Taking place from 17th June–3rd July, BIDF22 presents an amazing programme of spectacular dance in the city’s theatres and a take-over of Birmingham’s public spaces with three free family-friendly outdoor weekends, plus loads of opportunities to take part in fun, inclusive dance activity.

Produced by Fabric (the new strategic organisation created by the recent merger of DanceXchange and Dance4) BIDF is presented this year as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and the programme celebrates dance from around the globe, with a particular focus on artists from the Commonwealth countries.

BIDF22 features nine world and eleven UK premieres, the festival also showcases newly commissioned work by UK artists and an exciting screendance programme with new commissions which can be seen online as well as on screens in the city centre.

Lucie Mirkova, Head of Artistic programmes at Fabric says: “There is just one week to go until Birmingham turns its public spaces into a dance floor and becomes a global dance destination – and we can’t wait! Come along and watch and even take part. We’re 100 per cent confident there will be something for you – we look forward to seeing you there!”

From Hip-Hop to Ballet and from South Asian Classical dance to Tap, plus a world-first inclusive mass participation performance, the festival will demonstrate a huge breadth and range of dance styles.

The opening weekend in the city centre is full of incredible performances with an exciting emphasis on opportunities to take part for all ages. The Festival opens on Friday 17 June with:

UK premiere of Mirage by Compagnie Dyptik, Victoria Square Friday 17th, 6pm & Saturday 18th June, 2pm & 6pm. Expect fences, barbed wire, rusty metal sheets and hanging flags as the backdrop to an energetic athletic, thrilling performance.

World premiere of Sense by Critical Mass, Centenary Square Friday 17th June at 7.30pm. Critical Mass is a creative and ambitious project that brings together over 200 disabled and non-disabled young people from across the West Midlands. In this new celebratory dance piece Critical Mass search for the elixir to unlock what true acceptance, inclusion and equality looks like. Experience a feel-good celebration and be inspired by new possibilities.

Deaf Rave Centenary Square on Friday 17th June at 8.35pm invites everyone to join an amazing inclusive party in Centenary Square. Expect a unique experience full of fun, good music and laughter, hosted by DJ Troi Lee.
On Saturday and Sunday it’s all about trying something new and getting involved as well as being wowed by the amazing range of dance styles on display, highlights include:

Tappin’ In – Brindleyplace, Saturday 18 June 2-4pm. Presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival and produced by Stephanie Ridings in association with Lou Lomas, Tappin’ In is a co-created mass participation tap dancing and storytelling extravaganza. Brindleyplace becomes the venue for the city’s biggest tap lesson and mass ‘shim sham’, a dance known as the national anthem of tap, as part of a joyful day of performance and dance!

Midlands Talent Takeover, Centenary Square Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th June, 12 noon. Some of the best talent from across the West Midlands’ communities will take over the Centenary Square stage with special performances from the Lazuli Sky Dance Performance Project 2022, Freefall Dance Company, Wan Sheung, CDOB, the West Midlands Centre for Advanced Training, Flexus Bridging Company, Shaun Cope’s Urban Fusion Group and more.

Raver Tots, Centenary Square Saturday 18th June 3pm. The UK’s biggest family-friendly rave where kids and grownups can hit the dance floor and rave together!

Folk Dance Remixed who will be performing their show Step Hop House across the weekend will also be presenting two exhilarating workshops: Ceilidh Jam, Centenary Square, Saturday 18th June 5.25pm, using traditional callers and mixing folk formations, Street Dance, legendary moves and freestyle grooves – from the Strip the Willow to the Electric Slide; and Maypole Workshop, Centenary Square on Sunday 19th June 4pm, a chance for all ages to get their hands on the maypole and dance together with a funky street dance routine mixed with folkie maypole moves.

Vogue 101 by JayJay Revlon and UK Ballroom Scene, Saturday 18th June, 7.10pm is a fierce, energetic and eccentric collection of Vogue artists, bring your energy.

Birmingham 2022 Festival presents Mobilise by Fatt Projects, Sunday 19th at June 2pm a huge interactive queer silent disco dance party in Centenary Square.