more london
Big Dance
5 - 10 July 2008
Big Dance in the Scoop at More London
Big Dance is a celebration of dance across London that will showcase the spectacular range of dance events that happen in the capital throughout the year!
The campaign run by the Mayor’s office will take place every two years in the lead up to the London Olympics; in 2008, 2010 and 2012, and is a chance to get the whole city moving. Big Dance aims to get as many people dancing as possible in the lead up to the event, throughout the week itself and also to encourage people to keep dancing all year round.
Six days of amazing Big Dance events will take place this year in the open-air amphitheatre; The Scoop at More London. With events ranging from youth dance performance, live music and even world record attempts; there is something here for everyone!
Programme
Saturday 5th July 2008 – London Youth Dance Day 2008
A carousel of open-air performances animating the area surrounding the Mayor's Office, this is an event not to be missed for performers and spectators alike. More than 40 dance companies will come together to produce a back-to- back programme of uplifting dance. Punctuated by performance demos by professional dance companies and rounded up by an impromptu performance surprise! (www.londondance.com)
Sunday 6th July 2008 –The Big Dance Drop
Impact dance present The Big Dance Drop; a day of non- stop street dance workshops and performances, led by some of the leading names in Street Dance including Kenrik H20 sandy (Boy Blue), Kate Prince (Zoonation) and Duwane ‘Sparxx’ Taylor (Impact). There will performances from Impact dance, ZooYouth and Ruthless. Running from 9am until 6pm, registration for classes will be on the day but for now...spread the word! (www.impactdance.co.uk)
Monday 7th July 2008 – A-Z of Dance
Southwark’s A-Z of dance is part of the national Big Dance initiative. It is a celebratory event, presenting the wealth and diversity of dance in Southwark with a non-stop programme of performances and workshops for all ages and abilities, featuring a wide range of companies and styles. (www.southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/Arts/Dance/)
Tuesday 8th July 2008 – Big Dance Rock Challenge Extravaganza
The Be Your Best Rock Challenge - an international performing arts competition for schools and colleges, with its ‘drug free high’ ethos, joins forces with the Big Dance Campaign to provide innovative performances and workshops on London’s Southbank. Open to everyone, this vibrant organisation and their work have to be seen to be believed. (www.rockchallenge.co.uk)
Wednesday 9th July 2008 – Salsa Day in association with Ola Latina
Kick off your office blues and come with us to South America for a special Salsa warm up demonstration and dance workshop in preparation for the evening’s excitement.
In the evening Ola Latina presents a Salsa demonstration by John Vasquez and Judy Aguilar from Cali in Columbia; the current salsa dance world champions as well as a free-for-all to the amazing full-on, unadulterated Latin heaven that is one of the top bands on the London Salsa scene: Conjunto Sabroso. (www.olalatina.co.uk)
Thursday 10th July 2008 – Calypso & Mento music and dance day with Sing it to the Rhythm
Antonio Susinni leads a dance workshop focusing on Calypso, Mento and other folk music from the USA and Caribbean – we know it’s only lunchtime, but that’s no reason not to get involved and shake your thang!
Leading on from the lunchtime workshop, Sunnie Dae presents an evening of rare plantation blues and Caribbean folk music. Try out your best Calypso moves to old favourites such as ‘Long Time Gal’ and ‘Jackass a Jump an’ Bray’. Bring the family for dancing and call and response singing. (www.singit.org.uk)