Jan McNulty

Hello Siana, sadly I am a ballet watcher rather than a doer so have no experience of dance schools in Liverpool. Elsewhere in the thread KNT is mentioned and think I have read elsewhere on this Forum that they also hold classes in Liverpool. Good luck to your daughter! (I adore Durham BTW!!!)

Links - Friday 18 March, 2016 Review - San Francisco Ballet, Dances at a Gathering, Swimmer, San Francisco: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Review - Paul Taylor’s Modern American Dance, Mercuric Tidings, Dilly Dilly, Esplanade, New York: Christine Landolfi, Broadway World Q&A - Polina Semionova & Leonid Sarafanov (Mikhailovsky Ballet): Natasha Rogai, South China Morning Post Feature - Brendan Saye, National Ballet of Canada, dances Romeo on his recovery from Lyme’s Disease: Michael Crabb, Tooronto Star Feature - Lunkina & McKie (NBoC) look forward to Romeo and Juliet (Ratmansky) debuts: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review - Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Cafe Muller, Rite of Spring, Wellington: Ann Hunt, Dominion Post Review - Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Nelken, Adelaide: Gracia Haby, Fjord Review Review - Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker, Golden Hours, London: Rachel Elderkin, Fjord Review Review - Bartabas & Andrés Marín, Golgota, London: Rachel Elderkin, Fjord Review Review - Northern Ballet, Swan Lake, Leeds: Susan Darlington, Morning Star Review - Royal New Zealand Ballet, Selon Desir, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Cacti, Dunedin: Hannah Molloy, NZ Theatreview Reviews - Black Grace & T.H.E. Company, Change and Constancy, Another letter from the Earth, Auckland: Corazon Miller, NZ Herald Raewyn Whyte, NZ Theatreview Review - Rebecca Lazier & Dan Truman, There Might Be Others, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Interview - Aletta Collins: Neil Norman, Stage Review - HUANG YI & KUKA, Sydney: Jill Sykes, Brisbane Times

Links - Thursday 17 March, 2016 Reviews - Paul Parish, Bay Area Reporter San Francisco Ballet, Coppelia, San Francisco Mark Morris Dance Group, L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed Il Moderato, Berkeley: Review - Paul Taylor’s Modern American Dance, Mercuric Tidings, Dilly Dilly, Esplanade, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Review - Akram Khan, Toro, Los Angeles: Laura Bleiberg, LA Times Reviews - London: Ismene Brown, Spectator Akram Khan Company, Kaash Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker, Golden Hours Reviews - Bartabas & Andrés Marín, Golgota, London: Clement Crisp, FT Sarah Kent, London Dance Review - Eifman Ballet, Rodin, Madrid: Alexandra Villarreal, Huffington Post Review - Marc Brew Company, For Now, I am…, London: Graham Watts, DanceTabs News - Rambert launches new choreography fellowship: Carmel Smith, London Dance Feature - Dominique Mercy, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: Sara Catherall, Dominion Post Review - Northern Ballet, Swan Lake, Sheffield: Beverley Haigh, Reviews Hub Review - Royal New Zealand Ballet, Selon Desir, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Cacti, Dunedin: Penny Nelson, Otago Daily Times Review - Hong Kong Ballet, Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own, Castrati, In Light and Shadow, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Review - Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, Ride the Culture Loop, Steps of Silence, Kurt Weill, New York: Joel Benjamin, Theater Scene Preview - Miami City Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Miami: Artburst Miami, Miami New Times Preview - Atlanta Ballet, 20/20, Atlanta: Scott Freeman, Arts Atlanta Preview - Orlando Ballet, Don Quixote, Orlando: Matthew J Palm, Orlando Sentinel DVD Review - Royal Ballet - Fonteyn & Nureyev, Romeo and Juliet: Graham Watts, London Dance Feature/preview - Ballet Jorgen, Sleeping Beauty, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review - HUANG YI & KUKA, Sydney: Deborah Jones, Blog Feature/preview - Cincinnati Ballet and BalletMet Columbus collaborate on triple bill: Kathy Valin, Cincinnai City Beat Feature/preview - Mariko Kondo, Alberta Ballet on preparing for Juliet: Salena Kitteringham, Edmonton Journal Feature - Michael Flatley: Judith Woods, Telegraph Feature - Nando Messias: Nancy Groves, Guardian Preview - Texture Contemporary Ballet, Reflections, Pittsburgh: Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Very good advice Quintus. I was surprised, a couple of months ago, to receive a larger than usual bill from Virgin Media. When I queried it, it transpired that a "loyalty discount" had run out. The very helpful young man did a bit of jiggery pokery to get me a better deal and then told me to remember to contact them at the same time next year to renegotiate again. He said people should do this annually.

