Dancin' Oxford Summer festival returns to Westgate this July

Organisers say they are delighted to announce Dancin’ Oxford’s exciting dance line-up for its Summer Festival Event on 9 July at Westgate Oxford’s Leiden Square.

The festival is supported by Oxford Festival of Arts. 

Claire Thompson, Arts Development Officer for the Oxford City Council and the programmer for Dancin’ Oxford’s Summer Festival said: “We’re thrilled to have programmed such a vibrant mix of local and national dance works especially for our community here in Oxford. Absolutely everybody is welcome to come along and join in to help us celebrate summer and dancing!”

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said: “We are delighted to announce we are hosting Dancin’ Oxford at Leiden Square once again.

“The dance festival is a great way to showcase local and national talent. We are confident the event will be a success and are looking forward to Leiden Square being filled with fantastic dance performances.”

There will be four and a half hours of cutting edge, dance from some of the leading dance companies in the UK, as well as inspiring youth dance performances, a Zumba party led by George Martini and friends, as well as the B-Boys, who will be walking through Westgate on stilts, performing their colourful work Joy Magnet.

In addition, the following dance companies will be showcasing their work throughout the day:

• 2FacedDance - they will peform the work ‘Power.’ It is described as a physically impressive work that explores the way power can seduce, shift, and shape behaviour.
• Company Chameleon - They will perform the work ‘Void.’ It is described as a male and female duet that explores the space created by the pandemic and the emotions and reactions to covid and the lockdowns. 
• Lyndon Dasilva - A multi-disciplinary movement artist who will bring his precise physicality to the work he has choreographed, entitled ‘The Voyage of Life.’
• Vanhulle Dance Theatre - they will perform the work ‘Dovetail.’ It is described as a highly physical exploration of what happens when two people are thrown together by fate. 

As well as these listed above, there will be performances from four youth companies who will exhibit high-energy street and contemporary dance pieces throughout the day. The groups are Messy Jam Dance School, TPD Young Artists, Step 2 Dance and Mini Professionals. 

A spokesperson for the event said: “There really will be something for everyone! Come along and join in the fun. Whatever mood you’re in - you can just watch from the side-lines or join in and dance along with us!”

For further information, members of the public can contact Claire Thompson, Arts Development Officer via CTHOMSON@oxford.gov.uk