The ZoieLogic Dance Theatre will be presenting RIDE during the International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 (Photograph: Dani Bower)
The return of the fifth award-winning biennial International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) will see venues, streets and squares across the city and beyond welcome one of the world’s biggest celebrations of dance.
The International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 runs from the 1st – 22nd May, and features world premieres and new commissions over three amazing weeks.
The final programme has now been published including intimate and large scale performances taking place on established stages as well as unusual and outdoor spaces. With a range of styles from contemporary, classical, hip hop, and flamenco, to a special three day South Asian focused programme, IDFB 2016 promises to get Birmingham dancing again!
In an exciting new development for the festival, Centenary Square Live Nights will feature the world première of The Machine Show, a free outdoor spectacular, with French dancer and choreographer Melanie Lomoff. and fellow French hip-hop sensation Salah, headlined with live music by cult band rinôçérôse. Famed for their fusion of rock and electronic dance music, their new album Fighting the Machine is out in May.
Live Nights also features two new IDFB commissions by New Zealand’s Corey Baker Dance and the UK’s ZoieLogic Dance; as part of a dynamic line-up of free entertainment throughout each evening, accompanied by food and drink from the award-winning Digbeth Dining Club – creating a busy festival vibe and helping to drive the night time economy.
A new IDFB 2016 Festival Hub will pop up in Birmingham’s iconic Municipal Bank, with a café, a stunning exhibition of Cosmic Birds by Japanese kinetic Sculptor Shun Ito, and a programme of talks and workshops.
The Machine Show will be held in Birmingham’s Centenary Square during IDFB 2016
At the large scale, Festival partner Birmingham Hippodrome leads the IDFB 2016 theatre programme with outstanding performances from some of today’s leading international names. Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta brings his fascinating and acclaimed career to a close with his Classical Farewell; Canadian Ballet BC present works by three of the finest female choreographers; Nederlands Dans Theater 2 features a hugely exciting company of outstanding 18-23 year old dancers; and Cloudgate Dance Theatre of Taiwan return to cover the Hippodrome stage with 3 tons of rice for a mesmerising show.
Dance: Sampled, a taster selection of dance styles in one night, includes local acts in the foyers before live performances of contemporary (Wayne McGregor), ballet (Birmingham Royal Ballet), kathak (Birmingham’s Vidya Patel), tango and hip hop.
A key focus of the smaller scale IDFB theatre programme is work from Eastern Europe and South Asia (Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam), much of which is based in The Patrick Centre which will host Correction from VerTeDance, Jirí Havelka and Clarinet Factory of the Czech Republic, plus a world premiere of Eclipse from Hungarian Csaba Molnár.
It also stages the UK premiere of Monchichi from Company Wang Ramirez, who recently worked with Madonna on her Rebel Heart tour and were photographed by Paul Smith for L’Equipe Sport and Style, and a premiere from Swiss production Compagnie Philippe Saire which will offer a new perspective on watching dance.
The South Asian programme includes UK premieres from Indian companies Sujata & Preetisha Mohapatra & Shijith Nambiar/Parvathy Menon at Brindley Place’s Crescent Theatre.
Corey Baker Dance presents ‘Phone Box’ across Birmingham’s city centre during IDFB 2016 (Photograph: Dani Bower)
David Massingham, DanceXchange’s Artistic Director and co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2016 said:
“IDFB returns in 2016 with dance for all. If you’re new to dance or familiar with the dance artists and companies in our thrilling line-up, the 2016 festival promises to wow city residents and visitors to the West Midlands and we are excited to announce the final programme. IDFB 2016 promises to engage people of all backgrounds in our international city as Birmingham continues to make its mark culturally and moves further into the 21st Century.”
Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive, and co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2016 added:
“Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the UK’s best dance stages – a natural magnet for some of the most sought-after and talked-about international companies, choreographers and dancers. For years we’ve invested in substantial international work with partners of all scales and we’re determined to make everyone feel welcome both on stage and in the auditorium. Expanding our wider community links is hugely important so Dance: Sampled in particular will be a perfect blend of the very best dance from around the corner and around the world. Do something different, see something new this Festival.”
Ballet BC’s unique company of 17 dancers will be performing at the Birmingham Hippodrome during IDFB 2016
IDFB 2016 is funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council. The Festival is produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome. IDFB would like to thank our festival venues Birmingham Hippodrome, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Crescent and Warwick Arts Centre.
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IDFB 2016, the International Dance Festival Birmingham, runs from 1st – 22nd May. The full festival programme can be found at www.idfb.co.uk
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