Young Hackney gymnasts hit London festival
You might be forgiven for not knowing that Stoke Newington is a veritable hub for dance and gymnastics in East London. But a hub it certainly is, with the North East London Gymnastics Club at its toe-tapping centre.
Members of the club’s gymnastics display team ventured out to Brentwood in Essex last month to take part in the annual London Gymnastics Festival. Made up of an eclectic mix of ages and abilities, the team had their first opportunity to showcase their moves with other gymnasts and to get inspiration from fellow clubs performing at the event. Next year looks set to bring new challenges, with the team planning to take part in a range of different festivals.
As well as being a renowned gymnastics centre, the club also caters for those of a more dance-orientated persuasion. Its repertoire of dance styles offered is, in true Hackney style, head-spinningly diverse. Street-inspired break and hip hop, smooth modern jazz dance and more traditional ballet are all offered, alongside the usual gymnastic classes.
Based in Milton Grove, Stoke Newington, the club’s venue is affectionally known as “The Cube” – a reference to the huge glass bricks that serve as windows and lend the building something of an ‘ice cube’ air.