of its work and the difference that community dance can make to people's lives.
Interviews may take place in person or online, depending on availability and location.
Share your story or be part of the Eleni 50 Film: producer@eleni.cymru