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The rhythm of the streets

Lauren Steadman
23/ 7/2008

THERE'LL be dancing in the streets this weekend as performance comes out of theatres and into the city.

Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson may have helped revive the Eighties breakdancing craze – but the fact remains that most modern dance is rarely seen outside theatres.

An innovative festival aims to change all that by bringing cutting-edge movement to people who don’t visit traditional arts venues.

From Friday to Sunday, 11 performance groups from as far afield as Brazil will showcase their work in Manchester city centre, Oldham and Bury for Urban Moves.

They will be springing up in some unusual settings, from parks and fountains to town squares and shopping malls. Styles range from salsa and flamenco to ballet, hip-hop and even kung-fu – but all involved are united by a wish to work in unconventional places.

The festival kicks off with some sizzling salsa moves at Whitworth Street ballroom The Ritz.

Latin Lounge will feature music from dance tutors and DJs Lorraine Mason and Les Murray of DJs’ academy ManCuban.

They will be joined by tango act Frambuesas con Nata and salsa band Bourbon Y Tequila to really get hips swinging – and tickets will admit a limited number of people to free dance classes held at nearby Greenroom.

Lorraine said: "Manchester has a really good tango and salsa scene, with a great mix of instructors teaching all sorts of styles.

"Since we started teaching about 15 years ago, salsa has remained very popular but people have also started to combine it with other styles."

Lorraine thinks Friday’s event will offer something for everybody. "Some of our students are in their 70s, others just 18," she said.

"As DJs we will perform a really good mix of Latin music including tango, merengue and bachata, a kind of salsa from the Dominican Republic.

"It should be a great party."

Other highlights include French act Cie Retouramont. Billed as "an awesome and thrilling piece of aerial dance using skyscraper cranes," the troupe’s high-altitude antics are sure to attract a crowd when it appears in Albert Square on Friday evening.

Based on the knowledge that humans can’t fly, its piece Vide Accorde strives to create ‘impossible movement’ to fill the void.

This ‘vertical dancing’, the company says, is inspired by the objects, shapes and spaces which are part of city architecture.

Urban Moves was launched in 2005 – a project of Dance Initiative Greater Manchester, which works to increase participation in dance.

DiGM’s director, Deb Ashby, says the festival differs from other dance events in several ways.

"Firstly, it takes place during the day and in unusual spaces. And it’s a mixture of UK, international and north west companies – and most of the international companies have never been seen in Manchester before," she said.

Work has been selected for its suitability for performance outdoors. For example, Madrid company Provisional Danza’s offering, Calle 4, will feature a climactic dance under water, courtesy of a fireman’s hose.

Speaking of water, might the weekend’s exciting proceedings be ruined by the great British weather?

Deb laughs: "In 2005 and 2006 we were very lucky – but whatever happens we’ll try to keep everyone happy."

For more information visit www.urbanmovesfestival.co.uk. All events are free except Latin Lounge, which can be booked on 0161 274 0600.