Performers announced for huge youth dance event in Nottingham

Applause Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) has announced the 23 successful companies and solo performers from across the East and West Midlands who will be performing at a vibrant weekend celebration of youth dance at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall in April.

The festival showcases the work of young dancers from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience, between the ages of 11 to 19 and up to 25 for disabled dancers.

Next Door are one of the dance companies performing at this year's event. Photo: Matthew Cawrey

placeholder image — Next Door are one of the dance companies performing at this year's event. Photo: Matthew Cawrey

The final programme includes companies from a huge variety of settings including school and college groups, youth dance organisations and private dance schools.

Becky Bailey, director of Engagement at Fabric, the festival producers, said: “Congratulations to all these amazing young artists.

The event brings together both able-bodied and disabled dancers. Photo: Anthony Shintai

"We had more than 50 applications and it was incredibly difficult to make the final selection from such a strong and inspiring work.

“Applause offers a unique and inspiring platform for young dancers from across the midlands to showcase their talent in a professional venue.

"The event brings together performers from a wide range of backgrounds—both disabled and nondisabled—for a vibrant celebration of youth creativity.

"Audiences can look forward to an exciting mix of dance styles, including tap, hip hop, contemporary and dancehall, presented by the next generation of dancers from across the region.”

The event takes place across the weekend of April 11 and 12.

Confirmed performers for April 11 are: Next Door Dance Youth Company (East Midlands); Sterran Dance Company (West Midlands); Loco Academy (West Midlands); Attitude Dance Studios Performance Team (West Midlands); ACE Youth Company (West Midlands); North Birmingham Academy (West Midlands); Young Creations (East Midlands); CYCC Dance Elevate (East Midlands); Moving Dance Co (West Midlands); NSFB (Northampton School for Boys) (East Midlands); EC Dance (East Midlands).

Confirmed performers for April 12 are: Park Vale Senior Dance Academy (East Midlands); Dance Development Project (East Midlands); Nottingham College Dance (East Midlands); Holly (solo performance) (East Midlands); IGNITE AMTD (West Midlands); Linden Youth (West Midlands); Eloquent Dance (West Midlands); ME Dance Youth (West Midlands); Afrocave Dance (West Midlands); Our Lady St Chad (West Midlands); Manushi Dance (East Midlands); Northampton School Dance Academy (East Midlands).

During the weekend AYDF will also be hosting a unique marketplace offering the young performers and the public an opportunity to connect with dance organisations, providers and institutions, explore training opportunities, projects and learn about career pathways related to and around dance.

There will be an exhibition space for mini performances, plus workshops and talks.

Applause is also working in partnership with Breakin’ Convention this year, presenters of award-winning hip hop theatre revolution, and will be hosting a workshop for the young people and leading the warm-up session for the festival weekend.

They will also be joining the discussion panel about careers in dance which will be open to the public.

Becky continued: “This is a one stop shop for everyone interested in youth dance.

"The workshop leaders used to be in the young people’s shoes and have danced in youth companies themselves, so this is a unique opportunity to learn from their experience - see it, to be it.”

Entry to the marketplace is free and will be located on level two at the Royal Concert Hall from 12.30pm tp 5.30pm on Saturday, April 11 and 12.30pm to 5pm on Sunday, April 12.

Tickets for the Applause performances are available at trch.co.uk/whats-on/applause-youth-dance-festival-9285