On The Block

on the block hiphop battle

Bringing Reading’s community together through Hip Hop dance! On The Block is an exciting new dance battle in Reading.

Come and catch a vibe at On The Block with some of the greatest dancers from in and around Reading! Watch them battle it out for cash prizes, surprises and winning titles.

Witness some of the best tricks, kicks and showcases as our dancers fight for their place as On The Block winners!

1vs1 Hiphop / 1vs1 Popping / 1vs1 Krump

£100 cash prize per category!

Saturday 29th October St Laurence Church, The Forbury, Reading

Battle 2pm – 6pm Dancers Jam 6pm - 8pm

Tickets Dancer £7 Spectator £5

BOOK HERE: https://ontheblockbattle.eventbrite.co.uk

In partnership with Reading Fringe Festival

Little Murmur : Aakash Odedra Company

Jump into a world where words and letters take flight with Aakash Odedra Company’s Little Murmur.

This beautiful show will delight audiences of any age with its stunning images, technology, dance and humour. 

Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, Aakash Odedra found school very challenging. Defined by his learning difficulties, not his abilities, dance became his means of expression. Based on his own hugely moving and international award-winning show Murmur 2.0 that draws on Kathak and contemporary dance movements, Little Murmur is Aakash’s funny, honest and heartfelt conversation about the trials, and the joys, of living with dyslexia.

Watch bodies and words fly like flocks of birds, a murmuration, a little murmur.

Suitable for adults and children ages 7+
40 mins

Saturday 19th November, South Street Arts Centre,

11.30am and 2pm Tickets £9.50

BOOK HERE: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/south-street/whats-on/little-murmur

The Royale Dancehall Flamingos

the royale dancehall flamingos

The #DancehallFlamingos have been hibernating alone for a year slowly working on their plumage. Now, a flock is formed…

The #DancehallFlamingos have been hibernating alone for a year slowly working on their plumage. Now, a flock is formed…

Join the flock with PC*DC (Duckie’s Posh Club Dance Club), share food, music and dance moves.

A joyful celebration of older age, the flamingos subvert the loneliness experienced by many during lockdown. The dancers slowly begin to stretch their wings, cock their legs, dream, dance and break free.

In this flamazing event, you’ll get to see the Royale Dancehall Flamingos flock in full, have the opportunity to become a Dancehall Flamingo, share food and stories and celebrate the vibrant and brilliant older people of our town and their creativity.

Think whining nanas, hot pink leotards, TikTok dance challenges and fierce, fabulous fun for older people. This is definitely not a sleepy tea dance!

Saturday 26th November 6.30pm Read College, St Barts Theatre, St Bartholomews Rd, RG1 3QA

Tickets are on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. If you can’t afford to pay anything, that’s ok! Please select a ‘free’ ticket.

Book here: https://royalflamingos.eventbrite.co.uk

Baby Boogie Digital Disco

baby boogie digital disco

Enjoy some of the best music from local DJ and funk, soul and reggae legend Jewels Vass, from the comfort of your living room.

With tunes and grooves designed for your little ones to love, craft activities from Jelly Arts, and an online funk and soul dance class for the whole family to enjoy together, this is a living room disco like no other!

2 - 2.20pm Learn some disco moves with Sonia Brown

2.20 - 4pm Reggae, funk and soul, live DJ’d to your living room!

Sunday 27th November 2pm - 4pm. Unfortunately we have decided to postpone this event. We hope to hold an in person family disco in the New Year.

Far From the Norm Workshop

Hiphop Dance Theatre workshop

Far From The Norm (FFTN) is the cornerstone of the Hip Hop community in the UK and is a critically and publicly renowned dance theatre company, led by Artistic Director Botis Seva. FFTN performers bring to the studio a range of dance styles from Popping to Breaking, Krump to House, and it is with their informed knowledge of different dance styles that Botis is able to question, learn and translate what else is possible.

Led by the core artist Jordan Douglas, these classes will introduce you to FFTN's signature methodology and training using different street dance styles to navigate highly physical movement and will explore the repertoire of BLKDOG.

Sunday 20th November, Read College, St Barts Theatre, St Bartholomews Rd, Reading,

Intermediate class 11am - 1pm

Advanced and Professionals 3 - 5.30pm

Tickets £10

Please wear clothing that allows you to move freely and bring socks and sneakers in which you can dance comfortably.

