Arts Council England
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The Nation warms up for this summer’s Big Dance

Arts Council England is asking everyone to get into the swing of Big Dance 2008 - a weeklong celebration of dance from 5 -13 July.

From ballroom to breakdance, hornpipe to hip hop and square dance to salsa, dance in all its forms will take over England’s streets, parks and cultural venues.

Whether a dance fan, a recent convert or just curious, Big Dance 2008 will have something for you. You can be part of a record breaking salsa dance on Gateshead Quayside, see a performance of Hofesh Shechter's celebrated work Uprising in the East, or join in with the Big Dance Mat Festival in Derby.

To find out how to get involved, host your own Big Dance event or what is happening in your area, log on to www.bigdance.org.uk.

Over the next three years Arts Council England will invest more than £143million in dance in England, making great dance available and accessible for everyone. Big Dance 2008 will help encourage more people to take part in, watch and enjoy the great dance opportunities that exist across England.

Janet Archer, Director, Dance Strategy, Arts Council England said: “Dance is a fantastic way of stretching our imaginations as well as our bodies. It is becoming ever more popular as an activity to do and to see and can benefit your health as well as your social life! I am looking forward to seeing everyone across the country getting out to dance this July”.


For further information contact:
Emma Russell, Media Relations Officer, Arts Council England 020 7973 6890/ emma.russell@artscouncil.org.uk

Notes for editors:

1. Big Dance is a campaign to promote dance in all its forms, showcasing innovative dance event across England. Big Dance will take place from 5-13 July and there are many opportunities for public participation. This campaign is led nationally by Arts Council England and in partnership with the Mayor of London’s office in the Capital.

2. Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives.

As the national development agency for the arts, we support a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts.

Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves, and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.

Between 2008 and 2011, we will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.

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