Irish Youth Dance Festival 2015
2015 sees the Irish Youth Dance Festival celebrate its 15th year – making it Ireland’s longest running dance festival. This unique and hugely popular event will offer audiences both new to and familiar with contemporary dance the opportunity to see the most exciting up-and-coming young dance talent Ireland has to offer – along with performances from dancers from the US and UK.
There will be a wide range of performances and workshops on offer beginning Saturday June 27th with free dance workshops at dlr Lexicon Studio in Dun Laoghaire from 10.30am – 12.30am. Free outdoor performances will follow at the Harbour Plaza at 1pm and 4pm with a free studio performance at dlr Lexicon Studio at 5pm.
On Sunday June 28th at 8pm, the festival will showcase national and international youth dance at Dun Laoghaire’s Pavilion Theatre.
Tickets are available from the Pavilion box office on 01 – 231 29 29 or free booking online @ www.paviliontheatre.ie. Tickets $14.
Friday July 3th sees the festival will move to The Axis Arts Centre in Ballymun with free Dance Workshops at Axis Dance Studio from 4 – 5 pm in Creative Dance for ages 6 – 12 yrs with American guest choreographer Ms.Toni Bravo and from 5 – 6 pm Urban Fusion Dance for ages 12 – 22+ yrs with Karla Holden from DYDC. Limited places – Booking Axis Reception 01 883 21 00
On Saturday July 4th at 8pm, Local, National and International companies from the festival will go on stage at The Axis Arts Centre to perform for audiences in Ballymun.
The IYDF programme for 2015 will feature dancers aged from 12 to 25, and offer a real variety of performances showcasing dancers, choreographers and companies from across Ireland. Dublin Youth Dance Company (DYDC), who present the festival together with company AD Mariam Ribón, is Ireland’s premiere contemporary youth dance group, and are known for their beautiful, passionate and imaginative work.
The festival will also be presenting work be international artists, including new work by Mexican American choreographer Toni Bravo, whose career has included experience with London’s Royal Ballet and with contemporary dance legend Pina Bausch. Some of her work with dancers here and from the US will be presented during IYDF. Ajos Dance from England, fronted by JJ. Formento who was DYDC’s first director, will also be performing during the festival.
The festival will also include a dance residency by Toni Bravo in collaboration with Dance Ireland, and a photographic exhibition by Irish artist Sharon Murphy.
Mariam Ribón says, “I am delighted to present the 15th Irish Youth Dance Festival, a very vibrant cultural activity with young people and attractive for all ages. It has been the most exciting year working with Dublin Youth Dance Company and the fabulous cast of 16 dancers of 8 young male and 8 female dancers. I can’t wait to see them all in action with all the rest of companies and performers at the IYDF 2015.”
The IYDF is funded through DYDC by the Arts Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and supported by DTI’s Centre for Dance and Dance Ireland.