The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a celebration of youth dance. Groups from around the country perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information.
The U.Dance National Festival 2023 will be held in Newcastle from 21-23 July!
This special event is presented by One Dance UK in partnership with Northern Stage, Dance City, Newcastle College, TIN Arts and NYDC (England).
There are four vibrant showcases of youth dance talent which all form part of the U.Dance National Festival in Newcastle this summer:
Spotlight on the North East
A special opening ceremony showcase featuring incredible dance talent from across the North East region.
Where:
Dance City – click for venue information
When:
Friday 21 July, 7:30pm
| TIN Arts |
| Aoife Baines, TeesDance Young Choreographer Programme |
| Liberdade Youth Dance |
| Annabel Livesey, TeesDance Young Choreographer Programme |
| Darlington Hippodrome Youth Dance |
| Division Dance Company |
| Dance City Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Graduates |
| Boundless Over 55+ Company |
| Dance City Adult Ballet Improvers |
| Dance City Over 55’s Show Tap Class |
| Dance City Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Students |
U.Dance National Showcases
Groups from across the UK represent their home region or nation in dynamic, creative pieces in a wide range of dance styles, including guests performers the National Youth Dance Companies of England and Scotland and National Youth Dance Wales.
Where:
Northern Stage – click for venue information
When:
Saturday 22 July, 7:30pm
Sunday 23 July, 5:00pm
Saturday 22 July – U.Dance National Showcase 1
| Shift Dance Company | London |
| Rodillian Dance Academy | Yorkshire |
| Lothian Youth Dance Company | Scotland |
| 4D Dance | East England |
| Chhaya Youth Dance Company | South West England |
| Momentum Boys | Yorkshire |
| Sterran Touring Company | West Midlands |
| Ground Breakers | North East England |
| Kalakunj | South East England |
| Danscentre | Scotland |
| National Youth Dance Wales | Wales |
| Northampton School for Boys | East Midlands |
Sunday 23 July – U.Dance National Showcase 2
| TIN Arts Young People’s Creative Group | North East England |
| Nic and Aoibh | North West England |
| Belfast Boys | Northern Ireland |
| National Youth Dance Company of Scotland | Scotland |
| Dope Male Performance Company | North West England |
| Shiamak Davar International | East Midlands |
| National Youth Dance Company (England) | England |
Young Creatives Showcase
Witness dynamic, bold new works by the next generation of dance makers, who have been mentored by acclaimed professional choreographers.
Includes special Curtain Raiser performances from invited youth groups.
Where:
Dance City – click for venue information
When:
Sunday 23 July, 2:30pm
Dance City Youth Company Curtain Raiser Performance
Dance City Senior Youth Dance Company Curtain Raiser Performance
Young Creatives Maximus Mawle
Young Creatives Amber Griffiths-Rowe
Young Creatives Blythe Hood
Young Creatives Bobbi Walker
Young Creatives Esme Peal
Young Creatives Isabel Ava Hancock
Young Creatives Esther Carr
Young Creative Chloe Olivia Fear
Groups who take part are normally selected via a U.Dance Regional Platform, held each spring across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
To get a taste of what the event is like, check out this video from the 2022 U.Dance National Festival, held in Birmingham and featuring hundreds of young dancers from around the country.
One Dance UK would like to thank U.Dance National Festival partners, advertisers, sponsors and supporters to make this special event possible.
