WHAT: Something unusual has been surprising shoppers on High Street recently – dancers slowly start to emerge from the crowds, performing on the street around the lampposts and benches, dancing on (and in) the phone boxes and performing routines at the cashpoints…
DATE: Tuesday 4 May – Friday 7 May
TIME: 1pm and 4:30pm every day (lasts for approximately 30 minutes)
WHERE: High Street, outside Pavilions, Birmingham city centre
An unusual performance has been taking place every day on High Street recently as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) 2010, surprising passers-by with impromptu performances.
Dancers have slowly emerged from the crowds of shoppers and office workers, performing on the street around the lampposts and benches, dancing on (and in) the phone boxes and performing routines at the cashpoints.
Onlookers have been bemused, surprised and entertained by the antics of the dancers, who respond to the music of some carefully placed “buskers”.
This is part of the (in)visible dances project, commissioned by IDFB especially for the Festival and choreographed by Luca Silvistrini, Artistic Director of Protein. The dancers take on different characters of the people who use High Street every day – from shoppers and office workers, to builders and joggers.
The project will conclude on Sunday 9 May at 4pm with Visible Dances, a unique outdoor spectacle reflecting and celebrating the rich mix of Birmingham’s street life. The cast of dancers will join forces with local students and volunteers to bring a cast of up to 80 people together for the performance.
IDFB 2010 is an ongoing month-long celebration of dance produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, and is one of the world’s largest dance festivals. Representing over 20 countries from six continents, the Festival features over 100 performances, as well as a number of free public events and plenty of chances for people to get involved.
The Festival is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands and Birmingham City Council, with sponsorship from Brewin Dolphin. IDFB is also working in partnership with the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012.
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 or emily.malcolm@dancexchange.org.uk
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