Spring has definitely sprung for the launch of the International Dance Festival Birmingham (2016); there is a whole host of exciting dance opportunities to feed your enthusiasm in the countdown - a year to go!
May will see the IDFB partner with Electric Swing Circus and Swingamajig to offer mixed ability dance workshops ahead of the Swingamajig Festival 2015. Hosted at DanceXchange's dance studios based at Birmingham Hippodrome, participants can learn Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz steps, as well as sharpening up existing skills!
Two innovative new shows will also take place at DanceXchange: a fiery flamenco and a thrilling piece from award-winning director Benji Reid, as well as hosting Sylvie Guillem, one of the greatest dancers of her generation, and even the twenty-first century. Flamenco star Jesús Fernández's production portrays his personal reflections on his roots: he will be accompanied by four outstanding artists, featuring live flamenco music and dance at its best. From Reid, inspired by the UK's basketball sub-culture, six dynamic performers mix live beatboxing, hip hop, music, moves and poetry. Verse is combined with contemporary movement celebrating the elegance and beauty of the gravity-defying game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNMYS8FnyM
Guillem has chosen to perform her last ever performances in the UK at Birmingham Hippodrome in September, prior to her retirement. Guillem will dance a solo work choreographed by Akram Khan and a pas de deux with Italian dancer Emanuela Montanari from La Scala, choreographed by Russell Maliphant. The programme also includes Mats Ek's touching and poignant Bye which was made especially for her, and William Forsythe's Duo performed by Brigel Gjoka and Riley Watts.
IDFB is also inviting professional artists and companies to submit ideas and concepts for a new commission for next year's festival, with a particular focus on outdoor places and unusual spaces.
International Dance Festival Birmingham
Stacey MacNaught |
Spring has definitely sprung for the launch of the International Dance Festival Birmingham (2016); there is a whole host of exciting dance opportunities to feed your enthusiasm in the countdown - a year to go!
May will see the IDFB partner with Electric Swing Circus and Swingamajig to offer mixed ability dance workshops ahead of the Swingamajig Festival 2015. Hosted at DanceXchange's dance studios based at Birmingham Hippodrome, participants can learn Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz steps, as well as sharpening up existing skills!
Two innovative new shows will also take place at DanceXchange: a fiery flamenco and a thrilling piece from award-winning director Benji Reid, as well as hosting Sylvie Guillem, one of the greatest dancers of her generation, and even the twenty-first century. Flamenco star Jesús Fernández's production portrays his personal reflections on his roots: he will be accompanied by four outstanding artists, featuring live flamenco music and dance at its best. From Reid, inspired by the UK's basketball sub-culture, six dynamic performers mix live beatboxing, hip hop, music, moves and poetry. Verse is combined with contemporary movement celebrating the elegance and beauty of the gravity-defying game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNMYS8FnyM
Guillem has chosen to perform her last ever performances in the UK at Birmingham Hippodrome in September, prior to her retirement. Guillem will dance a solo work choreographed by Akram Khan and a pas de deux with Italian dancer Emanuela Montanari from La Scala, choreographed by Russell Maliphant. The programme also includes Mats Ek's touching and poignant Bye which was made especially for her, and William Forsythe's Duo performed by Brigel Gjoka and Riley Watts.
IDFB is also inviting professional artists and companies to submit ideas and concepts for a new commission for next year's festival, with a particular focus on outdoor places and unusual spaces.