Oh yes! I remember that one Taxi!

Hello Goz and welcome to the Forum!

Sorry Bruce, we noticed he has gone from the website but have no further information. He has an enormous talent that was blossoming as he was given the leading roles in Wuthering Heights, 1984 and other works. He is a loss to Northern Ballet.

I was lucky to see both performances in Leeds on Saturday. Nicola has described the matinee performance and I would just add that I was swept away by the performance. My body reacted involuntarily at the end and I found myself leaping to my feet! Toby and Martha are a wonderful partnership and I always have a feeling that all is well with the world when I see them on stage together. Nicola Gervasi is another dancer I love to watch - he has got very beautiful feet and is a lovely actor/dancer and there was great chemistry between him and Toby and Abby Prudames who was gorgeous as Odilia. It was another performance to savour. In the evening I finally got to see the cast led by Jeremy Curnier as Antony with Ashley Dixon as Simon, Antoinette Brooks-Daw as Odette and Ayami Miyata as Odilia. Goodness me, the tension on the stage was electric and the inter-action between all the leads was utterly compelling. In the denouement between Antony, Simon and Odilia I quite forgot to breathe! Antoinette was totally sublime as Odette and Ayami was a total delight as Odilia. Jeremy and Ashley's duets were just sensational! Northern Ballet has had some injury problems amongst the ladies and I must single out Ayami Miyata for especial praise. Looking back over the publicised casts she performed either Odette or Odilia in 8 out of 11 performances. What an achievement for a young lady thrown in at the deep end! I really do love this production of Swan Lake and I am looking forward to more in Sheffield on Saturday!

Links - Wednesday 16 March, 2016 Review - Paris Opera & Paris Opera Ballet, Iolanta, The Nutcracker, Paris: Laura Cappelle, FT Review - National Ballet of Canada, Four Temperaments, Rubies, Cacti, Toronto: Penelope Ford, Fjord Review Review - Ballet Semperoper Dresden, COW, Dresden: Sarah Batschelet, Bachtrack Reviews - Bartabas & Andrés Marín, Golgota, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Zoe Anderson, Independent Mark Monahan, Telegraph Lyndsey Winship, Standard Howard Loxton, British Theatre Guide Rachel Elderkin, Stage Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review - Mikhail Baryshnikov, Brodsky/Baryshnikov, New York: Robert Greskovic, Wall Street Journal Preview - Pacific Northwest Ballet, Year of the Rabbit, Seattle: Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times Review - Farruquito, Improvisao, New York: Marianne Adams, Danceview Times Review - Abraham.In.Motion, The Quiet Dance, Absent Matter, The Gettin, Portland: Nim Wunnan, Oregon Arts Watch Feature - Vidya Patel on dancing for Richard Alston: Vidya Patel, London Dance Feature - How Chita Rivera keeps dancing at 83: Sarah L Kaufman, Washington Post Review - Texas Ballet Theatre, Cinderella, Richardson: Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News Featurette - Matthew Powell, My first audition: John Byrne, Stage Preview - Festival Ballet Theatre, Sleeping Beauty, Irvine: Kaitlin Wright, Orange County Register Inspirational Corner - Ballerina receives pointe foot prosthesis: Janet Tappin Coelho, Independent

Hello Angeldancewear and welcome to the Forum. In accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy could I please ask you to add a signature to your profile? Commerce There is no bar to people representing commercial ventures from signing up to BalletcoForum with a view to spreading information about their wares or offering relevant services. That said, we are not an advertising hoarding and repeated postings of the same or similar information will not be tolerated, nor frivolous posts which merely seem designed to get the company name ‘up there’. Nor will we allow vendors to use BalletcoForum as their shopfront: if you have a selling business you should use your own website for trade and market testing, not this one. Members who have commercial interests must indicate that by adding a Signature line to their postings, stating the name and type of their business and giving their website and/or business email address for enquiries. (You set up a Signature via My Settings in the dropdown menu under your name.) If members wish to contact businesses, associate schemes or other commercial enterprises this should be done via the vendor’s website or email, not by starting threads on the forum. Problems arising over transactions entered into between members are not the responsibility of BalletcoForum.

