Fans of dance in all its various forms should head down to Theatre Square, outside the National Theatre, on 21-25 August for a long weekend celebrating dance from all corners of the world.
Held in honour of the Olympic flame being handed over to London, the National’s Olympic Dance Weekend features live performances of everything from tango to lindy hop, street dance to tea dance, with the opportunity to learn a move or two yourself from the experts. All performances and classes are free to attend and do not require a ticket.
The UK’s Company Fierce kicks off the weekend at 18:15 on 21 August with a demonstration of the skill of street dance performed on a giant ghetto-blaster that acts as both stage and sound system. Friday evening’s events comprise a lindy hop dance class with the Liam Grundy Band and a late-night audiovisual club night with Addictive TV. Saturday sees a diverse line-up of dance styles including salsa with La Cuba Ritmo, Maori dance with Manaia, Argentine tango with Del Plata and the chance to dance like Fred and Ginger in an evening of ballroom. Tea dancing and African dance form the basis of Sunday’s activities, while Monday afternoon is taking up with Japanese dance from Haru Ichiban and a taste of Bollywood with Kuljit Bhamra’s Taala and the Bollywood Dreams Dancers.
The Olympic Dance Weekend forms part of Watch This Space, the National’s annual outdoor summer festival held on Theatre Square, which this year runs until 28 September. For more information on all events in Watch This Space and for specific timings for performances and classes during the dance weekend, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts
CB