A series of joyful, inclusive disco dancing sessions are being held at The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, which the organiser says is a chance to let go, have fun, learn a routine and dance together!
The two hour sessions are led by Claire Hodgson, who is not only the joint artistic director of the Dorset-based performing arts company Diverse City, but is also very proud to have been crowned the South East of England disco dancing champion in 1982.
Disco dancing on Saturday afternoons at The Mowlem
Learning some new disco moves
The aim is to spend a relaxed Saturday afternoon from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm on selected dates throughout 2026 in The Studio, brushing up on those disco moves or learning some new steps.
Dance Yourself Dizzy 2026 dates
- Saturday 28th March 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 16th May 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 27th June 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 4th July 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 18th July 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 1st August 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Saturday 19th September 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Diverse City campaigns for equity and diversity for the arts, believing all voices must be heard and all audiences welcomed.
Everyone is invited to come along to the Dance Yourself Dizzy afternoons, with both women and men attending, spanning an age range from 10 to 84 years.
Each session costs £10 and the money goes to Diverse City to train performers with disabilities in aerial circus skills.
Some of the disco dancing enthusiasts who signed up for one of the first sessions
Wear what you want – sequins and leg warmers optional!
“It’s all very sociable!”
Claire Hodgson, who lives in Swanage, said:
“It’s an opportunity to dance together in the afternoons. I wear my sequin jumpsuit but people can wear anything which is suitable to dance in.
“The music includes disco sounds from the 70s, through to modern disco like Sophie Ellis Bexter’s top tunes. We learn routines together, helping to make people feel more confident on the dance floor.
“While it is two hours, we do take a break in the middle for a drink and a chat, and there’s also the option to go to the bar afterwards – it’s all very sociable!”
Claire Hodgson MBE joint artistic director of the Dorset-based performing arts company Diverse City, is hosting an event at The Mowlem reaching out to businesses and organisations who would like to support the arts company’s work
Celebrating 20 years
Claire co-founded Diverse City in 2006 and the performing arts company is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Over the years it has grown and expanded and while based in Dorset, shows have been performed across the UK and internationally.
The company has run projects in Purbeck, Ireland, and Kenya, as well as some notable standout performances like the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony in Weymouth, and breaking the Guinness world record at Camp Bestival for the largest disco dance.
There has also been the touring production of Midlife, a play which explores the realities of getting older, the menopause and the experience of mid life, which ended with dancing in the aisles of The Mowlem in 2025.
In 2026, the company now employs 16 members of staff, including five people from Dorset, of which three live in Swanage.
Harry Bassett says working and performing with Diverse City was a massive learning curve but it changed his life
“Change other people’s lives for the better”
Claire said:
“After 20 years, the thing which is the most brilliant is being part of a community where everyone can take part in the arts. There have been the shows and the projects but it’s the people that have been so amazing.
“We’ve all changed and developed over the years and I can confidently say we have been able to change other people’s lives for the better and that’s a privilege.
“One great example is Harry Bassett, who I met by chance at Bournemouth airport on the way to Tenerife. He was with his girlfriend at the time, who I knew and we got chatting.
“He’s a musician and a wheelchair user and he told me how he wanted to find new ways to freelance. I encouraged him to come along to one of our residences.
“Now, Harry is a composer, musical director, and performer and is making a new show with Diverse City called The Other Life I Lead, a gig-theatre piece touring in 2026 and 2027, where live music and storytelling are intertwined.
“Our aim is to make sure everyone meets their potential. We live in a world which believes only some can do that but that’s not right.
“It’s brilliant that Diverse City has reached 20 years and that I get to work with such an amazing group of people!
Swanage’s disco champion Claire Hodgson in the semi-autobiographical play Mid Life
An Evening with Diverse City
To mark its milestone year, Diverse City is holding an event on Saturday 18th April 2026 in The Studio at The Mowlem. It is a relaxed, welcoming evening of short films and conversation to celebrate 20 years of Diverse City.
While Diverse City is known in the arts world, it is less well known in Purbeck and the arts company is keen to invite local organisations and companies to come along to the free event to find out more about its work.
Claire added:
“We’re really interested in connecting with local businesses who care about inclusion, creativity and community.
“If you’re a business owner, or part of a workplace thinking about who to support this year, this could be a really exciting moment to get involved with Diverse City.”
Watch the Guinness world record largest disco dance
Further information
- More about Dance Yourself Dizzy and to reserve a place
- An Evening with Diverse City – Film, conversation and community – celebrating 20 years of inclusive, fearless performance on Saturday 18th April 2026 6 pm to 8 pm at The Mowlem Studio. Free to attend but anyone who wants to find out more about Diverse City is asked to register in advance by emailing Claire.Hodgson@diversecity.org.uk
