Posts Tagged ‘stuart griffiths’

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!

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)

International Dance Festival Birmingham launch

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010 can proudly announce its arrival in the dance calender, marked by a launch event tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome.

It was announced yesterday the festival, run by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, will take place from Monday 19 April – Sunday 16 May 2010, once again funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands, and Birmingham City Council. The 2010 festival is also delighted to welcome Brewin Dolphin as sponsor, BBC Radio WM as Media Partner and Crowne Plaza (Birmingham City Centre) as Accomodation Partner.

Showcasing a huge range of dance styles at venues across both the city and the region, 2010 highlights include: a new solo Kathak work by acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan; the National Ballet of Cuba featuring guest appearances by Carlos Acosta; Mark Morris Dance Group with the orchestra of English National Opera; Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals; Sutra, a stunning dance piece featuring 17 monks from the original Shaolin Temple in China; and C!RCA, a thoroughly new circus show combining dance with awe inspiring acrobatics. There will also be a host of other activities and events including free outdoor spectaculars, a weekend for children and families, and many opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part.

Announcing the Festival, David Massingham, Artistic Director of DanceXchange and Co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2010 said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing back this exciting Festival for its second year. Once again Birmingham will be showcasing some of the finest international talent across a broad range of dance styles appealing to diverse groups of audiences and dancers from across the region. More than 18 countries are represented in the programme – including Cuba, USA, France, India, Morocco, China, Norway, Madeira, Italy, Belgium and Germany – reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a world stage. Whether it’s ballet, flamenco, contemporary, ballroom, street, breakin or jazz you’re looking for, there really is something to suit all tastes!”

Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome and IDFB 2010 Co-Artistic Director Stuart Griffiths added:

“More than ever dance is broadening its appeal across the generations. Whether it’s essential Saturday night family viewing, exciting projects in schools and colleges, or award winning new creative work, it’s increasingly impacting on all our lives with benefits for everyone to see. Through IDFB 2010, we’re particularly delighted to be working with numerous city partners and venues including Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Ikon Eastside, Town Hall, as well as some of the major retail outlets, to ensure our exciting programme can be experienced and enjoyed by as many people as possible.”

A review of our launch event will be coming online in the next few days, so do check back for updates.