Event Categories: Dance

Tony and Ray Find Their Feet – Freedom Festival

“Beautiful, delicate and gentle. Perfectly balanced , perfectly done gents!”

A tribute to classic physical comedy, bonkers double acts and silent movies, Tony and Ray find themselves distracted from their job, caught up in slapstick, tomfoolery and other antics as they dance eccentrically through the streets.

Environmentally considerate: a show created from a sustainable standpoint. Props and costumes made from reused and recycled objects, no consumables used in the show, portable and transportable by train.

Other times and venues:

Saturday 31 Aug
11:30  Princes Dock St South
13:30 Stage @theDock

Sunday 1 Sep
11:30 Princes Dock St South
14:30 Stage @theDock

Circa Contemporary Circus: Eternity at Freedom Festival

“The whole show is an absolute delight to watch.”

Step into Hull Minster and see it transformed as it sets the stage for an hour-long circus performance like no other! Created by the visionary Yaron Lifschitz and performed by members of the globally renowned Circa ensemble to the magical music of Arvo Pärt, Eternity goes beyond the physical capabilities of the human body.

The talented circus artists of Circa explore powerful themes of love, death, loss, hope and wonder as they undertake awe-inspiring acrobatics and immerse you in a state of rapture, with the Hull Minster as a stunning backdrop. Expressing human experience in a way that will touch your heart, it poses the question: can circus grapple with the mysteries that lie outside the visible realm?

Eternity features two monumental works of contemporary spiritual music by Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa and Fratres, creating an atmosphere that transports you to another world.

Kukai Dantza & Brodas Bros: Topa at Freedom Festival

Traditional Basque country dance and street dance meet and share the street for an amazing and funny performance to show us how universal our traditions are.

Using the street as a natural space of expression, the performances bring together social traditions and have them meet in a common language.

“As a choreographer, it is a very attractive challenge to work in favour of this experience that hybridizes traditional Basque dance and urban traditional dance.” Jon Maya Sein

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra: The Nutcracker

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra presents this most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins…

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra: Swan Lake

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra presents the greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all.

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra: Romeo & Juliet

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra presents Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score, set in bustling renaissance Verona, this emotionally charged show features choreography that befits the world’s greatest love story.

Northern Ballet: A Christmas Carol

Northern Ballet brings one of the most loved stories of all time to life as the clock strikes midnight join Ebenezer Scrooge on the journey of a lifetime to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Travel with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future through family firesides, cold winter nights and the promise of a brighter future.

Qudus Onikeku | The QDance Company Re:INCARNATION

Dance Consortium presents Nigerias ‘celebrated QDance Company explode onto the stage with their exuberant Re:INCARNATION.

An ode to the riches of Nigerian culture, this dance, music, fashion and visual art fusion mixes ancient Yoruba philosophy with the rhythm and spirit of the country’s hyper-vibrant youth culture, bursting with pure and uncompromising joy.

Tamar & Jo: Sync or Swim at Freedom Festival

“Theatrical and artistic, with perfectly timed lifts and gorgeous flowing movements.”

This out-of-water synchronised swimming team of community and professional dancers move in perfectly planned formation – this lot take their sport very seriously but also break out into a playful dance party! Watch them bring a splash of colour to Stage @theDock as they explore the things that counteract the stresses of current times – community, connection, togetherness, dancing, partying, music and playfulness. It’s a synchronised swimming team with a twist – the twist being that they don’t swim and sometimes aren’t even synchronised!

The piece has been created over a 4-week period with community members, along with 8 professional dancers based in or part-based in Hull. The original concept was created for Doorstep Dances project 2021, and previous community version commissioned by Maritime Hull for Vista Festival 2023.

Funded by Arts Council England and Hull City Council in partnership with Hull Dance Move Together, Dance In Company and supported by Back to Ours.

Univers

Univers is a poetic sensory experience based on visual imagery and live music. A space to explore how even the smallest and seemingly most insignificant thing can change everything in the most unexpected way. A space where we can share the experience of our vulnerability and the ability to adapt to new situations. A unique and unrepeatable experience that is built and rebuilt over and over again, creating an evocative and immersive journey.

This show is aimed at babies and children 0-2 years. All babies, children and adults require a ticket for entry.

