Dance City is back with a series of events this August to engage the North East dance community, as the North East’s leading development organisation for dance emerges from the coronavirus lockdown.
Throughout August there will be socially distanced community engagement programmes, digital dance classes, and a virtual performance from Dance City’s first cohort of postgraduate students. All of this is ahead of a phased return of dance classes in Newcastle from September 7th.
- Digital Dance Classes – throughout August a daily programme of online dance classes is available for people of all ages to join via Zoom from their own home. The classes are free or pay what you feel and styles include Contemporary, Latin and fun mix ups for all ages. Book here.
- Summer Dance School in Boldon – A summer of fun will be on offer in Boldon as a summer school every Monday in August creates an exciting opportunity for the young people of staff at Nuby to access creative dance classes at their parents place of work. Taking place in a large indoor and outdoor space, socially distanced fun creative activities will take place for 7-8 young people at a time, aged between 7 and 14 years old.
- Dancing in the Streets in Newcastle – Teaming up with Street Games, Dance City will be delivering an hour of dance activity on up to 20 different city streets throughout August to support some of the most disadvantaged areas of the region, helping to ensure that people in the North East have the same or even better cultural opportunities as the rest of the country.
- Summer Moves at Dance City – From Mon 24th – Fri 28th August young people will be able to dance their way through the afternoons at Dance City in carefully created sessions which abide by social distancing but offer the opportunity to learn, have fun, create and share. Book here.
- Digital Premiere, The Solo Creative on 27th August – Dance City’s postgraduate company The Collective had been set to embark on a national tour showcasing a double-bill of works but in the wake of coronavirus and its impact on the safety of live performance the company have come together to redevelop a new work in response to this new environment. The Solo Collective is a new digital dance performance, fusing a collection of socially distanced solos by each company member, exploring themes of identity, society and media within the unprecedented circumstances we now live. Book to watch the premiere here.
Anand Bhatt took over as Dance City’s new Artistic Director and CEO just last month. Anand is looking forward to leading Dance City, as it emerges from the challenges of coronavirus.
During the pandemic some staff had been furloughed after the buildings closed in March. However online dance training has been available to support current students, and a number virtual auditions have taken place to assist next year’s intake of students on the degree and MA courses as well as the Centre for Advanced Training.
Anand Bhatt, CEO Dance City said:
“Dance is a creative, fun, social and physical activity that is great for keeping fit and active, as well as boosting well-being and self-confidence so it’s great to see Dance City emerging from lockdown being able to once again engage with the local community.
“Our postgraduate students should have been touring nationally but instead their creativity will be premiered digitally, and I can’t wait for people to see the incredible work they have produced in challenging circumstances.
“The everyday changes we face with this pandemic are unprecedented but I’m confident that the talented team at Dance City can continue to make a difference to lives of people in the North East, and contribute to the regional economy, whilst adhering to the social distancing guidelines that we are all leaning to live with, in order to keep our community safe.“
Dance City is the North East’s leading development organisation for dance and the biggest dance employer in the north of England. Established for over 30 years Dance City exists to lead and support a thriving dance ecology in the region.
In anticipation of opening it’s doors, Dance City has published an extensive Risk Assessment of its Newcastle building as well as a a thorough ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page which is full of useful information on everything from attending a socially distanced class to booking online. These will be updates continuously in response to changing Government guidance. Both can be accessed below:
