Over 50 older adults who participate in Yorkshire Dance’s Dance On programme surprised on Friday, 6 March 2026 with a special flashmob. The performance in The Broadway Shopping Centre, Bradford kicked off the weekend celebrating International Women’s Day.  

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality worldwide and this year’s theme was ‘Give to Gain’.  

Three Dance On Dance Artists, Deana Morgan, Louise Hodgson and Rachel Clarke, worked this year’s theme into the Dance On 2026 flashmob choreography. They rehearsed with participants since the start of the year using the piece to celebrate the range of dancer’s abilities and ages across the Dance On Bradford programme.  

Deana, Dance On Artist, said:  

“International Women’s Day is always the highlight of my Dance On calendar. Collectively deciding on the inspiring music and working together with other Dance On artists is always fun, but the icing on the cake is sharing the choreography and the event itself with our dancers. It’s empowering for all of us and always well received by shoppers and passersby when we light up the Broadway Shopping Centre every year!” 

 Anne Bateson, a participant at Dance On Greengates and Shipley shared:  

“International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to get together with other Dance On groups, to share a celebratory dance in public, encouraging other women to join us and benefit from the fun, fitness and friendships”  

The boundary-breaking Dance On programme for older adults challenges perceptions around dance and age across Bradford and Leeds. Sessions are for over 55s and focus on fun and friendship. If you are interested in trialling one of our sessions for FREE, please email DanceOn@yorkshiredance.com