Let’s Dance 2024

🌟 Get ready to be amazed at “Let’s Dance” – a spectacular showcase of our dancers’ hard work and creativity since September! 🌟

Join us on July 19th at 7:30 PM for an unforgettable evening featuring performances by our fitness class, intermediate students, junior students, and some of our private lesson stars. Watch as they bring new styles to life, demonstrating their passion and dedication. 🎟️
Don’t miss out – secure your tickets now and support our incredible dancers! See you there! #LetsDance #DanceShow #SupportTheArts

Everybody Dance with Claire Richards

Join Steps superstar, Claire Richards, for the ultimate disco party.

This brand-new sparkling concert tour features the greatest dance and disco hits of all time. From Donna Summer to Dua Lipa, Beyonce, Chic, The Weekend, Chaka Kahn, Daft Punk, Whitney, Cher, ABBA and many more. Sing, dance and party with our sensational company of dynamic dancers, dazzling vocalists and pop royalty, Claire Richards.

The intoxicating combination of Claire’s powerhouse vocals and a dynamic cocktail of dance styles including salsa, mambo, jazz, hip hop and even rollerskating. This show is set to rival the moves of MJ, Britney and even John Travolta with hits spanning 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond.

Iconic songs include ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Don’t Start Now’ ‘You Should Be Dancing’, ‘Le Freak’, ‘Lady Marmalade’, ‘Everybody’s Free’, ‘On The Radio’ ‘Everybody’s Free’ On the Radio’ Could It Be Magic’, ‘So Emotional’, ‘What A Feeling’, and more

It’s time to put on your sequins and experience a night of glamour, sensational vocals, and powerhouse hits – get ready for Everybody Dance!

Qudus Onikeku / The QDance Company

Nigerias ‘celebrated QDance Company explode onto the stage with their exuberant Re:INCARNATION.

An ode to the riches of Nigerian culture, this dance, music, fashion and visual art fusion mixes ancient Yoruba philosophy with the rhythm and spirit of the country’s hyper-vibrant youth culture, bursting with pure and uncompromising joy.

Ten young dancers and two musicians perform the cycle of life with explosive energy, marked by the urban chaos of the Nigerian city of Lagos.

Paying homage to the wealth and profusion of Nigerian music, the show draws on Afrobeats, born
of an explosive cocktail of jazz, soul, funk, and traditional African music. In this mix of urban cultures, a reincarnation of the personal journeys of each of the dancers comes to the fore, marked by their individual signatures.

“A tremendous piece. The QDance Company’s ten dancers and two musicians command the stage with Broadway-like showmanship.” MONTREAL RAMPAGE

Free post show Q&A on opening night
Age guidance: 12+ (some partial nudity and brief sexual content)

Discover Dance: Speakeasy featuring Karen Hauer & Gorka Maquez

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are thrilled to bring their all-new show Speakeasy to Hull in 2025.

Expect exhilarating live music and breath-taking choreography with Karen and Gorka’s newest offering, which unlocks the door to an undercover world of elegance and iconic dance flavours.

From the clandestine New York Speakeasy to the sultry Havana dance floors and from the Burlesque Cabaret Clubs of the mid 1900’s to the glittering mirror balls of Studio 54, Speakeasy will be a delicious dance experience.

Mamba, Salsa, Charleston, Foxtrot and Samba the night away with this electrifying cast of world-class dancers, vocalists and musicians.

 

Black Umfolosi

Black Umfolosi performances are inspired by the traditional song and dance of their native southern Africa, with a beauty and enthusiasm that is unrivalled.

Their performances are energy driven and completely engaging, mixing a great gentleness of spirit and song with an exuberance in dance. Their trademark harmonies mixed with intricate rhythms, clicking and clapping are highlighted during their brilliantly choreographed shows with a full range of movements from subtle to vibrant stomping and leaping!

Their famous Gumboot Dances showcase the traditional styles and rituals of the South African mining regions and are a particular crowd pleaser.

The group formed in 1982 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, naming themselves after the Umfolozi Omnyama River –an area to which their ancestors can be traced to.

Arguably Zimbabwe’s greatest ambassadors, the group have toured the UK many times building up a lasting relationship with venues and their fans.

After a gap of 14 years since they last performed in Beverley the group are looking forward to engaging once again with people of all ages and cultures, many of whom are still their friends. They have a natural ability to communicate passion and feeling in their spectacular performances that thrill audiences worldwide.