2004 – date
Hang, founded in 2004 by Helen Averley, Jo Templey, Rachel Kurtz & Lynn Campbell, is an aerial dance company that has created many performances like Sirens & Sailors in 2005, Get Knotted in 2007, and Buzz Off in 2008. These were performed on a mobile tri-lite aerial rig. They also made site-specific shows on Tall Ships, trees and in aircraft hangars. Many of their performances were followed by have-a-go sessions where members of the audience were invited to hang upside down and try out moves on the trapeze. They have described their style of performances as dark cheese. In 2007 they recruited & trained 80 volunteer performers for a huge show on the Tyne River with Catalan company La Fura del Baus. Originally based in the Buddle Arts Centre, where they trained and taught adult classes on a regular basis, their performances began to slow down as the Buddle closed. In 2008 company members also focussed on other projects: Lynn, Jo & Rachel went on to develop a new aerial show with Bare Toed Dance Co. Hang now perform some corporate gigs & teach regularly at Dance City & Circus Central with Jane Park & Sara Coxon. At the end of 2013 Hang returned to being a collective rather than a formal partnership.