PRESS RELEASE

Dance: Sampled to bring best of international and local dance to Birmingham Hippodrome in March 2017

Following the success of Dance: Sampled last year, Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted to once again be opening its doors to the best in local and international dance talent from 3-4 March 2017.

Originally pioneered by London dance house Sadler’s Wells, Dance: Sampled is a unique event in which audiences are invited to ‘sample’ a diverse range of dance styles including Latin, Ballet, Kathak, Hip-Hop and contemporary, all in one evening, under one roof.

This year’s Dance: Sampled programme will feature taster programmes from contemporary dance artists the Aakash Odedra Company, Acosta Danza and Richard Alston Dance Company. Audiences can also look forward to a performance by BBC Young Dancer of the Year Connor Scott, tango from Julia Urruty & Claudio González, ballet from Birmingham Royal Ballet and Hip-Hop from experimental dance company Iron Skulls Co.

The evening programme will be accompanied by a series of free pre-show foyer activities, films and introductory taster-sessions taking place from 6.30pm in the Foyer spaces. This will be accompanied by pop-up performances (on our Upfront Stage) showcasing the best in local youth dance talent.

On Sat 4 March, audiences are invited to don their dancing shoes to take part in a selection of free workshops lead by experienced dance companies based throughout the Midlands.  Workshops this year include Dandiya Raas with Jpatel Dance, an exploration of the Gujurati folk dance involving sticks which create rhythmical patterns when hit, and an introduction to Romeo and Juliet with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Birmingham-based Hip-Hop outfit, Break Mission will be on hand to provide a masterclass in rocking, popping and breaking, with the opportunity for visitors to try their hand at beat-boxing. Completing the 2017 workshop line-up are Cut The Mustard Ceilidh Band, who will walk audiences through the steps to three traditional Irish dances. Perfect for anyone with two left feet and suitable for ages 5-95!

Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said: ‘We had so much fantastic feedback from our first Sampled in 2016, we’ve been busy fundraising for another weekend- this time with a whole host of new local and international performers.   The ticket price of just £15 (and less for children!) for a full length show, featuring dancers from Argentina, Cuba, Barcelona and the UK , must be the best value Hippodrome show of the year.  And to complement that, a range of free workshops and performances pre-show Friday and all afternoon Saturday, will make this a real family-friendly , two day taster event not to be missed.”

Dance Sampled is part of The Movement, a dance producing partnership between Birmingham Hippodrome, The Lowry and Sadler’s Wells. Supported by Arts Council England, The Movement aims to nurture talent and bring large scale dance productions to even wider audiences.

“The message was clear: dance is cool”

The Times

Dance Sampled runs from Fri 3 – Sat 4 Mar at 8pm. Tickets to Dance Sampled cost £15*. To book, call our Ticket Sales hotline on 0844 338 5000 or visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com