Press Office
All press releases can be downloaded from the section on the left, with the most recent at the top.
For further information, high resolution images, or to arrange interviews and press visits, please contact Press Manager Emily Malcolm on +44 (0)121 689 1082.
For national and international media, contact Rewired PR’s Tara Tomes on +44 (0) 121 236 2132.
RECENT NEWS
Press Release
For release Monday 22 February
International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) – Inspired to be part of London 2012
The Engagement Programme that forms part of the second International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) has recently been granted the Inspire Mark – the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme.
The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The IDFB Engagement Programme is made up of three IDFB strands, stimulated by the Olympiad values of welcoming the world, inspiring and involving young people, and leaving a positive legacy. Through celebrating international excellence and opening a window on new worlds, the Engagement Programme aims to connect people with dance, motivate people to take part, raise aspirations and inspire local pride.
The first of the three strands, the Outspoken season of new performances from Arab artists, will celebrate some of the most exciting contemporary dance from countries such as Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Tunisia. A supporting programme of debates, post-show talks and film screenings will delve deeper into some of the issues surrounding the works.
Offering audiences a rare insight into the rich and varied dance scenes of North Africa and the Middle East, Outspoken is the first season of its kind in the UK; most pieces have never been seen before in this country.
The second strand is the Family Weekend – a series of performances and workshops specifically aimed at young children and their families. This weekend aims to engage and involve children in a captivating new world of dance and movement, providing positive experiences of dance and inspiring a new generation of dancers and audiences.
The third strand is Dancing the Waterways, a unique collaboration which will take dance into the heart of West Midlands communities via the region’s canals. For three weeks during the Festival, four dancers will travel on a canal barge, giving free performances and delivering dance workshops and creative residencies to school and community groups along the way. The young people taking part will be encouraged to give their feedback on Festival performances and to blog about their experiences of the project.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – three years out from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in IDFB’s Engagement Programme for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”
Paul Kaynes, West Midlands Creative Programmer said: “It is fantastic that so many elements of International Dance Festival Birmingham’s programme engage with young, new and diverse audiences and have been awarded the Inspire Mark which recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012, and in particular our People Dancing programme, we are working in partnership with IDFB to ensure we maximise the opportunities to involve people in extraordinary dance
events across the region.”
Produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB 2010 will see over 70 performances from some of the world’s most outstanding companies and choreographers take place across Birmingham and the West Midlands. In addition to this, IDFB 2010 will host a number of free public participation events, enabling everyone to get involved.
The Festival will showcase over 25 companies from six continents, presenting a spectacular range of dance styles from ballet, ballroom and break-dancing to flamenco, contemporary and circus. It is one of the world’s largest dance festivals and is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands, and Birmingham City Council.
For more information on IDFB 2010 and the line-up, visit www.idfb.co.uk.
ENDS
For all press enquiries, please contact:
Emily Malcolm, Press Manager for IDFB
0121 689 1082
Listings
Dancing the Waterways
Monday 19 April – Saturday 8 May
As performances in Birmingham’s top cultural venues come and go through the four weeks of the festival, IDFB will also be taking dance to the West Midlands waterways, as four dance artists travel part of the region’s canal network performing a newly commissioned site-specific piece on and off a barge.
At selected locations on the line towards Norbury Junction and Penkridge, the barge will stop as the dancers perform and deliver workshops in schools and community settings. Exact locations are still to be confirmed, but anyone interested in getting involved in the project should contact DanceXchange or check the website for more details. Contact us at idfb@dancexchange.org.uk call 0121 689 1095 or visit www.idfb.co.uk
Free of charge
Age guidance: All ages
Outspoken – New Performance from Arab Artists curated by Eckhard Thiemann
Thursday 29 April – Sunday 2 May
The Patrick Centre & Ikon Eastside
There is a new generation of dancers and choreographers in North Africa and the Middle East creating audacious dance theatre. Be surprised, moved and engaged at the UK’s first performance season dedicated to new choreography from Arab artists, presented as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010.
A supporting programme of debates, post-show talks and film screenings will delve deeper into some of the issues surrounding the works.
Outspoken is the first season of its kind in the UK and most pieces have never been seen before in this country, enabling people here to experience stimulating international work that would otherwise be out of reach.
Tickets: £5-£10 per show, or £30 for a weekend pass.
Booking: Call 0844 338 5000 or visit www.idfb.co.uk to buy online. Please note transaction charges may apply. Tickets for performances at Ikon Eastside are not available online – please check website for details.
Age guidance: 14+
Family Weekend
Friday 7 – Sunday 9 May
The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome
An entire weekend of performances and workshops for children and their families to explore the world of dance and movement.
Please check www.idfb.co.uk for more details or request a family weekend leaflet by calling 0121 689 1095 or e-mailing idfb@dancexchange.org.uk.
Tickets: £6 / £4 children under 16 per show.
Workshops: £3 per child, accompanying adult free (limited to 1 adult per child)
Booking: Call 0844 338 5000 or visit www.idfb.co.uk to buy online. Please note transaction charges may apply.
Special offer: book a workshop and performance at the same time and get 15% off!
Age guidance: 5-95!
Notes to Editors
- IDFB 2010 is produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
- DanceXchange (dx) is a powerhouse of dance with excellence, innovation, education and inclusion at its heart – and, together with Birmingham Hippodrome and Birmingham Royal Ballet, is part of the largest dance partnership in Britain. dx takes the best British dance to a worldwide stage, and brings outstanding talent from across the world to Birmingham. dx also engages people from all backgrounds in healthy dance activity, and
nurtures gifted young people to help shape the dance artists of the future.
- Birmingham Hippodrome is the busiest single theatre in the UK, welcoming c500,000 paying visitors every year. It is unique in being the home of a classical ballet company, Birmingham Royal Ballet and a national dance development agency, DanceXchange. Birmingham Hippodrome sells more seats for dance than any other theatre outside London.
- IDFB 2010 is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands and Birmingham City Council. The corporate sponsor for the 2010 festival is Brewin Dolphin.
- The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.
- IDFB 2010 is working in partnership with the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012, along with a range of other exciting programmes including People Dancing, to celebrate and engage people with the region’s world-class cultural offer. www.wmfor2012.com
- Advantage West Midlands is the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands region – one of nine RDAs in England established to transform English regions through sustainable economic development. Advantage West Midlands takes the lead role in setting the strategy and focus for regional economic improvement; building the partnerships needed to achieve the region’s vision; and ensuring that public money
is targeted to those activities and projects best placed to make a real difference.
- Additional partners for the festival include media partner BBC WM and accommodations partner Crowne Plaza Birmingham.
- Venues hosting IDFB 2010 include Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Patrick Centre, Town Hall Birmingham and Ikon Eastside, as well as a number of specialist and outdoor spaces.
- IDFB first took place in 2008 and generated almost 25,000 audience and participatory experiences.
- World Dance Day takes place during the festival on 29 April 2010.