Blog Post
Dancin' Oxford is back with virtual dance festival
Oxford Mail • Feb 16, 2021
OXFORD'S festival of dance is back this year with an online twist in a bid to get people moving at home.
After 15 years of Dancin' Oxford's Spring Dance Festival, this year's event should have been a celebratory one.
But due to the pandemic, plans for March 6 to 13 have been toned down and moved online in the hope it can celebrate in true dance style in the summer.
Dancin' Oxford's spring event will include workshops, a talk and several films as well as a chance for families to dance at home while they enjoy a live-streamed 'Baby Boogie' disco.
The festival is funded by Oxford City Council and Arts Council England.
Claire Thompson, Oxford City Council arts officer said: "It’s been a tough year for many, but we hope we can bring a little sunshine and fun into people’s lives with some dance, in the privacy of their own homes.
"Following the success of our Global Dance Film last Autumn, we are delighted to have created Spring Awakening, a spring version with a difference.
"Last time, dance companies from Oxford and its twin cities created their response to a single piece of music. This time they have filmed their work outside sharing some of the character and spirit of their cities."
Spring Awakening will go live on the Dancin' Oxford Facebook page and YouTube channel at 9am on March 6.
At 9am every day between March 6 and 13, people can watch a live dance workshop called NEST led by dancer Cecilia Macfarlane. By the end of the week, you will have learnt a small dance that can be shared with family and friends.
Neon Dance, an internationally renowned organisation, creates dance works exploring technology and design with the body as the central tenet.
Adrienne Hart, artistic director at Neon Dance will deliver a talk with Hemma Philamore from the University of Bristol’s robotics lab [sic*], and research partners at Oxford University to discuss the use of robots in arts and cultural events.
* Bristol Robotics Laboratory
