Dance Village
From ballet to breakdance, flamingo to foxtrot, the NHS Bristol Dance Village showcases an amazing spectacle of dance.
For full programme information, see left column.
Since its introduction to the festival just two years ago, the Dance Village is now firmly established as one of the weekend’s top attractions. In response to its huge popularity, this year the main performance area moves to Millennium Square, with a bigger stage and more space for audiences to enjoy the huge variety of dance on show. The Participation stage returns once more to Hannover Quay and a new Social Dance Area has been included to the ever-growing Dance Village.
An outstanding programme, put together by the festival’s dance programmer, Ashley Russell, will feature international, world-class headliners, as well as regional and local talent. Headliners include two principal dancers from the New York City Ballet performing a piece from ‘Swan Lake’ and performances from one of the world’s leading dance companies, Netherlands Dance Theatre. Both acts have never previously performed in Bristol.
Other highlight acts not to be missed include current ISAF International Hip Hop World Champions, The Dark Angels, Bollywood dance team Sonia Mumtaz and the Bollywood Glamour Group with their mix of modern and traditional routines, and Kompany Malakhi’s specially commissioned ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’.
This year’s dance programme is once again brought to you in partnership with NHS Bristol. Those inspired to give dance a try can head down to Hannover Quay, where the ‘Let’s Dance’ performance area gives visitors the chance to join in the free dance sessions where they can tap, shake and swing their way to fitness, festival style!
In addition to the participation stage, and new to this year’s line-up, is the Social Dance area located in Cathedral Walk. Here Bristol-based dance groups, including Zamba, Clifton Le Roc, Salsa Sabrosa, Lindy Hop and Tango West, will show off their dance styles that have lead to the formation of their own vibrant and exciting social scenes.
Visitors to the festival will also be able to pick up a dance voucher entitling them to a free dance class at venues throughout Bristol. More information about the performances and other acts at this year’s event will be released and available from the website on 5 July.
