This summer, we are excited to share the joy of dance with you at the Jerwood DanceHouse and beyond. We hope you can join us to watch an inspiring performance, take part in a class or boogie with us at a local festival. It’s also the perfect opportunity to introduce someone new to dance, so bring a friend or family member along to one of our activities, we’d love to meet you!
This June, we are looking forward to dancing on the beach once again, as we return to First Light Festival in Lowestoft. This free festival celebrates midsummer on Lowestoft’s South Beach on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June. DanceEast have programmed the MoonDance tent on the beach. Get your feet a stomping with Dance In Line – Line Dancing with a modern twist, join Glass House Dance for a Dance Along Mary Poppins Workshop, or get dancing with your little one at Baby Loves to Boogie, plus much more! You can explore the full schedule here.
If you happen to be in London that same weekend, don’t miss the chance to catch the DanceEast CAT graduates’ performance on the National Theatre’s River Stage. The students have been working with James Cousins Company to re-create the company’s internationally acclaimed work ROSALIND. Inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most headstrong heroines, Cousins takes her passion and eloquence beyond words in this electric piece, featuring poetry from Sabrina Mahfouz. You can explore the full weekend line up hosted by James Cousins Company here. Whilst you’re there, why not go and see DanceEast Associate Artist’s Sarah and Yukiko (who are SAY) perform The Album, as they bring the infectious energy of music gigs to the Southbank this summer!
Saturday 8 July is one for your diaries, as the Jerwood DanceHouse will be a joyful hive of activity, with the DanceEast Youth Festival and National Youth Dance Company’s (NYDC) show taking place! The DanceEast Youth Festival, formerly known as the DanceEast Youth Takeover, is hosting its second ever creative day for young people led by young people. This is a platform to showcase their creativity and talent, foster a sense of community amongst young people, and bring together individuals who share a common interest in the arts. Follow the DanceEast Youth Festival Team on Instagram @d.e_youthfestival for more line up updates and find out more about the day here.
It is great to welcome back National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) to the building, as they perform their latest show, Novacene, choreographed by Wayne McGregor CBE! For this special anniversary year, guest artistic director Wayne McGregor CBE has created a brand-new work for the company, highlighting the power and creativity of young people from all dance styles and backgrounds. If you’re interested in joining NYDC, on the Saturday afternoon they will be running an experience workshop, which is also a first stage audition for anyone who wants to become a company member. Find out more about the workshop here.
We are excited to return to the idyllic surroundings of Henham Park for Latitude festival. Discover the fantastic line up of performances happening on the the Waterfront Stage, from companies including Fatt Projects, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Avant Garde Dance, New Adventures, Joss Arnott Company and JV2. Discover the full line up here.
We are also returning to Primadonna festival at the Food Museum in Stowmarket on Saturday 29 July, a great festival for all the family. Glass House Dance bring their Dance-Along May Poppins performance to the festival. Alongside some fun dance to get involved in, there will be round tables and interviews, live music, comedy, food, and drink. Oh, and did we mention JB GILL (formerly of JLS) will be speaking!
And finally, to wrap up July, we’ve got a sold-out CAT End of Year show happening here at the Jerwood DanceHouse. Students aged from 11 – 18 will perform a mixed bill of original works commissioned by leading national and international choreographers – including Avant Garde Dance Company, Far From the Norm, Flexer & Sandiland, James Cousins Company, SAY, Stopgap Dance Company, and Vanhulle Dance Theatre.
Our summer dance classes run until early July, and there is still time for you to join! Our weekly class programme is for all ages and abilities, including ballet, contemporary, yoga and after school dance clubs. Discover our full range of classes here.
