For 2010, LEAP expanded its normal March festival into a year-long programme of dance with the launch of the Merseyside Dance Promoters Network (MDPN) earlier this year. The aim of to MDPN is to maximise dance opportunities across the Merseyside area for 2010 and beyond. The first six months of the LEAP year of dance have seen an incomparable spectacle of dance taking place across the region including the first ever Liverpool performance from Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures as well as electrifying performances from Wayne McGregor | Random Dance and Candoco Dance Company. The months of January - June have also seen an unprecedented amount of local dance companies such as Movema, Taciturn, House of Suarez and China Pearl in the regions theatres and around the city at events such as International Day of Dance and City Steps. The second half of the year is shaping up to be just as special so don’t even think about putting your dancing shoes away!

Between the months of July and December, the LEAP 2010 year of dance steps up a gear, featuring many international highlights including the Chicago based Joel Hall Dancers, who return to Merseyside after a 20 year break, with their unique style of jazz dance. The evening will feature works including award winning In the Shadow of Nina Simone and El Gato Negro, using the music of Nina Simone and a House Mix and featuring other music by artists including CeCe Penniston. Joel Hall is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jazz Dance World Congress.

Continuing the international theme; former Riverdance star Colin Dunne comes to the city, supported by Culture Ireland and in collaboration with the Liverpool Irish Festival. MDI are very excited to introduce New York based Kyle Abraham to Liverpool audiences, a major rising star in the contemporary dance world with his award winning mix of contemporary dance, ballet and hip hop have catapulted him to international fame and critical acclaim. Kyle comes to Liverpool as part of the ManMade triple bill performance, with renowned choreographer Gary Clarke and Liverpool’s own Darren Suarez, who come together for one night only especially for the Homotopia festival.

Other highlights of the season include Club Fisk from Denmark who will give you the biggest laugh of the festival with their comic piece of dance genius ‘Forestillinger’. Phoenix Dance Theatre bring the World Premiere performance of their brand new show Declarations, featuring 4 exciting pieces of dance, to the Liverpool Playhouse. For those of you who want to push the boat out, “RUNWAY” - The Justice Vogue Ball is an event like no other in the LEAP calendar. Get ready to experience a fantastical showcase of high fashion, performance and dance, featuring some of Europe’s finest Voguers, Whackers, and House-Dancers - all battling it out for prizes and supremacy. Towards the end of the year, we celebrate collaboration with DaDaFest International10 and Homotopia in Guillermo Gomez Pena and Roberto Sifuentes’ politically charged piece Corpo Illicito.

MDI are proud to continue contributing to Liverpool’s Year of Health and Wellbeing by encouraging the people of Merseyside to get connected, take notice, be active, keep learning and give. The organisation is also delighted to continue their association with Liverpool City Council through Culture Liverpool who have funded 10 new commissions to support LEAP Year of Dance. Many of the 10 for 2010 commissioned artists feature throughout LEAP 2010 Year of Dance across a variety of events and include works by Taciturn, House of Suarez, Movema, Tmesis and Mattomica.

The second half of this LEAP year is going to be breathtaking, so try not to miss a step of this wonderful year of dance, brought to you by MDI and MDPN.

LET’S LEAP ABOUT, LET’S DANCE - A YEAR OF DANCE IS HERE! -

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