Dance at Manchester’s Water Palace

Posted on April 3, 2014

Manchester’s Victoria Baths will host everything from vintage home shows to a Northern Soul all-nighter this year. Built in 1906, and restored after winning the BBC’s Restoration competition in 2003, this Edwardian bathing palace has vast pools, mosaic floors and stained glass.

Running from April 24 to May 4, Un-Rest is a ten-day arts event celebrating physical expression, with contemporary art, dance performances and video installations. The event includes a Northern Soul all-nighter and a dance-off pitting Morris against Northern Soul, with designer and vintage enthusiast Wayne Hemingway.

Throughout the year, there are open days and special fairs at Victoria Baths, including vintage home shows on June 29 and October 26 and a tea dance on August 3. See www.victoriabaths.org.uk for details.

Photograph courtesy of Victorica Baths

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.