Posts Tagged ‘hippodrome’

What’s on in week 3

We’ve reached the Festival’s halfway point already, but there’s no let up in the pace as we move into week 3 – here’s what’s on:

Performances

strictly

This week begins with the glitz and the glamour of Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals at Birmingham Hippodrome. Between Tuesday and Sunday you’ll be able to see the world champion dancers from the smash-hit BBC TV series as they take to the stage.

Chanta La Mui – a trio of young dancers who have enjoyed excellent reputations as soloists – will be bringing flamenco to Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. Complot is flamenco with a contemporary twist, while Recital goes back to the dance’s traditional form.

gnosis

On Friday and Saturday, Akram Khan returns to his classical roots with Gnosis at Town Hall. Gnosis is a story in four parts told using kathak, the most expressive of classical Indian dance forms, to explore the inner and outer battles of characters both human and godly.

Family Weekend

funny-bones

The week ends with IDFB 2010’s Family Weekend. Funny Bones is a stimulating interactive dance experience for young audiences and can be seen on Friday and Saturday at the Patrick Centre.

On Sunday there’s the exciting, rhythmic spectacle of Echoa, also at The Patrick Centre. There are pre and post-show workshops for Funny Bones and Echoa for children to get involved in.

Talk to us

Keep up to date with what’s happening – follow IDFB on Twitter and sign up to the Facebook Page.

If you’re planning to go along to any of the events, or if you’ve enjoyed any of the ones so far, then let us know. We love hearing from you and thank you for the great messages you have been sending us.

What’s on in week 2

Here’s a round-up of what’s happening this week (26 April-2 May) at International Dance Festival Birmingham. It’s only the second week of the Festival and it’s jam-packed with fantastic dance experiences, so there’s something for everyone!

The Performances

The world-renowned Ballet Nacional de Cuba presents a stunning mixed bill Magia de la Danza at Birmingham Hippodrome, featuring a special guest appearance from Carlos Acosta on the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

carlos-acosta

At The Rep, we have the extraordinary Sutra by celebrated Flemish/Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in collaboration with Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley and 17 Monks directly from the original Shaolin Temple in China. This show has had fantastic reviews, and is definitely a must-see.

Meanwhile, The Patrick Centre presents a hilarious double bill; Pere Faura’s ‘This is a Picture of a Person I Don’t Know’ and Club Fisk’s Forestillinger, Birmingham Hippodrome hosts Ballet Nacional de Cuba’s Giselle, and The Rep has circus-inspired spectacular CIRCA.

The IDFB 2010 Shop will also be open in the Pavillions shopping centre, with classes, rehearsals and opportunities to get involved in the Put Your Foot Down event. You can also buy tickets and merchandise or chat to the IDFB team and find out what’s coming up in the Festival.

Free events

There are free performances of Utopia in Victoria Square on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Directed by Arthur Pita, Utopia combines contemporary dancers with Russian, Spanish, Indian and African folk dance groups, all moving to the turbo-folk Gypsy and Balkan beats of Birmingham’s very own band, The Destroyers. Don’t miss this free global dance spectacular.

Outspoken Weekend

Supported by the British Council, the Outspoken Weekend starts on Thursday with a range of performances, talks and films celebrating dance from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. Outspoken is the first UK performance season dedicated to new choreography from Arab artists, and features exclusive previews and thought-provoking discussions. You can see the full line-up here. Some of the Outspoken events are free – for the others, individual tickets are available, as is a £30 weekend pass.

outspoken

It’s a busy festival with lots going on, so to keep up to date with what’s happening follow IDFB on Twitter and sign up to the Facebook Page. Please also let us know what you go to see – we’d love to hear from you about what you’re enjoying in IDFB 2010!

The IDFB 2010 launch

IDFB Launch 002

Last night International Dance Festival Birmingham’s funders, sponsors, organisers and friends came together for the festival’s official unveiling.

After a joint performance by 2FaCeD DaNcE Company, Rosie Kay Dance Company and cossack dancer Bruce Tetlow, festival co-directors David Massingham (DanceXchange) and Stuart Griffiths (Birmingham Hippodrome) took to the stage to welcome everybody and announce a phenomenal line-up of international talent.

The launch pack handed out to guests has details of the festival programme and can be downloaded below, along with a press release from festival sponsor Brewin Dolphin (right-click and save as on the following links):

You can listen to Stuart and David’s speech here:

There are more photos and some video from the evening, which we’ll post here when we receive them. In the meantime, last night’s event left those who attended in no doubt that International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010 will be something exceptional.

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010 is produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, and funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands, and Birmingham City Council.  It is also sponsored by Brewin Dolphin, has a Media Partner (BBC WM) and Accommodation Partner (Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre), and is part of the West Midlands’ Culture Programme for 2012.

In the picture above:

  • Back row, L-R: Chris Linda (Rosie Kay Dance Company), Mathew Chambers (2FaCeD DaNcE Company), Johnny Autin (2FaCeD DaNcE Company), Stuart Griffiths (Co-Director IDFB), John Driver (Divisional Director, Brewin Dolphin), David Massingham (Co-Director IDFB), Tamsin Fitzgerald (Artistic Director, 2FaCeD DaNcE Company), and Rosie Kay (Director, Rosie Kay Dance Company)
  • Front row, L-R: Robby Graham (2FaCeD DaNcE company), Tilly Webber (Rosie Kay Dance Company), Bruce Tetlow, Nathan French (2FaCeD DaNcE Company)