There was already a thread on Move It 2016 so I have merged the two threads together.

I have no knowledge of the workings of vocational schools other than what I have read on this site but my feeling is that students are not being set up to fail. From reading this board, any student selected for a vocational school has made a major achievement which should be celebrated. But children change over time and we cannot get away from that.

I think Tabitha has given a reasonable, if not welcome, explanation. Children change such a lot as they are growing up. Apart from that, it would be interesting to know how many (if any) did not want to carry on, or wanted to carry on elsewhere for whatever reason.

I've come across this inspirational story while starting my cull of the links for tomorrow: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/ballerina-receives-pointe-foot-prosthesis-allowing-her-to-dance-again-for-first-time-in-13-years-a6932791.html

The selfie stick hand sounds a wonderful idea Quintus!

Could you buy them over the phone and ask the Box Office to hold them for you?

Links - Tuesday 15 March, 2016 Review - San Francisco Ballet, Coppelia, San Francisco: Rita Felciano, Danceview Times Review - Royal Danish Ballet, Romeo and Juliet, Copenhagen: Michelle Potter, Blog Reviews - Australian Ballet, Forgotten Land, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, DGV, Melbourne: Deborah Jones, Blog Jana Perkovic, Guardian Melinda Oliver, Daily Review Review - Mark Morris Dance Group, L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed Il Moderato, Berkeley: Rita Felciano, Danceview Times Review - Rambert, Hydrargyrum, The Three Dancers, Terra Incognita, Woking: Bruce Marriott, DanceTabs Review Bill T Jones, Analogy/Dora:Tramontaine, San Francisco: Janice Berman, SF Classical Voice Review - Houston Ballet, Dyad 1929, Wings of Wax, West Side Story Suite, Houston: Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle Review - Camille Boitel, L’Immédiat, New York: Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Review - Compagnie Hervé Kombi, Ce que le jour doit à la nuit, Boston: Marcia B Siegel, Arts Fuse Reviews - Mikhail Baryshnikov, Brodsky/Baryshnikov, New York: Robert Gottlieb, NY Observer Max McGuiness, FT Preview - Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Baush require soil of perfect consistency, Wellington: Laura Dooney, Dominion Post Review - Joffrey Ballet, mixed programme, Palm Beach: Demetrius Klein, Palm Beach Daily News Review - Compania Manuel Liñán, Nómada, New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review - Richmond Ballet ll, The Friar’s Tale, Stolen Moments Excerpt, Rachmaninoff Rhapsody, Fairfax: George Jackson, Danceview Times Review - Lydia Johnson Dance, mixed programme, New York: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review - Chunky Move, The Complexity of Belonging, Wellington: Ann Hunt, Dominion Post Review - Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Dracula, Minneapolis: Jilly Schaffer, Broadway World Feature - Montreal Dancers show a ‘different perspective’ on love and intimacy: Robert Everett Green, Toronto Globe and Mail Review - Duda Paiva Company, Blind, Southbank: Anne-Marie Peard, Brisbane Times Conversation - Barack Obama and Misty Copeland: Time Book Feature - Balancing Acts, meet the prima ballerinas who became mothers: Rachel Lowry, Time

