Group determined to inspire “powerful” women with performance

A group of dancers from Liverpool have collaborated to explore themes affecting women.

Talisha Thomas-Lindsay, a professional dance creative, collaborated with Abisola Ali and Megan Frazer to produce a spoken word and dance piece entitled Until… It is part of the Leap Dance Festival (April 26 and runs until May 10) which features established local artists and companies performing alongside youth and community groups in a wide range of dance styles.

Talisha, from Chesterfield, who moved to Liverpool aged 11, is the director of newly established TMC Collective 24 (TMC). Commissioned by Culture Liverpool, Until… will be at The Unity Theater on May 8 and will explore ‘Womanhood’, encompassing the thoughts and topics surrounding women’s lives.

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Talisha told the ECHO: “TMC’s debut track is about the universal theme of womanhood. The title came from talking about the problems women go through, not appreciating where they are at that moment and constantly thinking about what’s next.

“I make a reason, I say; until I get the money, until I have time, until I have the baby, until I get married. Always these until we’re in our heads and not enjoying the present too much, just thinking about the next thing because of societal pressures.

“Until… it is spoken word mixed with dance. We created a piece on themes of power, internal struggle and hyperfemininity and these things are what we are after; one pursues power, one pursues inner struggle, and one pursues hyperfemininity, because those are the things that relate to us (women) right now.

“Hyper-femininity means being overtly feminine. Sometimes this can come from the desire to please the male gaze, also being in competition with other women.”

The group created spoken word and dance pieces to express the three themes. Talisha, Abisola and Megan are all trained in different dance styles; afro, contemporary, commercial, jazz and hip-hop that have influenced their choreography allowing them to develop and create a dynamic and powerful performance piece.

Talisha said: “It happened organically. We didn’t go into the studio with a set idea, because we didn’t want to have that pressure. We wanted what we created to be something honest.

“I want the audience to be able to feel a sense of comfort, to understand that we all go through these things, but we can get out of them. I think the world we live in now (consists of) social media pressures, to be where you’re supposed to be at certain ages, societal, cultural and traditional pressures.

“I want a catalyst for discussion, debate and self-reflection. The situation you may be in won’t last forever, there will always be a next chapter to show, even though we go through all these things, there is always the next thing. that comes with having the strength to get through what you’re going through.

“Many women will relate to this theme in one way or another. Also, men have their own pressures and they see their family going through certain things as well.”

Collaborative partner Megan said: “I had a great experience participating in the first TMC project. I enjoyed sharing our individual experiences and dance training.

“We learned from each other, refined and pushed our art individually and collectively. Creating a piece focused on exploring the theme of Woman opened up the exchange of conversations, personal experiences revealing the universal and nuanced experiences we each have within this topic.

“I think audiences will be able to identify, relate and find a part of themselves in our performance piece.”

Abisola added: “I am delighted to be attending TMC’s first performance. The Collective is something new and fresh for the Liverpool and North West dance scene.

“I’ve known these beautiful women for a while and it’s a full circle moment to work with them again on this piece. I enjoyed the collaborative process and am looking forward to the show night. More to come in the future. , so stay tuned.”

Talisha’s studies include; a BTEC National Diploma in Dance, a Graduate Diploma in Dance and a PGCE teaching qualification. Through dance he visited Belgium, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

She has been a judge at national dance competitions modeled with performance and choreography credits including; Theater show JD Sports, Selfridges, Red Bull, Wannabe – Spice Girls UK and more.

TMC will have another performance of Until… at a date to be confirmed in July and will begin teaching a series of dance classes; commercial, hip hop and afro dance from June 2024 at Liverpool Arts Bar on Hope Street for ages 13 and up.

For information, visit TMC Collective 24 HERE

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