The festival offers loads of opportunities whether you are interested in taking part in one of the many dancing and workshop activities, or would like to join the volunteer team supporting the events and get an inside view of the incredible programme.

The Festival opens on 1st June with the first visit to the city of Morning Gloryville, the enormously popular immersive morning dance experience for those who dare to challenge morning culture and start their day in style! Their ethos of no drugs and no alcohol means that when you join their party, your body creates a sense of euphoria, ecstasy and oneness, while completely sober, awake, conscious and authentic.

It’s the ultimate, exhilarating wake up call. You can treat yourself to a massage or limber up with yoga.Once invigorated and fully charged, the morning rave is a fun and healthy way to relax your mind, shake off your inhibitions and plug into the collective life force of the dance floor! The headline DJ will be announced soon and tickets are available via the website at bidf.co.uk.

Throughout the first weekend, 2nd-3th June, there are free drop-in dance workshops in Victoria Square. Watch performances and join in with House, Waacking, Voguing, Swing with Swing Era, Northern Soul and Disco with Night Owl, all culminating with a fantastic evening Ceilidh led by a live band from Moseley Folk Festival. Celebrate local and community talent from Marawa’s Majorettes mass hoola hoop event to interactive family friendly activities.

A highlight of the weekend will be the Birmingham Dances Finale on Saturday evening. Choreographer Stephanie Thiersch and her international team have created a dance ‘battle’ that showcases the various dance styles in Birmingham and unites them in a shared choreography. A collective spiral dance culminates in a flash mob which will be performed to a crazy composition by Brigitta Muntendorf for live musicians, singers and a DJ from Birmingham. Together with the dancers they transform Victoria Square into a joyful dance palace. If your group would like to take part get in touch at [email protected].

Ahead of the Festival, the DanceXchange team are seeking volunteers to support all areas of the Festival from chaperoning artists, assisting with event and performance set up, stewarding events, assisting with family activities, supporting marketing activity and welcoming visitors to the Festival.

If you would like to volunteer and are over 16, sign up at bidf.co.uk by 20 May and attend a briefing meeting on either 25 May or 26 May to meet the BIDF team and find out about the festival and the volunteer roles.

Lucie Mirkova, Artistic Director Birmingham International Dance Festival said: “Our city is increasingly becoming a place where people expect and enjoy amazing outdoor events and want to be part of the action themselves and we hope we have created plenty of opportunities for people to engage with BIDF.

“Whatever your experience you can join in, from simply turning up on the day to give new dance styles a chance, watching performances, or even getting your dance group involved. And if you want to feel a real part of the Festival then join our team of amazing volunteers, we really couldn’t deliver the Festival without them!”