Season of dynamic new dance at Leeds’ Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre at Northern Ballet has launched a new season of dance for spring 2016.Highlights of the season will include appearances by JV2 and John Ross Dance, both performing in Leeds for the first time. On 19 April JV2 present JV2 2016, a triple bill as part of their 2016 national spring tour. Formed by Artistic Director Jasmin Vardimon, JV2 is a hand-picked ensemble of 16 young, talented international dancers. This year JV2 will present a programme of new and established work to develop, encourage and cultivate both young talent and young audiences. The triple bill features Jasmin Vardimon’s work (in between), first created for the National Youth Dance Company, which echoes the relationship between humans and the natural environment. It also includes new works by AΦE, an Ashford-based dance company founded by Esteban Fourmi and Aoi Nakamura, and Vinicius Salles. For one night only, John Ross Dance presents Blink on 4 May, bringing to Leeds work by the 2013 New Adventures Choreographer Award winner John Ross, also named as one of the BBC Performing Arts Fund’s 32 Ones to Watch for 2015. Blink is a dance-theatre interpretation of American author Mitch Albom’s best-selling novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Eddie, a bitter old man, dies trying to save a little girl, and so begins a series of encounters with five important people from instrumental periods in his life. Set to the beautifully haunting music of composer Greg Haines, Blink stages Ross’ signature trademark of emotive and physically compelling storytelling. Also at the theatre, Phoenix Dance Theatre will celebrate youth dance from across the region with their annual Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform, and Ballet Central will present a sparkling programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. In July, National Youth Dance Company will return to Leeds with In-Nocentes, a new work by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan, and Leeds-based dance and musical theatre college Renaissance Arts will celebrate their fifth anniversary with performances by the current full-time students. In addition, the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre will open its doors for a day of insight into the relationship between dancer and choreographer on 17 June for Tell Tale Steps, showcasing the creative process of choreographing narrative dance. Northern Ballet will also host Expressions on 22 June, a sharing which brings together inclusive dance groups, giving talented dancers with disabilities the chance to showcase their skills to an audience on a professional stage. This event is part of the Beyond Festival, celebrating the work of artists with learning disabilities. More information on both of these events will be announced soon. The theatre’s spring season offers a unique chance to see dynamic young performers and works by highly acclaimed choreographers in an intimate setting. Tickets for the spring season at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre are on sale now and can be booked online at theatreleeds.com, by calling the box office on 0113 220 8008 or in person at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA. – ENDS – Listings Friday 01 April Phoenix Dance Theatre Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform Performance 7.30pm Tickets £6.00 & Concessions £4.00 Tuesday 19 April JV2 JV2 2016 Performance 7.30pm Tickets £10.00 Thursday 28 April Ballet Central Ballet Central 2016 Performance 7.30pm Tickets £12.50 & Concessions £10.00 Wednesday 04 May John Ross Dance Blink Performance 7.30pm Tickets £10.00 Friday 17 June Northern Ballet Tell Tale Steps See theatreleeds.com for booking updates Wednesday 22 June Hosted by Northern Ballet Expressions See theatreleeds.com for booking updates Sunday 03 July National Youth Dance Company In-Nocentes Performance 7.30pm Tickets £12.00 & Concessions £6.00 Saturday 09 & Sunday 10 July Renaissance Arts 5 Year Anniversary Performance Performances 7.30pm & Sunday matinée 2.30pm Tickets £18.50 & Concessions £10.00 (Sunday matinée only) Notes to Editors The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre is an intimate studio theatre situated inside the stunning home of Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre on Quarry Hill, Leeds. The building was winner of the 2011 National Lottery Award for Best Arts Project. The theatre was named as the best family friendly theatre in Yorkshire in the Netmums Theatre Awards. The theatre also received Best Family Venue, Best Family Event and Best Family Welcome at the 2013 Family Arts Festival Awards. The Stanley & Audrey Burton has signed up to the Family Arts Standards and supports Child Friendly Leeds.

RIP http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12159467/Sir-Peter-Maxwell-Davies-composer-obituary.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35802564

Links - Monday 14 March, 2016 Review – Paris Opera & Paris Opera Ballet, Iolanta, The Nutcracker (Pita, Cherkaoui, Lock), Paris: Zachary Woolfe, NY Times Review - Mariinsky Ballet, Woman in a Room, Carmen Suite, New York: Marianne Adams, Danceview Times Review - Australian Ballet, Forgotten Land, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, DGV, Melbourne: Maxim Boon, Limelight Review - Royal Ballet, After the Rain, Strapless, London: Michelle Potter, Blog Northern Ballet, Swan Lake, Leeds: Photo Essay - Simon Hulme, Yorkshire Evening Post Review - Charles Hutchinson, York Press Review - Dada Masilo, Swan Lake, New York: Susan Yung, Brooklyn Rail Review - Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, Ride the Culture Loop, Steps of Silence, Kurt Weill, New York: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal Review - Pam Tanowitz Dance, Heaven on One’s Head, the story progresses, New York: Erica Getto, Brooklyn Rail Review - Texas Ballet Theatre, Cinderella, Richardson: Margaret Putnam, Theater Jones Review - Sarah Skaggs, The New Ecstatic 2.0, New York: Tara Sheena, Brooklyn Rail Review - Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Be My Husband, Dry Each Other’s Tears…, Bamboula, Washington: Rebecca Ritzel, Washington Post Review - Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia, Images: 20 years, Washington: Paula Durbin, Washington Post Review - Delaware Theatre Company, Nureyev’a Eyes, Wilmington: Rosanne DellAversano, Broadway World

