Older people, including those with learning disabilities, take part in a programme of weekly arts and social activities and large-scale performance events, often joined and enjoyed by younger generations.

A chance to explore new experiences, new relationships, new possibilities, through music, dance, story-telling, encounter and exchange.

tea and cake...human rights and advocacy...old songs and traditions... multi-media and avant guarde...folk, popular and recognised forms...unfamiliar and innovative...

Entelechy takes a conventional and recognised form, the 'tea dance', and turns it on its head. Older people from different communities, including older African-Caribbean people, older people with learning disabilities, older Latin-American people are involved in a weekly programme of arts activities and large scale multi-media music theatre events which take the form into the 21st Century. The work gives a context for people from similar generations who have had very different journeys and life stories to share their experiences and recognise the experiences of others.

The work brings together the stories and experiences of people whose paths may not normally cross and provides new opportunities for older people to explore totally new territories and experiences.

"This black woman was telling a story and I got right interested in it. If I like something, I will say it and I said to this woman, 'That was a lovely story. I could listen to more. Is it a true story?' She said, 'Yes, I wrote it'. 'Is it about your life?' She said, 'Yeah'. Now I was having a conversation with her like that"
Joan Godfrey

Beyond the Tea Dance happens everywhere: in health and arts centres, in people's sitting rooms, in parks, cafes and community centres.

The programme includes:

• Rampage an intergenerational dance project at the Peckham Pulse
• Tuesday Afternoons at the Peckham Pulse Music, dance, stories and song The group membership is currently 40 strong and there is a waiting list of people wanting to join. Some people come with support staff, many of whom are also musicians and participants, so often we are talking about a group of 50. The group hosts a number of large-scale 'tea dance' events. ·
• Orkestra an eclectic encounter of musicians, including older people
• Tea Dance a programme of performances involving music, song, dance, poetry and story telling · Journeys a programme of cultural and social visits and events for members
• Consultation and Conversation responding to requests for older people's views about, and experiences of the arts

"The variety of the work was amazing: poetry, storytelling, drama and mime, dancing, singing. The pieces were of a high standard full of personal an emotional content, grounded and enlightening, each a different pleasure for the audience. I was impressed by the voices of the people singing. Yes, these were truly remarkable talents. The 'Twilight Strollers' certainly contributed to making the orchestra 'incredible'. Ross William's has a haunting and strong voice. The older singers were so powerful, forthright and talented...It was so good to see such a wide variety of cultures represented, with the people from South America and Guyanan storyteller. What amazing stories they must have and represent to have travelled so far, geographically and in terms of experience. To start from South America and now to come to the latter part of their lives in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham."
Michael Noonan, 'Beyond the Tea Dance' performance

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