THURROCK-based arts organisation Kinetika and UK-based Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates will be presenting The Thank You Dance in the Pageant, which will take place on the 5th June to honour Her Majesty The Queen as the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee with 70 years of service.
The Thank You Dance will be a visually arresting spectacle made up of over 200 performers drawn from across generations from Thurrock, London and Milton Keynes, covered in hand-painted silks, and holding vibrant flags designed and made by community groups from Tilbury, Grays, Purfleet-on-Thames and Milton Keynes.
14 key workers from Thurrock have been chosen to have their portraits and stories showcased on silks which will appear at the Pageant, celebrating the hard work they do for the local area every day. Kinetika is actively seeking additional key workers and their stories to share with the public and feature on their website around the Platinum Jubilee. The public are encouraged to submit stories or nominations, discover more on the Kinetika website.
The Thank You Dance is a Thank You to the Queen for 70 years of public service and a Thank You to all those who selflessly contribute to society, looking after our communities and laying the foundation for a better life for generations to come.
Kinetika and Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates take inspiration from Her Majesty to thank:
Key workers and the essential role they have played throughout the pandemic
Volunteers who have stepped up with kindness to look after their neighbours
Young people who are actively taking responsibility for the future of our planet
The Thank You Dance will join The Pageant which will wind through the streets of Westminster and along The Mall past Buckingham Palace telling the story of Her Majesty’s record reign and our transforming society over this period.
Kinetika’s artistic director, Ali Pretty and Jeanefer Jean-Charles of Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates will work with Pageant Master Adrian Evans LVO (Lieutenant of the Victorian Order) to form the spectacle. Adrian was the Pageant Master of the The Queen’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012, acclaimed as “the biggest event ever staged in London”.
Artistic Director at Kinetika, Ali Pretty says, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to present, in one day, all that Kinetika stands for, working with the diverse communities of Thurrock, where we are based, along with community groups in Milton Keynes, young dancers from London, and with local people who have dedicated their lives, as key workers, to public service. We are honoured to play our part in celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant.”
Kinetika is an internationally renowned company, specialising in creating large-scale hand-painted silks. For over 20 years Kinetika has been combining world-class design with community projects to produce spectacular outdoor commissions that engage diverse audiences. The commercial arm of the business, Kinetika Design Studio has been commissioned to design and manufacture bespoke silks to commemorate special occasions and for ceremonies at high profile events such as the Royal Opera House Deloitte Ignite Festival, Atlanta Olympics, FIFA Club World Cup London 2012 Paralympic Closing Ceremony and Milan Expo
Creative Director and Producer Jeanefer Jean-Charles from Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates says, “I am thrilled to be part of the creative team working on this extraordinary event. The Thank You Dance will highlight the invaluable role of our exceptional key workers – something close to Her Majesty’s heart. I look forward to celebrating so many special people who have saved lives, comforted the sick and touched all our hearts.”
Jeanefer’s company Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates are industry leaders in developing, directing and delivering creative responses for large-scale events.
For over 20 years Jeanefer has designed and delivered artistic solutions for some of the world’s most iconic events including the Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace, all four of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, The F.A. Cup Final 2016 Opening Ceremony at Wembley and the first ever Big Dance – which broke a world record.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, as part of the extended Bank Holiday Weekend, will take place on Sunday 5th June 2022, to provide an opportunity for communities and people to celebrate the historic milestone of Her Majesty The Queen as the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee with 70 years of service. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s reign of seven decades.
The Thank You Dance will join the Pageant which will wind through the streets of Westminster and along The Mall past Buckingham Palace telling the story of Her Majesty’s record reign and our transforming society over this unprecedented period.
