Carlos Acosta: A Classical Farewell
Carlos Acosta: A Classical Farewell

Since the inaugural festival in 2008, IDFB has made its mark as a signature festival for the City of Birmingham, bringing people together, widening horizons, providing new experiences and contributing to the local economy. Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB 2016 between 1st and 22nd May will enhance the festival’s reputation.

Once again, the finest international companies will grace the city’s stages, distinctive new festival productions will enliven Birmingham’s civic squares and streets, and there will be a wealth of opportunities for people to take part. From intimate to large scale, established venues to outdoor places and unusual spaces, IDFB 2016 will capture the imagination of local residents and attract visitors to the city.

NDT2
NDT2

In 2016, the award-winning biennial dance festival (UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance in 2014) boasts representatives from Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and USA.

The festival will present an impressive range of shows in traditional theatre spaces across the city, from ballet to neoclassical, contemporary to physical theatre, hip hop to flamenco and circus. There will also be plenty of free performances, helping to engage and enthral shoppers and passers-by, attracting diverse new audiences and creating a buzz on the city streets.

Dance: Sampled
Dance: Sampled

Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome’s chief executive and co-artistic director of IDFB said “It’s an exciting time to have moved to the city of Birmingham and Birmingham Hippodrome and I’m thrilled to be involved in my first International Dance Festival. Headlining performances at Birmingham Hippodrome include a mixed bill from Nederlands Dans Theater 2, Carlos Acosta’s classical farewell tour, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Dance: Sampled, Ballet British Columbia’s debut performance as part of IDFB. This stellar line-up, and more across the city, proves once again Birmingham attracts the very best in international dance to the city.”

Tickets are now on sale for the IDFB shows that are coming to Birmingham Hippodrome, which include Nederlands Dans Theater 2, Carlos Acosta, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Dance: Sampled and Ballet British Columbia the only UK date this year.

For further information on the festival go go www.idfb.co.uk