Posts Tagged ‘dancexchange’

DanceXchange’s Spring/Summer season

IDFB co-producer DanceXchange’s Spring/Summer 2011 season at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome is packed with exciting performances.

Last week, the season kicked off with David Toole and Lucy Hind’s satirical dance duet Extra-Ordinary. David and Lucy will be continuing to work together with acclaimed UK choreographer Liam Steele in collaboration with South African dance company Remix, in partnership with DanceXchange and The Baxter Theatre in South Africa, on an exciting Unlimited commission for the Cultural Olympiad in 2012, so look out for more information on that project soon.

Kip Johnson in LOL (lots of love) - photo by Nuno Santos

This month, IDFB’s (in)visible/visible dancin’ choreographer Luca Silvestrini is back in Birmingham with LOL (lots of love) on Thursday 17 February. Luca’s latest work has received 4 star reviews from The Times and The Guardian, and explores the very current theme of social networking and how it impacts on the way we live and love.

Here’s the trailer:

Tilted Productions’ Masquerade is on Friday 11 March. Described as “an excursion of the sleeping mind”, this piece for six dancers is inspired by Freud’s interpretations of dreams and features prosthetics by renowned SFX artist John Schoonraad.

London’s leading Hip hop company Avant Garde Dance, under Artistic Director Tony Adigun, are making their Birmingham debut with Illegal Dance on Sunday 26 March. A 360-degree multimedia production, the show is set in an underground society where dance and artistic expression are forbidden. The Stage described Avant Garde as “bold, inventive dance… an adventure in hip hop.”

A strong double bill comes to The Patrick Centre on Thursday 21 April from Company Chameleon founders Anthony Missen and Kevin Turner. Kith/Kin explores male relationships and identity. Before the Night Fell, made with choreographer Beth Cassani, looks at notions of camaraderie and bravery. Meanwhile, Rites is about coming of age, peer pressure and the events that shape men as sons, brothers, fathers and friends.

Kate Mason’s Mobius Dance Theatre will perform Such is Life at The Patrick Centre on Thursday 5 May. The show’s five fantastic performers will perform an athletic, high-octane theatrical work with a quirky edge.

Finally, dx will be presenting its annual Family Weekend – a weekend of dance performances and workshops for children and their families. There are two great shows featuring in the Family Weekend: White Caps, which is on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May, and See Saw on Saturday 21 May at 7pm and Sunday 22 May at 11am and 2pm.

Champloo Dance and Travelling Light’s White Caps combines film, music and physical performance. This piece, created by Wilkie Branson, is about the emotional and physical journey of two b-boys.

“Stronger”- an excerpt from White Caps from Wilkie Branson on Vimeo.

Meanwhile, Irish dance company Ciotog’s See Saw introduces young children to dance with an intimate and informal performance by three dancers interacting with the audience. Choreographer Ríonach Ní Néill said that the title See-Saw refers to people watching and looking, “the balance between looking and being looked at”

All shows start at 8pm except during the Family Weekend. Please check the website for age suitability.

Also, good news – ticket prices are staying at last season’s reduced rate:

In advance: £10/£7 concession
On the day: £12/£9 concession

For ticket sales call 0844 338 5000 or to book online and for more information visit www.dancexchange.org.uk.

IDFB 2010 gets gold

The team is extremely proud of IDFB 2010’s victory at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards in the Best One-off/Annual Event of the Year category.

And as a Gold winner, the 2010 Festival will be entered in the national Enjoy England Awards to represent the West Midlands in early 2011.

With Bob Warman at the Awards Photo by Jan Sansi Photography

According to the judges, IDFB 2010 “brought great national and international dance to venues and open spaces across the region. Through the range of work on offer, IDFB 2010 connected with the region’s diverse population, inspired pride and attracted visitors to the city. In doing so, IDFB 2010 raised aspirations, benefitted the local economy and enhanced the cultural life of the region.”

