International Day of Dance

At Leeds Dance Partnership we celebrate dance from across the city and its surrounding areas. With the current COVID-19 crisis, artists have adapted to keep us all connected to the art of dance. To celebrate International Day of Dance 2020 we’ve brought together some of the content being produced right now – it won’t cover everything so keep your eye on Twitter and follow #IDD2020 throughout the day. And tweet us your activity so we can share. 

Yorkshire Dance have lots going on online and are one to keep an eye on as they plan to release more. For now, you can watch Dancing on My Own, and then have a go yourself. Or for fun for all the family why not try their Saturday Superstars Online classes? It includes classes on street dance, ballet and rhythm and tap.

Northern School of Contemporary Dance will share a short film celebrating their international student community. Featuring students dancing in their homes across the world as they continue their studies remotely under lockdown.

Also worth a look is FLOCK FEST, an art and performance festival curated and produced by the students. There are over 20 videos from independent artists in the online programme.

Northern Ballet are running a Pay as You Feel Season Digital Season where you can see full-length ballets and exclusive excerpts for free. They are just asking for a donation when you watch, if you feel you are able. One to act quickly on is 1984 which is available to watch for free online until 2 May.

Don’t miss Sharon Watson’s Windrush: Movement of the People on MarqueeTV (you’ll need an account or 14-day free trail). The work is a lively celebration of the rise of multicultural Britain and features an uplifting soundtrack from calypso, jazz, gospel and reggae.

And calling all young, aspiring dancers…Phoenix are still accepting applications for all Phoenix Youth Academy cohorts for Autumn 2020. Apply now!

If you want to get moving in your living room, it might be worth checking out the online class offering from Dance Studio Leeds. With everything from ballet to Afrofusion and musical inspired classes. A bargain for £5.

It’s always worth keeping an eye on what DAZL are up to and they are on top of the lockdown TikTok craze too search for them @DAZLDance.

Watch their videos

Leeds City College have curated a series of interactive activities and workshops you can take part in online. Whilst not specifically dance, there’s plenty to keep you creative.

Something for the kids here as BSDC run online classes bringing classical Indian dance, ballet, and other dance styles to the comfort or chaos of your living room.

SAA-UK have developed Baithak LIVE, a season of live streamed performances by some of the best South Asian musicians and dancers. There is content every Thursday at 7pm, and twice a month on Sundays at 11am a special Sacred Sounds for Humanity will be live streamed.

To celebrate the anniversary of ZARA – Mind the Gap’s giant co-production with Walk the Plank in association with Emergency Exit Arts, you can watch it on their website now.

Always a good place to see what’s happening in Leeds, Leeds Inspired are sharing a guide for online events in Leeds including Leeds Digital Festival.

We also recommend checking out Dance Consortia North West’s Collaborative Campaign

Keep Active, Keep Healthy, Keep Social, Keep Dancing

Cheshire Dance, Ludus Dance, Merseyside Dance Initiative (MD) and Company Chameleon are bringing the sector together to celebrate International Day of Dance 2020 which is on the 29th April.

Leeds Dance Partnership are delighted to be collaborating with DCNW and other dance partners from across the North West of England to showcase and spread the transformational power of dance.

Throughout the day, Leeds Dance Partnership will be sharing content, showing how the dance industry is adapting to create virtual dance communities. You can share and find content by using the following hashtags:

#IDD2020 #LetsCreate #DancingConnects