Students, dance enthusiasts and first timers were treated to some world-class lessons in Birmingham over the course of the week. Tango aficionado’s Julia Urruty and Claudio Gonzalez’s class was on fire. Total novices and more experienced dancers were taught the art of the tango by world-class professionals, and by the end of the class a mini milonga in itself erupted.

The next day more experienced contemporary dancers including BTEC level 4 students from nearby schools were given a serious schooling in contemporary dance by Havana based Julio Torres and Yanelis Manzanet from Acosta Danza. This comprehensive class began with floor exercises and ended with a full rep.

Finally, just before the Friday night performance, Barcelona local Facundo from Iron Skulls Co raised the roof with his break dancing lesson. Packed full with local hip-hop dancers of different ages and genders, Facundo had a buzzing room full of poppers and lockers by the end.

Pictured above the Acosta Danza class in full swing.

Dawn Prentice, head of touring was at the House of Lords to celebrate the launch of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016.

Sadler’s Wells’ Sampled production will head to Birmingham Hippodrome in the New Year. The forecast is rowdy as Sampled is due to bring some of Sadler’s Wells’ own va va voom to the venue with performances in both the main house and the front of house spaces including pre-show activities in the foyer.

The line-up is stellar with performances including Company Wayne McGregor, Birmingham Royal Ballet, BBC Young Dancer finalist Vidya Patel, m¡longa’s world tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Gallessi, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Faun. Therefore Sampled showcases some of the world’s best performers in an array of styles.

Pictured above is Dawn Prentice with Rosie Kay (from Rosie Kay Dance Company), and DanceXchange Associate Artist Roxana Silbert, Birmingham Repertory Theatre.