DanceXchange Artistic Director and IDFB Co-Director David Massingham said: “It is fantastic news that IDFB 2010 has been recognised in this way. The programme was truly diverse and very appealing, engaging people who wouldn’t usually come to arts events.

“The stage shows and unique outdoor productions complemented each other and attracted big audiences. We’re very proud of this result, which recognises the impact the event has had on the city and the region – after just two Festivals, it is a real achievement. We’re really looking forward to 2012!”

Stuart Griffiths, Birmingham Hippodrome Chief Executive and Co-Director of IDFB added: “IDFB has, in just two years, become one of the largest dance festivals in the world, so we are thrilled to have been presented with this tourism award. Not only were we able to present some of the best dance from around the globe, but we also saw audiences double in size from 2008.”

This year’s Festival had an audience of nearly 60,000 people and its broad range of programmes featured more than 30 different dance and performance styles, and represented almost 30 countries from six continents.

Fingers crossed for 2011 at the national awards – watch this space to find out if we scoop another gong!

Get ready for DanceXchange’s Autumn season

In addition to working with Birmingham Hippodrome to produce International Dance Festival Birmingham, DanceXchange also presents fantastic dance at The Patrick Centre. This DanceXchange Autumn season is no exception, and with the return of a classic and a brand new work by one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies, outrageous dance comedy, explosive African dance and an absorbing solo work performed on a running machine, this season is short but very sweet. Here’s a round-up of what’s in store for everyone.

Kicking off the season is Edits (Thursday 30 Sept), a highly anticipated new work by choreographer Lea Anderson and her six-strong male dance company, The Featherstonehaughs (pronounced Fan-shaws). The showstylishly draws on the peculiar elasticity of filmic time, the dramatic rhythm of film editing, and the ability to heighten effect through extreme close up.

Edits

Then on Friday 1 October, The Featherstonehaughs will be performing a classic piece (originally created in 1998) The Featherstonehaughs draw on the sketchbooks of Egon Schiele, bringing to life the artistic vision of Austrian expressionist artist Egon Schiele. Both The Featherstonehaughs’ shows are an opportunity to see the all-male company perform without The Cholmondeleys for the first time in 12 years. If you book for both shows in advance you get one half price- a great excuse to treat yourself to two nights of outstanding contemporary dance!

The Featherstonehaughs draw on the sketchbook of Egon Schiele

In October, things get a little silly, when Britain’s funniest dance duo New Art Club perform This is Now (Thursday 14 October).Watch them deconstruct the first ever Now That’s What I Call Music album and get all nostalgic as Tom and Pete wrestle with classic hits from Duran Duran and Bonnie Tyler (to name a few!)…

New Art Club This Is Now

Moving on to Saturday 6 November, Tavaziva Dance’s critically acclaimed Wild Dog features high-octane performers capturing the beauty and elegance of one of Africa’s most endangered species. There is also a brilliant soundtrack to enjoy, cut and arranged by award-winning Zimbabwean-born choreographer/composer Bawren Tavaziva.

Wild Dog

The season closes with Eddie Ladd’s Ras Goffa Bobby Sands/The Bobby Sands Memorial Race (Thursday 11 November). This solo dance piece will be performed on a 12ft x 6ft running machine and follows the life of Bobby Sands, who died on hunger strike in the H Blocks in Belfast in 1981. Moving and compelling, this is a piece of dance unlike any other.

Eddie Ladd // Ras Goffa Bobby Sands / The Bobby Sands Memorial Race

DanceXchange Programme Manager Paul Burns said: “This Autumn season we’re continuing to present fantastic dance with a varied programme showcasing some of the best work currently being made in the UK. From the iconic Featherstonehaughs to the hilarious New Art Club we think there is something for every dance lover to enjoy.”

I’m certainly very much looking forward to all of these shows, which are going to be at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome.

All shows start at 8pm – please check the website for age suitability and running times.

Tickets:

In advance: £10/£7 concession
On the day: £12/£9 concession

For ticket sales call 0844 338 5000 or to book online and for more information visit www.dancexchange.org.uk.