BOOK HERE: https://DR22FarFromTheNorm.eventbrite.co.uk

JUMP! dance showcase

JUMP! dance showcase

JUMP! is a vibrant and inspiring dance showcase of work-in-progress, existing pieces and new work, from dancers, companies and students. This year JUMP! is the finale of Dance Reading Festival 22 and is bigger and better than ever before.

Come along to see a bit of Hiphop, Kathak, Ballet, Contemporary, Belly Dancing, Lindyhop and maybe even some Tap, from Reading's incredible dance schools, dance groups and individual dance professionals.

If you want to perform, get in touch with us hello@dancereading.com

Saturday 3rd December, Read College, St Barts Theatre, St Bartholomews Road, Reading

This event was live streamed courtesy of AV Events, you can relive the whole experience here.

The line up:

Dance Fusion Shooting Stars - Mission Impossible

Natraj Dance Academy - Dancing in Madness

Waingels Dance Company - Connections

Dance Fusion Shinning Stars - The Motto

Adult Dance - Don't Stop Me Now

Swag Out Revolutionz

INTERVAL

Kalakunj - Thillana

Queen Anne’s School, Twilight Dance Company - Just Jazz

Read Musical Theatre Students - White Flag

Urban Stylez

Niquelle LaTouche - Neg(ate)

Reading School Of Dance - Best of British

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE:

Fish Out of Water : MCDC

fish out of water : mcdc

Fish Out of Water is a fresh, family-friendly outdoor dance performance using hip hop, interactive sculptures & responsive music to explore themes of belonging, otherness, displacement & migrancy.

Follow the dancers as they find themselves in a strange new place and help them overcome bizarre, colourful obstacles. By the end of the show, you can help them build a home somewhere new and show them that whatever challenges we face, we are stronger together.

Saturday 5th November, Broad Street, outside Marks and Spencer. at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm

FREE

The Riddle

The riddle : Nocturn and spin arts

Created by NOCTURN and Spin Arts in association with ArtsUnboxed – Greenwich Dance The RIDDLE is a fun, online outdoor experience where your phone is part of the problem – and the solution! Focused on a current societal concern (our consumption of digital technology), participants are tasked to help the central character ‘Pæn’, re-engage with the wonders of the outdoors by hunting down QR codes, solving riddles, making and sharing their own dance moves. Finding all six QR codes will unlock a new riddle. Solving them all unravels the whole mystery! This is an experience that will stretch your mind and your body.

The experience will be available for 5th and 6th November, but come out on the 5th and search for Paen, the lead character of the experience, somewhere along your trail!

Sat 5th November, Reading Town Centre,

FREE no booking necessary

Aur Ek Antaraal : Drishti Dance

Festival Film Nights

Aur Ek Antaraal : a short film by drishti dance

Aur Ek Antaraal

On these shores of infinity

Bound by an ancient affinity

Deep in the shadows of that incandescent star

Time slips slowly, relentlessly, bead by bead

An endless shattering into myriad prisms..diffusing all..

Till.. all is time and time is all

And then again an Antaraal…

…The splendour of age old, temporal laws

A hectic pace, then slumberous pause

And this then again an Antaraal

Till..all is time and time is all..

Mallika Dasgupta

(Adapted from original Hindi text written by Dr. Rashmi Chaturvedi)

The word Antaraal literally means suspension or a pause in time.

Aur Ek Antaraal is short screen dance film that explores the journey of movement in time, as experienced through pause in between. A pause that encapsulates a potential for transformation, a leashed energy, an anticipation, a silent tension ready to release at the next moment. A time thus can be viewed as a series of pauses interspersed with movement.

This screen adaptation follows a full length work Antaraal, that premiered in ‘The Resolution 2016’ at The Place, London followed by ‘Moving with the Times’, in Pegasus, Oxford. It was then, re-developed, based on especially commissioned new text, “Aur Ek Antaraal” authored by DR. Rashmi Chaturvedi. The work has since then premiered at Offbeat 2019.

Dancer and Choreographer, Anuradha Chaturvedi works with filmmaker, Rauni Baros, Screen Dance

Mentor, Omari ‘Motion’ Carter and Artistic Consultant Debbie Fionbarr, to develop this film as a process of understanding screen dance as a new creative and artistic expression especially in the context of a Classical Indian dance form. It is a year long project funded and supported by Arts Council’s DYCP (Developing Your Creative Practice) grant.

