Grace and movement of free dance festival

Journeys Dance Festival returns this weekend with free public performances across 1066 Country in Rye, Hastings and Bexhill.
Anna Mudeka in dance festivalAnna Mudeka in dance festival
Anna Mudeka in dance festival

The festival, produced by 18 Hours Events, gives people an opportunity to experience - and even participate in - great dance in public locations.

The festival kicks off on Saturday August 29 at 1.30pm, in the entrance hall at Rye Studio School with the premiere of Manjusaka – The Equinox Flower, a new work by Butoh artist, Yumino Seki.

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Japanese Butoh dance is a form of avant-garde dance theatre. This performance lasts around 45mins and is inspired by a red flower which blooms during Autumn equinox when, according to Buddhist tradition, the dead and living converge.

Manjusaka Journeys at free dance festivalManjusaka Journeys at free dance festival
Manjusaka Journeys at free dance festival

Prepare to be entranced by a sound and lightscape, lyrical movement and and other-worldly performance where ghosts cast and ancient, yet futuristic spell.

On Sunday August 30 Anna Mudeka Band plays as part of Stade Saturdays (yes, even though it’s on Sunday!), performing what has been described as ‘sunshine music’ on the Stade, at 1.30pm.

Zimbabwean dance and music, with a dance workshop - which does include twerking - for all ages and the feel-good beats are guaranteed to keep you smiling throughout the afternoon. This event ends at 4pm.

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On Monday August 31, the Terrace at the De La Warr Pavilion sees two performances, produced in collaboration with Ramp Events. Sujata Banerjee Dance Company explores the roots of Spanish flamenco in Indian kathak dance and Candoco Dance Company Associates, Moxie Brawl, perform a brand new commission, bringing a flamenco dress to life, (based on an antique flamenco dress from the Bexhill Museum collection). Moxie Brawl is a group of disabled and non-disabled dancers who broaden perceptions of art and ability, placing people and collaboration at the heart of their work. The afternoon’s performances will be concluded with a kathak dance workshop led by Sujata Banerjee.

Mandy Curtis, of local event production company, 18 Hours Events and Education, said: “We have been supported by Arts Council England, local councils and community organisations to put on a free, fun event that brings an exciting variety dance forms to people across Hastings and Rother.”

For more information about Journeys Dance Festival and what’s happening over the weekend, visit www.18hours.org.uk, follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/18HoursEvents or on Twitter @18HoursEvents

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