Leap Dance Festival brings dance events to the streets and theatres of Liverpool

Leap Dance Festival
26th April – 10th May 2024
Various Venues, Liverpool

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Leap Dance Festival will present two weeks of dance events showcasing Liverpool City Region talent across seven key venues this spring.

From 26th April – 10th May 2024, Liverpool will come alive with dance, with performances taking place in theatres, cultural venues and public spaces on the streets of the city centre.

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, organisers are delighted to announce a packed programme of events. Established local dance artists and companies perform alongside young people and community groups, in a range of styles from burlesque and breakdance to contemporary dance and a ceilidh, with tickets ranging from £0-£25.

The festival launches on Friday 26th April at The Black-E with a night of cabaret, burlesque and circus performances, later taking over venues from The Capstone Theatre to National Museums Liverpool, with a schools showcase on International Dance Day. The festival closes on Friday 10th May with a House of Suarezspectacular, featuring vogue artists alongside performers from all dance disciplines from across the festival.

Paul Doyle, the festival’s Artistic Director says: “We are so excited to bring dance to audiences across Liverpool. From Breakdance to Vogue, contemporary to tap, there’s something for everyone”.

Tickets are on sale now via leapfestival.co.uk

Programme

Ooh La La Cabaret
Friday 26th April, 7pm, The Black-E, £25/22

Ooh La La Cabaret presents a night of circus, cabaret and burlesque. Expect high camp entertainment and death defying stunts from world class performers.

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Experience pop-up performances happening in museums and galleries across Liverpool.

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Schools and colleges from across Liverpool City Region have been invited to share performances based on countries and cultures from around the world, for International Dance Day.

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The North West’s emerging artists and choreographers share new work in a chance to win £1000 development fund. In partnership with Liverpool Hope University and Dance Consortia North West.

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An evening of performances by and for youth dance companies from across Liverpool City Region.

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Dockside Breakers take over the Black E in a celebration of hip hop and breakdance culture. This jam will be a competition for over and under 16s, with competitors battling it out for prize monies.

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Enjoy outdoor performances from some of the region’s leading artists. Sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool One.

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Sole Rebel CIC brings their community Ceilidh event to Leap Dance Festival. Dust off your shoes and get ready to take part in an evening of dancing and live music.

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A triple bill of new work commissioned by Culture Liverpool from female choreographers based in Liverpool.

A selection of new work by emerging talent from the North West, selected from universities and training schools.

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Worlds collide, as performers from across the festival take to the runway in a range of categories, with iconic voguing from House of Suarez. Hosted by Rikki Beadle Blair.

Tickets available via leapfestival.co.uk

The festival would like to thank their core funders, Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. With additional funding from Dance Consortia North West, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool One, Culture Liverpool, The Granada Foundation, and DaDaFest. Sponsors: The City of Liverpool College and Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Supporters: Liverpool Hope University, Archbishop Blanch School and National Museums Liverpool. Additional thanks to the 210 individuals who supported the Crowdfunder campaign.

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Notes to Editors

Leap Dance Festival is Liverpool City Region’s festival of dance returning in 2024 after a five year hiatus. Leap is more than a dance festival; it is a celebration of our city region, the people that live here and the diverse communities that bring our city to life. Relaunched by Chaos Arts CIC and brought to the city in collaboration with Liverpool City Region’s dance community.