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By: Yvonne Howard-Bunt
Wayne, Amy and Yvonne Photo: Stephen Hart
Dancing to the vibration of music is hardwired into my brain. As a child, I listened to my classically trained mother, who chased those scales up and down that keyboard as if her nimble fingers were on fire. Mum sightread countless music scores and enthusiastically sang the timeless golden oldies and familiar jazz tunes of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and their contemporaries. Many were the times I accompanied Mum in a voice that twice failed the audition for a place in the school choir. The teacher played a tune on the piano, and I dared to sing. For her, the sound of music died right then, right there. Sunday School and Church gatherings offered further opportunities to uplift my voice to celebrate the beautiful, melodic, prayerful hymns I still sing today. Opening my mouth certainly turned heads and got me noticed, but not for the right reasons.
Despite setbacks, I found solace in expressing my hopes, fears and creativity through words, dance and movement, which mirrored my mother's performances in the dance halls and at school events. And just as I shook the tambourine and danced hotfoot to the pulse of mother's piano and accordion, I continued to dance my way through the rhythm of life. I loved performance. However, I'd learned to believe the stage was a mountain too steep to climb.
Decades later, opportunity knocked when the chance came to fulfil my dream and represent the Windrush Elders in the 75th Windrush Anniversary celebration, held in the Senedd. The event would be featured in the BBC programme Dare to Dance, hosted by Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden. A few weeks later, my new dance partner Wayne and I stared blankly at one another in the rehearsal room, wondering what we'd let ourselves in for. We knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park, but then reality kicked in.
Yvonne and Amy Dowden Photo: Gary Bunt
We’d be dancing on camera, on stage - and in the presence of our esteemed community of Windrush elders - among them dignitaries, family, friends, and supporting organisations. Hundreds of people would be there, but we were committed and had to see it through.
Then Amy appeared and smiled us into submission. She began the start of many conversations to discover what made us tick, then put us through our paces, leaving us feeling hungry for more. It was like learning to ride a bike without stabilisers: a few tentative wobbles from side to side and the occasional shuddering hard bump on the floor, but slowly, we gathered momentum, even if we veered off in opposite directions. We had to contend with our individual dance styles, differing fitness levels, and learning new choreography in rehearsals. To top it all, I hadn't strutted my funky stuff on the dance floor for years, and I soon discovered muscles I didn't know existed. Wayne, a freestyle dancer like myself, was taller, fitter, faster, and full of energy, and for every step he took, I took two.
Amy faced the harsh reality of coordinating two free spirits whose dance concepts followed distinctly unpredictable paths. However, this did not daunt her, and she choreographed a dance that combined all elements into one performance. Supportive reinforcements in the form of Lloyd Griffiths, a Latin dance champion, and the renowned Strictly star Oti Mabuse each added a unique twist to the mix as they nudged us into shape.
Learning the sequence of steps was challenging, and we had a tight deadline to meet, but Wayne and I kept up the pace by practising our steps separately when we couldn't meet. I practised at home, in the supermarket, in the park, in the garden and on the beach, often involving my attention-seeking terrier Charlie (13), who did a walk-through in many scenes under the glare of camera lights. In one rehearsal by the water’s edge, my partner, standing in for Wayne, spun me in a flamenco-style movement. Suddenly, his back went, and I was inches away from crunching a mouthful of wet salty sand.
Yvonne and Wayne
The excitement grew as the celebration neared, with wardrobe choices reflecting the vibrant colours of the Caribbean and West Africa. The dressmaker created my dream outfit from a beautifully patterned Nigerian-Ghanaian cloth, symbolising the Windrush event's character, energy and ethos. A few complimentary flourishing touches were added to Wayne's attire, and our costumes were ready - perfect for the occasion and a delight to wear.
The day of the celebration proceeded with a whirlwind of activities – a Windrush procession to the Senedd, followed by speakers, a singing performance, and poetry, including my own recitation, marking a full-circle return to using my voice on stage. Makeup was done, and with my outfit on, I went for the beautiful shoes that were the final finishing touch to my appearance. But my Cinderella’s shoes did not fit my sore feet, and it was a barefoot dancer who took a leap of faith and stepped out onto the dance floor. Amy introduced us onto the stage of the Senedd and the moment of truth. Could we pull it off? Lights, camera, action!
The music fired up, and we were HOT! HOT! HOT! Within moments, we were strutting our stuff to the beat, the heat, the pulse, and the whoops of the Windrush Elders who lifted our spirits into the dance. We were on fire and wore our outfits with pride. The climax was when we beckoned the Elders to join us on stage. They needed no encouragement and were soon on their youthful feet or dancing vigorously in the chairs. They definitely showed us a thing or two.
Throughout the journey of Dare to Dance, there were many laughs, a few hiccups, and bloopers along the way. Amy's firm yet reassuring voice boosted confidence in moments of nervous tension. ’You can do it… You’ve got it’. I can still hear Amy's voice whenever doubt creeps in today, like when I joined my newfound gym buddies in music and dance exercise classes. Soon we'll be off to see Strictly Professionals. I wonder if they’ll let me on the stage?!
Dare to Dance, Jacci, and the production team took me on an incredible and inspiring journey, enabling me to thank the Windrush Elders for the honour and privilege of participating in the 75th Windrush Anniversary celebrations. This challenge led to the realisation of a dream and was to fulfil aspects of my bucket list.
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Dare to Dance – series 2, episode 3 - is available on BBC iPlayer and was broadcast on 22nd March 2024 on BBC Wales.
You can watch back any time on catch up iplayer.
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