Poem (Aur Ek Antaraal) – Dr. Rashmi Chaturvedi

English Adaptation (Aur Ek Antaraal) – Mallika Dasgupta

Image Credit- Alexander Clovis

This piece is part of a double bill with The World is Broken by Illumé. This evening will explore the work of these two Berkshire based contemporary dance companies, who also do extensive work in teaching, and with communities. Watch together then join both companies online to find out more about the piece and the company.

This ticket includes a unique link to view the film and a code to join the online question and answer session, both of which will be emailed to you nearer the time. You do not have to attend both the screening and the q&a.

Book FREE tickets here: https://doublebill.eventbrite.co.uk

Move, Breathe, Be

Move, breathe, be Taster sessions

Would you like to find a moment of calm? Would you like to learn ways to become more present and feel more connected to your environment and those around you?

Reside Dance C.I.C. is offering two online Move, Breathe, Be, taster sessions for anyone who would like to improve their physical health, mental wellbeing, and connections to other people. Sessions are gentle, meditative, and creative and draw upon mind-body centering techniques and guided improvisation.  

Dates: Friday 11th November and Saturday 19th November, 1:30 – 2 pm  

Where: Online

Cost: £3.50 per session

Suitable for: Young people aged 11 years and over, adults, older adults and people with health conditions and limited mobility. No previous dance experience required. 

To book:  Please email residedance@gmail.com for more information including how to book. 

The World is Broken : ILLUMÉ

Festival Film Nights

The World is broken : Illumé

An interactive dance video created and performed by ILLUMÉ adult community dance company. This video is a parody for entertainment purposes only but with a serious message at its heart about the role of multinational companies’ in the climate crisis. Choose your ending and find yourself immersed in a new, but familiar, world.

Illumé say: We are not targeting any real companies and hope not to offend anyone. Large companies’ should welcome challenges to their ECO credentials so do take individual or, better still, collective action on the climate crisis. It may be our planet’s last best hope.

Established in 2010, ILLUMÉ, NOCTURN’s adult community dance company, has given many people a wonderful array of varied performance opportunities and has gained a reputation across the South East for delivering high-quality dance performances.

This piece is part of a double bill with Aur Ek Antaraal, by Drishti Dance. This evening will explore the work of these two Berkshire based contemporary dance companies, who also do extensive work in teaching, and with communities. Watch together then join both companies online to find out more about the piece and the company.

This ticket includes a unique link to view the film and a code to join the online question and answer session, both of which will be emailed to you nearer the time. You do not have to attend both the screening and the q&a.

Book FREE tickets here: https://doublebill.eventbrite.co.uk

Avartan : Drishti Dance

avartan : Drishti Dance

Drishti Dance returns to The Whitty theatre with an exciting and sensational evening of Classical Indian dance, music, and poetry. The evening is a feast for senses, a sublime celebration of human emotions, expressed through the language of rhythm, melody and movement.

 The evening features an exciting line up artists and companies –

•  Divya Ravi, an internationally acclaimed Bharatnatyam exponent and independent dance maker.

• Neelambari Prasad and Kripa Iyyer, renowned Odissi exponents and founder of Madhuriya Arts London.

•  Kriti Kala Mandir led by its Artistic Director and Guru, Ashwini Kalsekar, an exponent of Kathak, well known for her exceptional vision, grace and authentic technique.

•  Anuradha Chaturvedi, dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director of Drishti Dance together with, Drishti Dance’s talented and dynamic youth dance company that has represented South East Region in National U.Dance in 2018, 2019 and more recently at Midland Arts Birmingham in July 2022.

Sunday 6th November The Whitty Theatre, Wokingham, RG40 3EU 6pm

Tickets £11 - £13

BOOK HERE: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/drishtidance/avartan-2022/2022-11-06/18:00/t-vvvnppq

Grow : Kapow Circus Theatre

grow : Kapow Circus theatre

A FREE lively, energetic and vibrant dance theatre show for families, by Kapow Circus Theatre. A comment on humanity and a comedic gardening show combined. Weeds, wind and wonderful characters tell this story of nurture, environment and friendship.

This show leaves the audience feeling uplifted and inspired to get out and enjoy nature. It speaks about our relationship to one another, to the natural world and of what we all need to thrive.

Suitable for the whole family, the circus dance piece will delight everyone.

