In Conversation: Norma Daykin

Bristol Equality Dance. Credit: Norma Daykin

Ahead of Bristol Equality Winter Tea Dance at Trinity on 07 Jan, we caught up with Norma Daykin to find out more about Bristol Equality Dance, a series of regular dance classes and dance socials, welcoming LGBTA+ and same-sex dancers, their friends and supporters.

Hi Norma! Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background and how you got into dance.

I've been dancing since I was a child. Both my parents were active in the local scene, my Dad as a musician and my Mum as a dance teacher. Although I've always enjoyed dancing, as I got older, I became frustrated with some aspects of the mainstream dance culture. For example, I was aware that the language used by some teachers was very gendered, assuming fixed roles for men and women, and that even though it was a common sight to see two women dancing together, male couples were discouraged in mainstream classes and social events.

Can you tell us about Bristol Equality Dance and how it came about?

I started attending equality dance events in London and other European cities where the atmosphere is very different. At these events, dancers aren't expected to adopt fixed roles as leader or follower, and people don't tend to stick with the same partner during classes or social dances, which creates an inclusive and sociable and environment where everyone is accepted. I've always reflected this in my own classes in Bristol, where I've been teaching salsa, latin and ballroom for almost 20 years. Attitudes have become more accepting following the inclusion of same sex couples in Strictly, but I felt that there needed to be a more visible LGBTQ+ led dance and social project in Bristol. We are affiliated with the UK Equality Dance Council, which advocates across a range of activities for LGBTQ+ dancers, from classes and social dances through to competitions, and seeks to educate and encourage mainstream teachers, promoters and clubs to make sure that same gender and LGBTQ+ dancers are welcome everywhere.

How did you relationship with Trinity come about?

I've taught Latin and ballroom classes at Trinity for about 15 years, leading Gentle Dance classes for over 55s every Monday and also providing intergenerational social dances in collaboration with LGBT Bristol. I love the ethos of Trinity and their commitment to community arts, and the space itself is great for dancing, with two wonderful floors and atmospheric spaces. I'm delighted to be able to host our Equality Tea Dance there.

Tell us about receiving a community award UK Equality Dance Council award in 2022

The award was for services to the same sex/equality dance community, and it was given in recognition of the work I'd been doing in Bristol over the last 15 years, starting with a small group of dance students who wanted an alternative approach. I continued during the pandemic, hosting weekly zooms for LGBTQ+ dancers so they could stay in touch, enjoying music and practicing steps and technique at home. It really helped to keep the idea of dancing alive in people's minds and to maintain social bonds and friendships even though we weren't able to meet on person. Once we were able to meet up outside, I held a regular line dancing class on the Downs and people came in all weathers to meet up, see familiar and new faces, and enjoy a bit of exercise. From this foundation, classes have grown, and we now offer regular classes for beginners and improvers as well as social dances, performances and visits to equality dance friends in surrounding areas including Wales and London.

What can people expect from Bristol Equality Winter Tea Dance on 07 Jan?

This is our second such event following our summer dance which was attended by people from all over the UK. Our DJ will again be Jacky Logan, who has led dance events for many years with her Jacky's Jukebox project, and who was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to same sex/equality dancing. The event will start at 1pm with a warm-up class, suitable for people with all levels of dance experience. There will be non-stop dancing throughout the afternoon with a wide range of dances, from traditional ballroom and latin through to salsa, Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing and some popular line dances. There will be people on hand to show less experienced dancers the steps. Most importantly, people can expect fun and a warm, friendly atmosphere, and, of course, tea and cake!

Do you have any other plans for Bristol Equality Dance that you’d like to share?

This event is part of a dance weekend we are hosting. On Saturday 6th January we'll be offering an introduction to Swing Dance with a Balboa Swing class, and a chance to dance other swing styles. This event is a charity fundraiser, in collaboration with the LARA (Lorraine Ayensu Refugee Arts) project, which supports refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol using music and arts. The event is at the ElmGrove Centre in Redland. Following that we'll be offering regular classes and socials, and we'll be back at Trinity for our Summer Tea Dance on 2nd June 2024. You can find out more details about all these events on our website.

If you'd like to get involved with Bristol Equality Winter Tea Dance on 07 Jan, click here to find out more.