Foxtrot into Nottingham for a summer of dance

2014 is the year of dance in Nottingham with the city’s biggest ever programme of world class dance events. With three In Notts We Love Dance summer weekends, from 26 June – 13 July 2014, visitors and locals alike will be greeted by a spectacular dance festival and guaranteed a magnificent beginning to their summer, with many FREE events for everyone to enjoy. 

Across the three weekends, you will see extraordinary work presented in Nottingham’s Old Market Square, Intu Broadmarsh shopping centre as well as the city’s world class venues, including Lakeside Arts Centre, Theatre Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Playhouse and Nottingham Contemporary. 

Sarah Thursfield, Marketing Manager, Experience Nottinghamshire, said: “Dance in Nottingham this year is going to be massive, and it’s exciting that huge dance organisations, Youth Dance England, Dance4 and Big Dance, will descend on the city. 

“During the first In Notts We Love Dance weekend (26 – 29 June), Youth Dance England presents  U.Dance 2014, national youth dance festival where over 400 young performers descend upon the city to showcase their inspirational performances at some of Nottingham’s best-loved cultural venues, as well as lots of free events for everyone to enjoy in the Old Market Square. 

“The second weekend (5 – 6 July) will bring a colourful and vibrant programme to the city centre. Local dancers and communities have been selected to perform in the Old Market Square and you can expect a colourful, vibrant programme of dance such as street, latin belly dance and more. You can also enjoy a unique experience as your tram journey is brought to life by the members of Nottinghamshire's own eNGine Collective with high energy, physical comedy and outrageous scenarios during Jam on a Tram. 

“Finally, the third and final weekend will bring the much anticipated Big Dance commission to town, the UK's largest festival of dance participation and performance. With South Asian dancing in the Old Market Square, to connect with the world famous England vs India International Test Match at Trent Bridge, and the incredible sounds and moves of Torvill & Dean's unforgettable choreography bought to live with Live Bolero, it will be a spectacular finale to In Notts We Love Dance.”

Here is a round-up of top dance events taking place throughout Nottingham. For more information visit: www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/love-dance. 

U.Dance 2014: National Youth Dance Festival (26, 27, 28 & 29 June 2014) – Nottingham Playhouse

Over 400 young dancers will descend upon Nottingham for a celebration of dance, made for and by young people. The event will showcase the breadth and diversity of youth dance that is being created across Britain. At Nottingham Playhouse, you will be able to see three inspiring and distinctive performances of new work in a range of dance styles from dance theatre to vogueing, hip hop to ballet and contemporary to kathak. To see the full programme, including free public performances, visit www.dance4.co.uk.

Nott Just Ballet (27 June 2014, 5pm – 5:30pm) – Nottingham Theatre Royal FREE

A week of dance workshops for 60 local young people to build confidence, self-esteem and artistic skills will culminate in a one-off special performance on the world class stage at Nottingham Theatre Royal during the run of La Fille Mal Gardée by Birmingham Royal Ballet at the theatre. www.dance4.co.uk

Bollyero at the Natwest T20 Blast (28 June 2014, from 2pm) – Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

Enjoy a spectacular performance of dance during the outfield pre-match and interval at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. For one day only, fusing Torvill & Dean’s Bolero with South Asian dance, choreographer Laura Savage will be working with BTEC performing arts dance students from Rushey Mead School, Leicester to create ‘Bollyero’. For more information or to buy your tickets visit: www.trentbridge.co.uk.

East Midlands Inclusive Dance Commission: Petroglyph (29 June 2014, 1pm – 2pm) – Nottingham Contemporary FREE

Created by acclaimed choreographers, Gary Clarke and TC Howard, Petroglyph is an epic physical celebration of young people joining forces and coming together. The sculptural and powerful work takes a close look at human relationships, individuality and the search for common ground. www.dance4.co.uk

Sacha Copland in Collaboration with eNGine Collective: Jam On A Tram (5 July 2014, 11am – 4pm) – routes across Nottinghamshire

For one day only, enjoy a tram ride with a difference, as members of Nottinghamshire's own eNGine Collective bring the journey to life through movement. Choreographed by New Zealand dance artist, Sacha Copland, expect high energy, physical comedy and outrageous scenarios as the Collective interact with one another and the many unsuspecting audience members. www.dance4.co.uk

Live Bolero (12 July 2014, 3pm) – Old Market Square FREE

Iconic spaces across Nottingham and the East Midlands will be brought to life with the incredible sounds and moves of Torvill & Dean's unforgettable choreography, from the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics. Working with professional dancers, hundreds of people from all walks of life are taking part by learning sections of the routine, and the chorography will be presented to the public, and will mark the spectacular finale to In Notts We Love Dance. www.dance4.co.uk