April 2006 saw the launch of the MOVE IT dance exhibition which gathered together 12,000 dance enthusiasts at London’s Olympia for a three-day celebration of dance. The event’s success proved beyond doubt the huge appetite for dance in the UK. In response to the success of the launch, MOVE IT will return to Olympia this year from March 16-18 and Dancing Times are pleased once again to be sponsoring the event.

MOVE IT offers up to 150 exhibitors, live performances and dance taster classes in an array of different styles as well as a professional seminar programme. Bringing together every style of dance,
the event illustrates the diversity of British dance culture and highlights the huge number of people
who are passionate about dance.

Over the last few years there has been a growth in audiences attending performances and people signing up for dance lessons. The BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Strictly Dance Fever” have generated a huge resurgence of interest in dance. This has been recognised by the National Dance Awards, which this year has awarded “Strictly Come Dancing” the National Dance Patron’s Award in recognition of the vital role the programme has played in raising the profile of dance in the UK.

With more votes cast for this year’s “Strictly Come Dancing” final than for any party in the general election it is no surprise that the government has taken notice of the growth in the dance sector. A Government Dance Forum has been set up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to help build a stronger infrastructure for dance development and report dance related issues to ministers. The health benefits of dance have also been formally endorsed by the government with the announcement that NHS trusts are to fund a number of dance classes. Also in response to public enthusiasm for dance participation, Dance UK has launched the Dance Manifesto Campaign, which aims to get dance classes in every school in Britain.

MOVE IT 2007 is expected to bring together between 15,000 and 18,000 dance lovers and this year moves to Olympia’s National Hall, a much larger venue allowing for a significant increase in visitors. There will be twice the number of classes (all of them bookable for just £2 per class) and a re-designed stage to accommodate more spectators.

The main stage will showcase high profile dancers and companies including BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” stars Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova and Nicole and Matthew Cutler who will be performing and teaching at MOVE IT. Other highlights include Srishti Dance Company, whose choreographer Nina Rajarani won the top contemporary dance accolade The Place Prize 2006, Ballet Black, The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, Anjali Dance Company, ZooNation, and World Ten Dance Champions 2006 Christoph Kies and Blanca Ribas Turón presented by Capezio. Youth companies are also taking to the stage including The Royal Ballet School Associates, students from Pineapple Performing Arts and, Zoonation Youth and Shift Youth Dance Company.

Top dance schools and performing arts academies will be showcasing their students’ talents, many of whom will go on to be the future of the dance industry, with performances from Ballet Central, Masters Performing Arts, Bird College, Stella Mann College, Urdang Academy, Tiffany Theatre College and Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama. For salsa lovers the main stage will be hosting performances from Alchemy Dance Company and Diablo Dance Company alongside couples Shelley and Lee and Eva and Mauro.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to buy the latest dancewear and shoes as the leading retailers and manufacturers showcase their latest designs. Exhibitors include dance schools and colleges, dance organisations, dance floor manufacturers, health experts and venues and of course Dancing Times – come along to stand 378 to meet us and pick up the latest issue! 

Visit the website www.dance-london.co.uk for a full programme and in next month’s DT for more information.