When she was with Rambert, Jo Fong was absolutely one of my favourite dancers. Her performances always illuminated anything she was appearing in. I just discovered via twitter this morning that Jo Fong has been directing/performing in a new piece in Manchester. Here is a review: http://www.thereviewshub.com/an-invitation-royal-exchange-manchester/ I do wish I had known about this in advance - I would have been there like a shot. It's still on tonight and tomorrow: http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/an-invitation

Company of Elders Art of Age Friday 18 & Saturday 19 March Performances: 6pm Tickets: £12 (£6 concessions) Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com Company of Elders, Sadler’s Wells’ inspirational resident over-60s performance company, presents Art of Age, a mixed bill of new work in the Lilian Baylis Studio on Friday 18 & Saturday 19 March 2016. Choreography by Seeta Patel, Mafalda Deville and Jade Shaw showcases the diverse skills of the company, with the performance featuring influences of bharatanatyam, contemporary dance and parkour. In Fragments, Not Forgotten, Seeta Patel uses the words of the company to create a delicate work of haunting moments and fleeting images; Spring is choreographed by Mafalda Deville to Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring; and Jade Shaw creates a piece that fuses hip hop with the principles and philosophy of parkour. The programme also includes a solo work performed by Seeta Patel which illustrates the link between her own practice and the choreography she has created for the Company of Elders as well as two dance films from Pavilion Dance South West’s Joie de Vivre 2015 Short Film Competition. Established in 1989, the Company of Elders has performed at locations ranging from The Houses of Parliament, National Theatre and Duckie Cabaret Club to foreign tours spanning Russia, Holland, Austria, Portugal, and the Venice Biennale. In 2009 (rebroadcast in 2012) the company was the subject of a BBC1 Imagine documentary, Imagine…Save The Last Dance. In September 2014 the Company of Elders hosted the Elixir Festival at Sadler’s Wells, a four day festival which celebrated lifelong creativity and the contribution of older artists. The company’s 21 members meet weekly throughout the year at Sadler’s Wells and their performances have garnered global acclaim. Among the international choreographers they have worked with are Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Hofesh Shechter Company, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Jasmin Vardimon Company, BirdGang, Luca Silvestrini and Clara Andermatt. Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding said: “The Company of Elders is truly inspirational in the scale and ambition of its performances and the calibre of the choreographers who create work for the company is testament to the dedication and skill of all its members.” NOTES TO EDITORS: ABOUT SADLER’S WELLS Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding, the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 100 new dance works to the stage and its award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour internationally. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies, an Associate Company and two International Associate Companies. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through its New Wave Associates and Summer University programmes, its Wild Card initiative and hosting of the National Youth Dance Company. Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England.

