Thousands of dancers will take to the streets this summer, as part of the London-wide Big Dance festival. Plans were announced today for dance performances, special events and workshops across the capital.
- 10,000 people will dance together in Trafalgar Square
- English National Ballet will perform with Harlequins Rugby League at Twickenham Stoop Stadium
- 100 dancers and a 50-strong orchestra will appear on the roof of Stratford Shopping Centre
- Hip-hop dance company Avant Garde Dance will take over an underground bunker in Dalston
Perhaps thanks to the popularity of TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Big Dance has really taken off since its launch in 2006.
Big Dance director Jacqueline Rose said, “The vision is big. It will be the ultimate dance experience the world has ever known. 2010 is limbering up to be the year of leg warmers.”
Even the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, is “really looking forward to strutting his funky stuff,” according to his cultural advisor, Munira Murza.
Organisers also revealed that Wayne McGregor will head up the Big Dance festival in 2012, in the lead-up to the London Olympics.
Described by the New York Times as “the closest thing to a rock star” in ballet, McGregor is the first resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet to have a contemporary dance background.
“Whether you like to choreograph, perform or watch sensational dancing, Big Dance has opportunities for you to get involved, get moving and share your passion,” said McGregor.
“Big Dance 2012 will be no different except, in the Olympic year, it will be more ambitious, totally reliant on your powers of creativity and individualism to make sure that it’s the most adventurous Big Dance yet.”
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