Blackpool to host UK’s first dance-based fringe festival
Blackpool has today announced it is to become the UK’s Capital of Dance!
Celebrating the town’s unrivalled heritage in both social and competitive dance and staking its claim as the nation’s favourite place to trip the light fantastic, there is no better place in the UK more deserving of this title!
The brainchild of Lytham based theatre producers and festival promoters Martin and Marina Blore from Fit The Bill Limited, the announcement has the backing of all major stakeholders in the resort.
A pilot event will take place next month to officially declare the town as the Dance Capital!
And Strictly star Karen Hauer has already pledged her support and will be in Blackpool for the event.
Taking place between June 14 and July 14, the month-long event will feature more than 100 different activations, from live performances, workshops with celebrity dancers, theatre shows, dance themed art exhibitions, community events and dancing in the streets!
Live dance performances will pop up in unusual spaces across the town, cafes will be offering ballerina cakes and there will even be themed cocktails in bars and festival themed window displays!
Karen will be delivering workshops herself on Saturday 29th June at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
To be a part of this you just need to visit Capital of Dance
Karen said: “There really is no-where quite like Blackpool when it comes to dancing.
“I have had the privilege of dancing on the famous Blackpool Tower ballroom floor for many years and every year it just gets better.
“This is an incredible initiative, and it is fantastic to see Blackpool finally getting the recognition it deserves – it is well and truly the UK’s – Capital of Dance!”
Marina said today her ambition is to build on the success of this year and return in 2025 with what will be the UK’s first dance-based fringe festival.
The vision for the festival is to transform theatres, art venues and unusual spaces across the town, into dance hubs – filling them with dance workshops and shows – catering for all ages and abilities.
With 22M annual visitors, Blackpool remains the UK’s most popular seaside resort.
Marina added: “Capital of Dance will promote and build on the town’s fantastic dance heritage – there really is nowhere quite like Blackpool.”
The town already plays host to dozens of international dance competitions every year, the world’s longest running ice dance production at Pleasure Beach Resort, together with the famous names who grace The Grand Theatre and Winter Gardens throughout the year.
Marina said: “Since the Victorians arrived at the resort by train to dance on the piers, Blackpool has continued to welcome thousands of enthusiasts. This passion for dance has grown in the resort throughout the decades. During the war years, soldiers from both sides of the Atlantic met future spouses whilst dancing to the music of the big bands in the two most iconic dance venues in the world, Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens.
“There was swing dancing and jiving on the piers, and every summer season theatre shows until the late 1980s included a line-up of dancers as part of their twice nightly performances.
“Then came Northern Soul, the super-clubs and today, Blackpool Tower’s spectacular ballroom with its sprung dance floor, remains the aspiration for every Strictly Come Dancing professional and their celebrity partners.”
The Capital of Dance pilot project has been part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) and also by Blackpool Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID).
TBID is made up of key businesses across the resort and takes a lead role on projects which are deemed to make a positive impact on the local economy and help to attract and retain staying visitors in Blackpool.
Kate Shane, chair of TBID Blackpool said: “Blackpool and dancing have been hand in hand for generations, providing magical experiences for everyone, whether they’re a competitor, spectator or just love to take to the floor. The resort has the best array of venues and this, combined with our world class hospitality, makes Blackpool the perfect location to be the UK’s Capital of Dance.”
Dancers, dance creatives, producers and choreographers are being encouraged to pledge their support for both this year’s event and next year’s, which will take place from June 13 – July 13, 2025.
Anyone who is interested should visit: www.capitalofdance.com Capital of Dance or email [email protected]