Steps in Time is a collection of eight films made through the Renaissance Partnership Initiative to create a contemporary filmed history of the story of dance in Leeds. Made in collaboration with Leeds Museums, Mojo Media, and the Yorkshire Film Archive, this project follows the inspiring, heart-felt, true story of dance through the eyes of the people who dance to live and live to dance. This film tells the story of Joan Holmes and her Jazz style of dance. Opening titles of Steps in Time...

Steps in Time is a collection of eight films made through the Renaissance Partnership Initiative to create a contemporary filmed history of the story of dance in Leeds. Made in collaboration with Leeds Museums, Mojo Media, and the Yorkshire Film Archive, this project follows the inspiring, heart-felt, true story of dance through the eyes of the people who dance to live and live to dance. This film tells the story of Joan Holmes and her Jazz style of dance. Opening titles of Steps in Time - Joan Holmes 'Jazz' Joan explains she was born in Holbeck, a very poor area many referred to as slums. When she was about seven, a friend of hers had dance lessons, and Joan had the urge to dance. Her mother was lame as a result of infantile paralysis, or Polio, but she had always wanted to dance. When Joan mentioned it to her mother, she was very supportive of her ambitions. Joan went to a school in Loworthly called the Crofton School of Dance run by Lena Dickson. The dancers performed charity shows and on one occasion went to Selby to entertain the Prisoners of War. After the school closed, Joan continued onto the Studio School of Dance in Leeds city centre on Duncan Street. Joan stayed with them until she did her Teachers Exam, and after which, opened up her own school in Holbeck. Joan explains she always preferred to teach. Rather than go on the stage for a career, she wanted to teach and cerography movements to music. The interview with Joan is intercut with archive footage of ballroom dancers and street scenes. Still - Joan as a girl in a dress and red hat, ballet tutu, in a leotard in the garden doing the splits. Joan's mother holding a tambourine. Joan in costume posing x2. Archive footage streets. Still - Joan holding a bow and arrow, sitting in a gown with sparkly shoes, performers dressed in Chinese outfits. Archive footage of band playing. Still - Empire Theatre Briggate Leeds, Saturday June 7th 1958, Commence at 1:45p.m prompt, The Newsvendors Benevolent Institution (Leeds Area), Presents, "Around the World" by the Studio School of Dance, Principals: Miss M, Pinkney, LISTD, MIDMA (Stage), Miss J. Fletcher, MIDMA, RAD (Stage), Miss L. Blades, MIDMA, Assistant, Pianists Mrs A Jones and Miss D. Dunn. - International Dancing Masters' Association - Stage Branch Examinations Report. Archive footage ballroom dancers (slowed down). Still - Joan in costume. Some of the women in the current dance class explain their passion for dance and why they are involved in the class. This includes: Woman 1 - I love dancing and I love the atmosphere and I love the people. Woman 2 - I've made such a lot of friends. Woman 3 - I just love it the way the music just makes your body feel lighter and I really enjoy it. Woman 2 - I love dance. Woman 4 - It's something that people can be taught, I couldn't be taught to paint but I can be taught to dance. Woman 2 - I've been coming about 15 years I think. Woman 5 - It's good exercise it's better than going to the gym and it's fun. Woman 6 - It's assimilation of the mind body and everything. Woman 7 - It's the final day of the Christmas performance. And I'm sure we will be very good because Leanne says we have come on really well this term and she's a gorgeous choreographer. Joan - We've made such lovely friendships. We may not see each other for months, but whenever we get back together, it's just as if we've been talking yesterday. I never want to give up dancing. It'll be a sad day when I have to. Joan is dancing in studio (slow motion). These images are combined with exteriors of The West Yorkshire Playhouse. Next, Joan is dancing with a group. The group of women are rehearsing their routine. It is now show time, and the audience begins to file in and be seated in the auditorium, ready for the show to begin. The dancers get ready and make their way into the venue. Finally, the dance group performs their routine in costume which consists of black trousers and tops with silver scarves.