FREE but please book a ticket for each adult and child attending:

Saturday 12th November Battle Library, Oxford Rd, RG30 1EE

12 midday

Tickets for Battle Library: https://growkapowBATTLE.eventbrite.co.uk

SOUTH READING SHOW IS UNFORTUNATELY CANCELLED

Thursday 10th November, South Reading Community Hub Hall, 252 Northumberland Ave, RG2 7QA

Born to Protest :

Joseph Toonga & Just Us Dance Theatre

born to protest : Joseph toonga and just us dance theatre

Born to Protest is a powerful and explosive piece of dance theatre, using hiphop to dismantle presumptions about the black male and female figure based on intimidation, danger and isolation, revealing instead character traits around fragility, vulnerability and a constant battle to prove oneself. 

Born to Protest is Joseph’s first outdoor work for his company Just Us Dance Theatre. It is the second part of a Hip Hop dance theatre trilogy he is creating to highlight black excellence and challenge racial stigma.

This performance is being staged exclusively for students at John Madejski Academy, along with a programme of workshops.

(Re)United : Alleyne Dance

FESTIVAL FILM NIGHTS

(Re)united : a dance film by alleyne dance and antoine Marc

Followed by Q&A with the company online

A heartwarming and interactive short dance film that highlights the strength of family connectivity.

(Re)United depicts anticipation, joy, fear and excitement leading up to the moment adult siblings reunite after being separated for over half of their lives.

Inspired by the true-life story of Sir Mo Farrah and his twin brother who were separated at a young age and kept apart due to the outbreak of war. Identical twin sisters, Kristina and Sadé Alleyne, interpret the conflicting emotions in the moments before they reunite for the first time as adults.

(Re)United highlights the power and bond between siblings and demonstrates how connectivity is not limited to the physical, but can be held together through love and hope.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Antoine Marc

Performed by award-winning dancers, Krisitna and Sadé Alleyne

Watch together then join the company online to find out more about the piece and the company, and how dance for film differs from dance for stage.

This ticket includes a unique link to view the film and a code to join the online question and answer session, both of which will be emailed to you nearer the time. You do not have to attend both the screening and the q&a.

Thursday 10th November, 7.30pm screening, 8pm post show talk and q&a with Sadé Alleyne and Kristina Alleyne.

Tickets are on a 'pay what you feel' basis. There is no obligation to pay at all if you can't afford to.

Film contains nudity

BOOK HERE: https://reunitedDR22.eventbrite.co.uk

Inspiring Playgrounds

Festival Film Nights

Inspiring playgrounds

In June 2022 Dance Reading, in partnership with The Place, 101 Outdoor Arts, Applause, The Egg and Theatre 31, toured two brand new pieces of dance to playgrounds of five Reading schools.

Here is a unique opportunity to watch those two interactive dance pieces in full. Suitable for the whole family, and living room participation fully encouraged, enjoy Pagrav Dance’s Deva and Extended Play’s How To Build a Universe, two vibrant and interactive pieces of dance.

For more information about dance in your school, please contact hello@dancereading.com

Book a free ticket to watch online here:

https://playgroundstour.eventbrite.co.uk

8 Tender Solitudes : Fevered Sleep

Festival Film Nights

8 Tender solitudes : a film by fevered sleep

8 Tender Solitudes is a short dance film made during the third UK lockdown in early 2021, evoking what we lost when we were no longer able to touch. It was created in collaboration with seven extraordinary dancers, each performing alone. Featuring a soaring score by composer Kate Whitley, it’s made from yearning and sensuality, anger and frustration, grief, memory and love.

Over the last few years, we’ve had to learn new ways to connect with our friends and our loved ones. We’ve met each other at a distance, but rarely skin to skin. We’ve become fearful of breath, hugging and intimacy, and we’ve thought we might never be touched again. When we’ve lived like this for so long, can touch ever be the same?

Please note that this film contains flashing images.
Running time: 12 minutes.

Thurs 17th November, online screening at 7.30pm,

online Q&A with Artistic Director Sam Butler plus dance artist Jasmine Chiu at 8pm

Watch together then join the company online to find out more about the piece and the company, and how dance for film differs from dance for stage.

This ticket includes a unique link to view the film and a code to join the online question and answer session, both of which will be emailed to you nearer the time. You do not have to attend both the screening and the q&a.

Tickets are on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis. There is no obligation to pay at all if you can’t afford it, please select a free ticket.

Book here: https://solitudes.eventbrite.co.uk