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION ’16 International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre Sadler’s Wells & Lilian Baylis Studio, EC1R Friday 29 April - Monday 2 May 2016 Performances: Fri 8pm; Sat & Sun doors open 4pm, Show 6pm Tickets: Fri 29 April: £5 | Sat 30 April & Sun 1 May £15 - £24 (£17 concessions) Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com “High marks to Jonzi D, artistic director of the annual festival, and to Sadler’s Wells for continuing to provide a platform for such an astonishing spread of work on both the main stage and in the more intimate Lilian Baylis Studio” The Times Sadler’s Wells’ critically acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre, Breakin’ Convention, is back, with performances from UK and international companies and crews. Now in its 13th year, this hugely popular Sadler’s Wells Project is once again hosted and curated by Associate Artist Jonzi D. Following the annual festival at Sadler’s Wells over the May bank holiday, Breakin’ Convention will then tour to eight venues across the UK throughout May until Wednesday 1 June 2016. Breakin’ Convention has firmly established itself as one of the major highlights on the British dance calendar and one of the world’s greatest celebrations of hip hop culture. Friday 29 April features a work in progress sharing of Vicycle by Birdgang Dance Company in the Lilian Baylis Studio. Revolving around the inner struggles of ambition, addiction and grief. The piece follows one man’s pursuit of an ‘ideal’ and the compromises he is willing to make to reach it. In its first incarnation, the piece appeared at Breakin’ Convention in 2013. The work will be developed as part of Breakin' Convention's long-term vision of supporting, commissioning and producing new hip hop theatre. The main London festival on Saturday 30 April & Sunday 1 May sees Sadler’s Wells’ foyer transformed with live DJs, freestyle dance jams, graffiti exhibitions, workshops from top international artists and live aerosol art. The participatory activities take place pre-show and during the interval. The bank holiday line-up includes three international acts who were highlights of last year’s festival including France’s Antoinette Gomis, who presents Images, an atmospheric solo inspired by the music of Nina Simone and Civil Rights. Antoinette’s signature style originates from her background as a founder member of the all-female Zamounda crew from Paris. Spain’s award-winning Iron Skuls crew present the surreal Sinestesia – A dynamic work where these skilled dancers morph into post-apocalyptic survivors. World Champion b-boy crew The Ruggeds from Holland will perform the high octane Adrenaline, last seen at Breakin’ Convention in 2015. The UK line-up also features World Street Dance Champions and Britain’s Got Talent finalists Flawless return to the Sadler’s Wells stage for the first time since their last appearance in 2008. They are joined by a number of London-based acts, including hip hop dance crew Myself UK Dance Company. Dancer and choreographer Kloe Dean formed the all-female ensemble in 2008 to promote empowerment, ambition and individuality through the medium of hip hop dance. Kwame Asafo-Adjei returns to the festival with his company Spoken Movement. The group uses elements of street dance and abstract choreography to provoke a guttural reaction. They are joined by Pro-Motion, a supergroup of poppers featuring members of street dance troupes Flawless and Plague. Many acts in the 2016 line-up developed work as part of Breakin’ Convention initiatives Open Art Surgery and Back To The Lab. For the fourth year running Breakin’ Convention takes it back to the roots of hip hop on bank holiday Monday 2 May with Park Jam, an outdoor party suitable for all the family in Spa Fields Park. UK acts in this year’s Main Stage line-up: Boy Blue Entertainment – East London's leading street dance crew featuring choreography from Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy. This company comes from a lineage of Boy Blue Entertainment youth dance development, and performed at Breakin’ Convention last year. Daughters of the Dragon – Female duo featuring BBC Young Dancer Finalist Sharifa Tonkmor, winner of New York’s ‘Ladies of Hip Hop’ competition and contestant on Sky 1’s Got To Dance. Flawless – The stars of Britain's Got Talent and the Street Dance movies return to Breakin' Convention for the first time since their last appearance in 2008. Since their rise to fame, the ten-strong dance act has performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert with Kylie Minogue and appeared in music videos with Madonna, Beyoncé and Leona Lewis. The Locksmiths – Dancer and choreographer Mr Ben presents an ensemble performance with a line up of London lockers. Mr Ben has previously trained with legendary dancers such as Suga Pop, Greg Campbellock Jr, Tony GoGo and Popin Pete. Myself UK Dance Company – Kloe Dean's all-female hip hop dance company examines female identity and acceptance with a seamless blend of movement and spoken word in Red. Developed at Breakin’ Convention’s Back To The Lab and last seen at Breakin’ Convention in 2015. Pro-Motion – Prepare to be blown away by the UK's supergroup of powerful poppers. With intricate illusions and intense technicality, Pro-Motion stars dancers from Plague, Flawless, and the UK's newest generation of poppers. Protocol Dance Company – Formed in 2008 by choreographers Jared Garfield and Lanre Malaolu, Protocol's foundation of movement stems from a wide range of styles such as hip hop, popping and krump. The group performs I Can’t Breathe, an intense exploration of modern day race relations, developed