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Don’t miss next month’s issue of Dance Today, where we talk to Ray McVay of the Glenn Miller Orchestra (pictured), as well as three young couples who are rising up the ranks in the Juvenile, Junior and Youth categories. Plus, there’s part two of Rachelle Stretch’s guide to dance partnerships, and the concluding part of Imogen Walker’s in-depth series on physical fitness.
International Dance Festival Birmingham kicked off at the end of last month and runs until May 25. With over 35 performances spread across 28 days, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. As well as visits from international companies including the Kirov Ballet (from May 20, various programmes at the Birmingham Hippodrome), there’s a mass salsa dancing event planned to round up the festival on May 25. Salsa at Sunset will see over 500 people dancing together at The Mailbox, and the organisers are looking for participants, who need to register and pay a £5 fee to learn the specially choreographed routine beforehand. Contact Dance XChange on 0121 689 1092 to get involved. Photograph by Brian Slater.
West End Live
A total of 15 major London shows are already confirmed to feature at this year’s free outdoor theatre festival, West End Live. The annual event takes place on June 21 and 22 in London’s Leicester Square, and the shows involved include Grease, The Lord of The Rings, Stomp, Into The Hoods and Wicked. Visit www.westendlive.co.uk to find out more about this family-friendly extravaganza.
A total of 15 major London shows are already confirmed to feature at this year’s free outdoor theatre festival, West End Live. The annual event takes place on June 21 and 22 in London’s Leicester Square, and the shows involved include Grease, The Lord of The Rings, Stomp, Into The Hoods and Wicked. Visit www.westendlive.co.uk to find out more about this family-friendly extravaganza.
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“Strictly Come Dancing” favourite Letitia Dean will play the role of Ms Darbus in the new stage musical based on the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical (pictured), which runs at London’s Hammersmith Apollo from June 28 to August 31. For more details visit www.hsmonstage.co.uk or to book tickets call the box office on 0844 847 2397.
Flashdance – The Musical
“Strictly” judge Arlene Phillips, has choreographed the new production, Flashdance – The Musical, which opens at
the Theatre Royal Plymouth on July 19, 2008. Visit www.theatreroyal.com or call 01752 267222 for more details, and watch out for a review in a later issue of Dance Today.
“Strictly” judge Arlene Phillips, has choreographed the new production, Flashdance – The Musical, which opens at
the Theatre Royal Plymouth on July 19, 2008. Visit www.theatreroyal.com or call 01752 267222 for more details, and watch out for a review in a later issue of Dance Today.
Diet on the Dancefloor
Dancer Karen Hardy along with Matthew and Nicole Cutler will appear in “Diet on the Dancefloor”, a new TV show starting in July on LIVING TV, which sees contestants
Dancer Karen Hardy along with Matthew and Nicole Cutler will appear in “Diet on the Dancefloor”, a new TV show starting in July on LIVING TV, which sees contestants
Strictly Gershwin
The Royal Albert Hall will host English National Ballet in Strictly Gershwin, “a dazzling homage to George Gershwin, the big band era and the glamour of musical motion pictures” from June 13–22. The full company of 64 dancers will be joined over the season by international guest stars – nightly casting will be available by visiting www.strictlygershwin.co.uk. Over two acts combining ballet, tap and ballroom, the show features Gershwin favourites “Summertime”, “The Man I Love”, “Lady Be Good” and “Strike Up The Band” to name a few. For further details and to book tickets call the box office on 020 7838 3100.
The Royal Albert Hall will host English National Ballet in Strictly Gershwin, “a dazzling homage to George Gershwin, the big band era and the glamour of musical motion pictures” from June 13–22. The full company of 64 dancers will be joined over the season by international guest stars – nightly casting will be available by visiting www.strictlygershwin.co.uk. Over two acts combining ballet, tap and ballroom, the show features Gershwin favourites “Summertime”, “The Man I Love”, “Lady Be Good” and “Strike Up The Band” to name a few. For further details and to book tickets call the box office on 020 7838 3100.
Dance Al Fresco
Head to London’s Regent’s Park this summer for the return of outdoor dance with Tango Al Fresco and The Broadwalk Ballroom. Dates for the Broadwalk Ballroom are July 12 and August 9, while Tango Al Fresco will be held on July 13 and August 10. Visit www.dancealfresco.org for full details of these events including line-ups and times.
Head to London’s Regent’s Park this summer for the return of outdoor dance with Tango Al Fresco and The Broadwalk Ballroom. Dates for the Broadwalk Ballroom are July 12 and August 9, while Tango Al Fresco will be held on July 13 and August 10. Visit www.dancealfresco.org for full details of these events including line-ups and times.
Youth Dance England
Youth Dance England (YDE) has announced the appointment of Arlene Phillips OBE as their first patron. YDE is the national agency set up in 2004 to support and promote opportunities for young people in dance. Phillips said of the role, “I am passionate about dance and would like to see all young people enjoying it and getting as much out of dancing as I did.”
Youth Dance England (YDE) has announced the appointment of Arlene Phillips OBE as their first patron. YDE is the national agency set up in 2004 to support and promote opportunities for young people in dance. Phillips said of the role, “I am passionate about dance and would like to see all young people enjoying it and getting as much out of dancing as I did.”
Dancers’ Health Scheme
Dance UK, the Olympic Medical Institute, Laban Dance Science, the Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries at Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the University of Wolverhampton have teamed up to develop the Dancers’ Health Pilot Scheme. The scheme, in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, aims to explore provision for dancers’ healthcare, with a long-term goal to create a sports and dance medicine centre. Visit www.danceuk.org to find out more about initial plans and Dance UK itself.
Dance UK, the Olympic Medical Institute, Laban Dance Science, the Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries at Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the University of Wolverhampton have teamed up to develop the Dancers’ Health Pilot Scheme. The scheme, in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, aims to explore provision for dancers’ healthcare, with a long-term goal to create a sports and dance medicine centre. Visit www.danceuk.org to find out more about initial plans and Dance UK itself.
Big Dance is back in 2008 and dance enthusiasts are being invited to take part in this week-long, London-based celebration of dance from July 5-13. The event, which is backed by the Mayor of London, is intended to showcase the diverse range of dance styles enjoyed around the capital as well as the rest of the UK, and the last Big Dance in 2006 culminated in a world record-breaking dance where 752 people gathered in Trafalgar Square to perform 44 different styles simultaneously. The 2008 event will follow a similar theme, and if you want to get involved visit www.london.gov.uk/bigdance. (Photograph by James O Jenkins, courtesy of the Mayor of London.)
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