Summer in Suffolk
Summer time is the perfect time to dance, and this season Suffolk has plenty of reason to get dancing. With summer schools for the children, a dance festival for all and a two-night visit from some of the best dancers in the world, Suffolk’s in the spotlight and centre stage when it comes to the world of dance.
DanceEast, the national dance organisation, for the East of England, is bringing world-class dancers to Snape this summer as the internationally-acclaimed Akram Khan Company presents a new collaboration with the National Ballet of China, entitled bahok. With rave reviews since its premiere in Beijing earlier this year, bahok reunites choreographer Akram Khan with the multi-award winning composer Nitin Sawhney, to tell the story of travellers in an international departure lounge. bahok brings together Chinese, Korean, Indian, South African and Spanish performers and explore the ways in which the body carries a national identity and a sense of belonging. bahok is at Snape Maltings Concert Hall on 16 and 17 May – a rare chance to see some of the world’s finest ballet and contemporary dancers with a unique new piece by one of Britain’s most exciting choreographers.
Meanwhile over in Bury, the amazing Jonathan Lunn Dance Company merge together the art forms of film, theatre, literature and dance to bring us Reading Room, featuring world-famous actress Juliet Stevenson and a cast of elite dancers, with a specially choreographed section for the bdc (Bury’s own youth dance company). Reading Room is the story of interconnected lives and relationships, secrets and lies, and has already toured elsewhere in the UK to great reviews. Reading Room will be at the Theatre Royal in Bury on 14 May, one of the highlights of this year’s Bury Festival.
Inspired by such international stars, there’s more on the menu for our own young dancers close to home. DanceEast has a fantastic reputation for running fabulous summer schools for all ages, and yet again they have collected a county-wide timetable for fun holiday activities. Last year, the Stomp! Inspired summer school sessions electrified young dancers across the county. This year it’s the turn of African beats and rhythm as dance artist Godiva Apedo brings an exciting programme based on her own experience as one of the original cast in the hit West End show, the Lion King. With an international dance career behind her, Godiva brings the exotic jungle beat to Suffolk for week-long workshops in Ipswich, stretching youngsters creative and expressive talents - and a fun way to keep fit thrown in. Working with a live musician, the Ipswich workshops will include sessions to learn African drumming and tribal songs to create a performance piece to share with family and friends at the end of the week. The Ipswich Summer Schools are at Northgate Arts Centre from August 4, with two groups - 7 to 11 years and 12-16 years. DanceEast summer schools are also taking place in Haverhill for 6-9 year olds (31 July- 1 Aug) and for 10-14 year olds (4 -6 Aug), Needham Market for 7-11 year olds (28-30 July), Stowmarket for 9-13 year olds (28-30 July) and Felixstowe for 9-13 year olds (5-7 Aug). There’s a discount for early booking and for children from the same family.
Also as part of the great Game On Project, DanceEast will be leading free Street Dance courses at sports centres throughout Ipswich during the school holidays. There will be hour-long dance sessions every week with a performance at the end of each four week course. The classes are divided into age groups, ranging from 5 to 18 years so there’s something for almost everyone this summer.
By far the biggest dance event of the season, however, will be Big Dance Goes East on Saturday 5 July in Ipswich, from midday to midnight. This will be the East of England’s part of Big Dance – a national event to celebrate dance across the country. Forming part of the eclectic Ip-Art Festival, Big Dance Goes East will offer drop in classes in Ipswich Town Hall on the Corn Hill all afternoon. Passers-by will be able to try out everything from ballet to tap, ballroom to hip hop. Then in the evening top international dancemaker Hofesh Shechter will bring an all-male dance performance to the Corn Exchange, and regional dance artist and choreographer Isobel Cohen will present a new work by Ipswich Youth dance company JS. There will also be a celebration of world dance with demonstrations of everything from Salsa to Chinese to Indian to African dance. The whole night will culminate, finally, in a World Music Party in the Grand Hall, giving everyone a chance to dance and really get into the spirit of summer!
DanceEast has classes, workshops and short courses for all ages and all abilities, plus an exciting series of performances from international dance artists throughout the year. For more information see the DanceEast website www.danceeast.co.uk
- Tue 11 Mar