at Breakin’ Convention’s Back To The Lab. SWNSNG – Mixing images of inner city grit, grime music and krump dancing, this is a dystopian take on Lord of the Flies by Birdgang member and Breakin’ Convention regular Ivan Blackstock entitled Lord of the Trap Flyz. Take 1 – Bringing hype and energy from Nottingham, Take 1's younger all-female crew bring fierce hip hop choreography to the Sadler's Wells stage. Wayward Thread – With virtuoso technicality, Si Rawlinson's Wayward Thread weaves intricate b-boy moves with intense flow. International acts featuring on the Main Stage: Antoinette Gomis (France) – Original member of the sassy Zamounda crew Antoinette Gomis returns with a poignant and powerful tribute to the words of a Waring Cuney poem and the powerful message of Nina Simone. Incorporating waacking and house dance to celebrate the SHE-roes that fought for civil rights. Bandidas (France) – All female popping crew showcase their prowess and electrifying abilities. The group makes their festival debut, performing for the first time in the UK. BBoyizm (Canada) – Reigning from Canada, B-Boy Crazy Smooth's crew invites the audience into the world of a practice jam that exemplifies the foundations of breaking culture at its rawest. Damon Frost (USA/Sweden) – Widely credited for bringing popping foundation to Europe, the original 'rubberman' and legendary popper performs for the first time at Breakin' Convention. Enfants Prodiges (France) – Witness the next generation of France's leading hip hop dancers with this supercrew made up of Wanted Posse, Bad-Trip, Serial Stepperz and Pro-Phenomen dancers. Iron Skulls (Spain) – Navigating an apocalyptic world merging b-boy and contemporary language. The group explores a place where humans and animals become one. Sinestesiawon 1st prize at Festival HOP in Barcelona. Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa) – Straight from the street and on to the stage, South Africa's pantsula dancers dazzle with street performances and astounding tricks. The Ruggeds (Holland) – Formerly known as Rugged Solution, this eight strong crew from Eindhoven won the UK B-Boy Championships world final last year. The Ruggeds perform Adrenaline, last seen at Breakin’ Convention in 2015. Acts in this year’s Studio line-up: David Judge & Kendra Horsburgh – A powerful poetry performance duet combining spoken word and physical movement, developed at Breakin' Convention's Word Becomes Flesh. Far From The Norm – A collective of individuals established in 2009, striving to break boundaries and challenge audiences by portraying hip hop in a dynamic and abstract way. Botis Seva's kung-fu inspired duet will astound audiences with sharp wing chun movement and intense focus in a classic master and apprentice face off. Previously seen at Sadler’s Wells as part of its Wild Card season. House of Absolute – An ensemble of waacking warrior queens take to the stage with the live vocals of Lula Mebrahtu. Kieran Warner – A solo performance of Freeing the Mind fusing hip hop dance and cyr wheel showcasing both dance and circus. Developed at Breakin' Convention's Open Art Surgery. Spoken Movement – Kwame Asafo-Adjei returns to the festival with his company Spoken Movement. The group uses elements of street dance and abstract choreography, exploring the mental state of a girl reminiscing a taboo family subject in Family or Nah? The group were last seen at Breakin’ Convention in 2014. A Sadler’s Wells Project Notes to Editors: Listings information Breakin’ Convention ’16 International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre Sadler’s Wells & Lilian Baylis Studio, EC1R Friday 29 April - Monday 2 May 2016 Performances: Fri 8pm, Sat & Sun doors open 4pm, Show 6pm Tickets: Fri 29 April: £5 | Sat 30 April & Sun 1 May £15 - £24 (£17 concessions) Ticket office: 020 7863 8000 / www.sadlerswells.com Friday 29 April Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells: Birdgang Dance Company (UK) Saturday 30 April Sadler’s Wells Main Stage: Flawless (UK) Myself UK Dance Company (UK) The Locksmiths (UK) Pro-Motion (UK) Protocol Dance Company (UK) Take 1 (UK) Wayward Thread (UK) Bandidas (France) BBoyizm (Canada) Damon Frost (US/Sweden) Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa) Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells: House of Absolute (UK) Spoken Movement (UK) Sunday 1 May Sadler’s Wells Main Stage: Boy Blue Entertainment (UK) Daughters of the Dragon (UK) SWNSNG (UK) Antoinette Gomis (France) Bandidas (France) Enfants Prodiges (France) Iron Skulls Co (Spain) The Ruggeds (Holland) Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa) Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells: David Judge and Kendra Horsburgh (UK) Far From The Norm (UK) Kieran Warner (UK) Breakin’ Convention ’16 embarks on its seventh National tour after the May bank holiday performances at Sadler’s Wells, taking in eight venues across the UK including newcomers Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham and Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury. This has been made possible following a grant from Arts Council England. National Tour dates Saturday 7 May CAST, Doncaster Tuesday 10 May Colston Hall, Bristol Saturday 14 May Playhouse, Whitley Bay Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 May Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Saturday 21 May Blackpool Grand, Blackpool Tuesday 24 May Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury Wednesday 1 June Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth For further details on the Breakin’ Convention 2016 tour visit http://breakinconvention.com/events/festival/breakin-convention-2016-uk-tour

