Our Social Space

Creating space for social connections within local communities.

Inclusive social dance, community cinema, urban gardening and social evenings that help people connect, move and belong.

Classes, events & community projects

Support inclusive local programmes

Affordable, community-focussed studio hire

About us

We’re a local charity working to reduce loneliness and promote social health by bringing people together through community activities, classes, and volunteering - based in Belfast.

Learn more about our mission and how you can be part of it.

Our Story in Film

Celebrating One Year at Dance Addiction

As we mark the first anniversary of Our Social Space transitioning into Dance Addiction as our community venue, we’re delighted to share this creative short film developed with our dance community.

 

Lost Sole was created as part of the NI Now Project, supported by the Nerve Centre and Northern Ireland Screen, and now forms part of the Northern Ireland Digital Archives.

Filmed in Our Speakeasy, the story follows a curious lost sole who stumbles into a lively Cotton Club-style gathering, discovering a welcoming world of rhythm, connection and social dancing.

 

This film was brought to life by our fabulous community social dancers, with story written by Julie and creative direction from Mark. It celebrates the creativity, collaboration and sense of belonging that continues to shape Our Social Space.

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🗑️ Adventures of the Blues Bin: Sunday Blues Field Notes – Episode 1

Confession: I may have been sneaking around Sunday Blues dance classes… and this week, things got very interesting.

 

Part 1 – Spirit Moves & Sneaky Prep

This week, the humans tackled Spirit Moves - inspired by “The Spirit Moves: A History of Black Social Dance on Film”, a treasure trove of African American vernacular dances from the 1900s–60s. These dances carry history, rhythm, improvisation, storytelling, and culture - all in motion.

 

The teacher was nervous. She’d shown the humans a film clip from the archive, and for a moment, I swear I saw panic in their eyes. She half-expected them to bolt out of the studio. Honestly, I may have nudged them back in… purely to see what would happen next.

(Side note from me: humans really do make hilarious faces when confronted with proper snakey legs. 10/10 for comic value.)

 

Before class even began, hours had gone into planning: props, sequences, music, tempos, and transitions. It’s like an iceberg 🧊 - the dancing you see is just the tip. And yes, I peeked behind the curtain. No snacks involved. Rude.

 

 

Part 2 – Secret Ingredients & Bin Wisdom

At first, the humans looked… stiff. Arms locked, legs hesitant. Before they were reminded “you have arms”, I feared I’d have to give them a gentle shake myself.

 

Slowly, they discovered the secret ingredients of Blues: rhythm, improvisation, control, agility, asymmetry, and dynamism.

 

They even absorbed (without me telling them) a Kongo proverb: “Dance with bended knees, lest you be taken for a corpse.” Soon, stiff limbs gave way to flexible knees and lively feet, and suddenly the room was alive with movement.

(Observational note: one human attempted a fishtail and nearly collided with me. I held my bin lid firmly — dignity preserved.)

 

By the end of class, smiles were everywhere, high-fives were flying, and the humans had absorbed both history and skill. Even I, the Blues Bin, may have shed a tiny bin tear.

 

Part 3 – Tea & Gossip Hour

After the last note faded, humans gathered around mugs of tea.

 

Stories were swapped, laughter erupted, and reflections on history and movement filled the room.

 

(Personal insight: prime biscuit-dropping opportunity achieved. Humans remain delightfully unaware.)

 

They called it “community.” I called it research heaven.

 

Sunday Blues is more than dancing. It’s history, rhythm, improvisation, effort, joy… and a little magic hidden in every step.

 

 

The Blues Bin will return next week… purely for research purposes, of course.
Spoiler: I may have plans to hide a hat or two in the studio…

💙