Press Release

For immediate release: 8 February 2010

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR INTERNATIONAL DANCE

FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM 2010
The full programme for the city’s second International Dance Festival Birmingham
(IDFB), which runs from 19th April to 15th May this year, has been confirmed and tickets
are now on sale.

Driven by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB 2010 will see over 70
performances from some of the world’s most exciting groups and choreographers take place
across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

The festival will showcase over 25 companies from six out of the seven continents of the
world, presenting a spectacular range of dancing styles from ballet and break-dancing to
contemporary, ballroom and circus. It is one of the world’s largest dance festivals and is funded
by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands and Birmingham City Council,
with sponsorship from investment bankers Brewin Dolphin.

Highlights from this year’s festival include an opening performance of ‘L’allegro, il penseroso
ed il Moderato’ by the Mark Morris Dance Group, which will see 24 dancers perform
alongside the orchestra of the English National Opera in their only UK tour date outside of
London. One of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, will
be making their Birmingham debut in their first ever UK tour, bringing their unparalleled
technique to two programmes of ‘Giselle’ and ‘Magia de la Danza’, with guest appearances by
Carlos Acosta.

Also taking place during the festival will be a new solo Kathak work by acclaimed
choreographer Akram Khan; an awe-inspiring circus performance from C!RCA; daring
acrobatics in Comphania de Dança Deborah Colker’s ‘Cruel’; and a stunning dance piece
from 17 monks from the Shaolin Temple, China in ‘Sutra’. Strictly Come Dancing – The
Professionals will also perform at Birmingham Hippodrome as part of the festival, bringing
true glitz and glamour to the stage.

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IDFB 2010 will host the world premiere of Rosie Kay Dance Company’s ‘5 SOLDIERS: The
Body is the Frontline’, a thought-provoking look at the importance of the body in modern
warfare. A unique collaboration between Birmingham-based Rosie Kay, artist David Cotterrell
and theatre director Walter Meierjohann, 5 SOLDIERS follows on from Rosie’s time spent with
The 4th Battalion The Rifles.

This year’s festival line-up also includes ‘Outspoken’, a weekend of new performances from
Middle Eastern and North African artists, curated by Eckhard Thiemann and featuring a
number of UK premieres. Ex-Riverdance star, Birmingham-born Colin Dunne will be returning
to the city to present his first full-length solo show ‘Out of Time’, a playful, contemporary
homage to the step-dance tradition that has shaped his life.

In addition to this, IDFB 2010 will host a number of free public participation events, including a
mass line-dance ‘Put Your Foot Down’ at the Bullring and a folk dance for the 21st Century,
‘United Colours of Dance’, which will take over the city’s Victoria Square.

David Massingham, Artistic Director of DanceXchange and Co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2010,
said:
“Once again Birmingham will be showcasing some of the finest international talent from a
broad range of dance styles; whether ballet, flamenco, contemporary, ballroom, street or jazz,
there’s something for everyone. This year’s event involves over 25 companies from 20
companies across globe, reinforcing Birmingham’s growing reputation as a world stage.”

Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome and Co-Artistic Director of IDFB
2010, added:
“More than ever dance is broadening its appeal across the generations, encompassing
everything from essential Saturday night television and award-winning new works, to dance
classes, school projects and community performances. We are very excited about this year’s
festival line-up, as well as the fantastic partner venues we are working with.”

For more information on IDFB 2010 and the line-up, visit www.idfb.co.uk.
ENDS

For all press enquiries, please contact:

Emily Malcolm, Press Manager for IDFB
0121 689 1082
emily.malcolm@dancexchange.org.uk

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 Notes to Editors
- IDFB 2010 is produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
- DanceXchange is a power house of dance housed in Birmingham Hippodrome complex.
The organisation brings together dance artists, companies, educators and venues in the
promotion of dance activity, education and performances for people of all ages, abilities
and cultural backgrounds.
- Birmingham Hippodrome is the busiest single theatre in the UK, welcoming c500,000
paying visitors every year. It is unique in being the home of a classical ballet company,
Birmingham Royal Ballet and a national dance development agency, DanceXchange.
Birmingham Hippodrome sells more seats for dance than any other theatre outside London.
- IDFB 2010 is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands
and Birmingham City Council. The corporate sponsor for the 2010 festival is Brewin
Dolphin.
- Advantage West Midlands is the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West
Midlands region – one of nine RDAs in England established to transform English
regions through sustainable economic development. Advantage West Midlands takes
the lead role in setting the strategy and focus for regional economic improvement;
building the partnerships needed to achieve the region’s vision; and ensuring that
public money is targeted to those activities and projects best placed to make a real
difference.
- Brewin Dolphin is one of the UK's largest independent private client investment managers.
The stockbroking firm is supporting the event to further build a bridge between the city’s
thriving professional community and its innovative arts offering.
- Additional partners for the festival include media partner BBC WM and accommodations
partner Crowne Plaza Birmingham.
- Venues hosting IDFB 2010 include Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Repertory
Theatre, The Patrick Centre, Town Hall Birmingham and Ikon Eastside, as well as a
number of specialist and outdoor spaces.
- IDFB first took place in 2008 and saw almost 25,000 people watch over 60 performances.
- IDFB 2010 is working in partnership with the West Midlands Culture Programme for
London 2012, along with a range of other exciting programmes including People Dancing,
to celebrate and engage people with the region’s world-class cultural offer.
www.wmfor2012.com
- World Dance Day takes place during the festival on 29 April 2010

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