I picked this up of BRB's website earlier. In April Nao Sakuma and Chi Cao will be representing Birmingham Royal Ballet in the Virginia Arts Festival's Spring for Dance Gala. They will be performing the balcony duet from Romeo and Juliet and the reconciliation duet from The Dream. Principal Conductor Paul Murphy will be conducting. https://www.brb.org.uk/post/virginia-arts-festival-appearance-announced

Sadler’s Wells Switches out the Lights for Earth Hour, 19 March 2016 Sadler’s Wells joins thousands of organisations and individuals around the world to take part in Earth Hour on Saturday 19 March 2016. Earth Hour is a symbolic lights out event organised by WWF to focus attention on protecting the planet. The theatre will switch off all external lights, including external architectural lighting of the building and signage between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells, said: “I believe the cultural sector has no lesser role than the media to play in highlighting issues relating to how we can take better care of our planet. So I am delighted that, once again this year, Sadler’s Wells will be taking part in Earth Hour and adding our voice to the call to action on climate change.” Joining Earth Hour is one of many initiatives undertaken by Sadler’s Wells in a drive to increase the sustainability of the building and its operations. Since 2014, the theatre has carried out a number of technical refurbishments, with support from Arts Council England, designed to reduce energy demand and CO2 emissions. Electricity at Sadler's Wells is now purchased from 100% renewable sources. A switch to low energy dimmable LED house lights in the main auditorium and back of house spaces, including dressing rooms, is one of the venue’s largest energy-saving initiatives. In April 2015 photovoltaic cells were fitted to the roof of the building to generate energy, and in their first ten months they generated 15,587KWh. Other works in 2015included ventilation upgrades to the Lilian Baylis Studio, the replacement and refurbishment of boilers and an upgrade of the Building Management System, which now allows the energy use in each area of the theatre to be closely monitored. This year marks the second time Sadler’s Wells has taken part in Earth Hour, which presents something of a challenge for the venue as there is a performance on stage that night. Emma Wilson, Sadler’s Wells’ Director of Technical and Production and Chair of the theatre’s Sustainability Committee, explained: “We have equestrian theatre artist Bartabas on stage with his show, Golgota that night. The performance finishes at 8.45pm, so audience members will be coming out into the foyer during Earth Hour. Of course we cannot change the lighting in the production, but we will have the lights in the foyer dimmed, which audiences will notice as they exit the theatre, as well as all our external lighting switched off completely.” Jennifer Clements, spokesperson for WWF-UK, said: “We’re thrilled that Sadler’s Wells will be taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour again this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. By taking one simple step to switch off, WWF’s Earth Hour is a chance for all of us to come together and send out a global message about protecting our planet.” In 2015, a record-breaking 172 countries and some of world’s most famous buildings including Big Ben, Hong Kong’s skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge joined Earth Hour. In the UK alone, over 10 million people took part, along with over 4,800 schools, 200 landmarks and thousands of businesses and organisations. Notes to editors: About Earth Hour Earth Hour, organised by WWF, is the world’s biggest celebration for our amazing planet. In the UK last year, over 10 million people took part, along with over 4,800 schools, 200 landmarks and thousands of businesses and organisations. Iconic landmarks including Big Ben and Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Blackpool Tower, The Kelpies, Caerphilly Castle and many more joined the global lights out. Globally, from Samoa to Tahiti, a record 172 countries and territories took part in the world’s biggest Earth Hour yet. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai, South Africa’s Table Mountain, The Acropolis in Athens, The Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Empire State Building and Times Square in New York City, and the Las Vegas Strip were just a few of the world-famous landmarks that joined in. About WWF WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, creating solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature thrive. Find out more about our work, past and present at wwf.org.uk. About Sadler’s Wells Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding, the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 100 new dance works to the stage and its award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour internationally. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies, an Associate Company and two International Associate Companies. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through its New Wave Associates and Summer University programmes, its Wild Card initiative and hosting of the National Youth Dance Company. Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England.