A celebration of dance and musical theatre
What started as a local, council led dance festival - to showcase local Bracknell dance groups and schools - has grown, over the past 2 decades, to encompass a wide range of dance styles, ages, and abilities - as well as reaching far beyond Berkshire.
Dance professionals, students of dance and audience members come together for this annual extravaganza of stunning, cutting-edge performances, masterclasses, Dance on Screen cinema events, and youth and community group showcases. Whether you are a seasoned performer or theatre goer, or new to the world of dance, there is something to interest all tastes. It's a truly great way to experience the art form.
Each year the festival hosts several dance performances by the local community and professional dance companies, alongside a variety of dance workshops, cinema screenings, live dance performances broadcast from around the globe, and dance-inspired exhibitions.
Professional dance companies who have performed their own evenings’ work during the festival include; StopGap, Tavaziva Dance, Sonia Sabri, Jasmin Vardimon to name but a few.
The festival has grown in size and ambition since its inception and the Galas now not only showcase local dance talent from Berkshire but also dancers from Surrey, Hampshire and London and surrounding areas. The Galas include performances and workshops led by professional dancers and choreographers so participants and audience members get to see where years of hard dance training can lead – helping to inspire and give insight into the world of professional dance.
Each year, new elements are added to the festival to widen the appeal for those learning, performing or watching the events. This includes the recent addition of broadcasting live ballet performances from prestigious Opera Houses around the world.
Please contact Lena Dee at liftoffdance@nullgmail.com for information on how to take part in the festival or for more information on this year’s event.
Lift Off Dance Festival 2023
Shows and Performances
The Little Prince
Sun 5 March 3pm & Mon 6 March 10.30am, Wilde Theatre
£14.50, members £12.50, family of four £46
Adapted and Directed by Luca Silvestrini
An enchanting story of love and friendship for children and grown-ups alike, retold on stage by a pilot stranded in the desert. Based on the story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince is brought to life using Protein’s critically acclaimed mix of dance, humour and spoken word.
Winner of the Fantastic for Families Best Family Event Award 2020. Ages 5yrs+
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Youth & Community Gala 1
Sat 11 March 7pm – 9pm, Wilde Theatre
£15, Members £13
Groups from Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, London, and surrounding areas, apply to take part in these hugely popular galas – showcasing the passion that dancers aged 6yrs, to those in their 80s, have for different styles of dance.
Youth groups, community groups, schools and special guest professional dancers come together to present an evening of dance entertainment for families and dance enthusiasts alike. See the website for full listings of groups taking part in each gala.
Featuring:
St Joseph’s School, ILLUMÉ, Indigo Movement Company, Platform YP, LVS Ascot Junior Elite Dance Group, Maggie Monk School of Dancing, Elibah School of Dance, Hampshire Youth Dance Company, ACE Dance Company, Waingels, Newland Girls School, Orb Youth Dance Company, Dance Inspired – Royal Steps & The Hop Steppers, OFLAC, Zambesi Dance Company, The Jenny Thomas Jazzettes
All proceeds in support of South Hill Park’s fundraising campaign
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Youth & Community Gala 2
Sun 12 March 7pm – 9pm, Wilde Theatre
£15, Members £13
Groups from Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, London, and surrounding areas, apply to take part in these hugely popular galas – showcasing the passion that dancers aged 6yrs, to those in their 80s, have for different styles of dance.
Youth groups, community groups, schools and special guest professional dancers come together to present an evening of dance entertainment for families and dance enthusiasts alike. See the website for full listings of groups taking part in each gala.
Featuring:
SHIMMY CAFÉ barefoot dance fusion, Thrive Youth Dance Company, BCDCY Legends, Drishti Dance, Reading School of Dance, Senior West Berkshire Youth Dance Company, We Love To Dance, Guildford Youth Company (StopGap), Stage Troupe | Street Troupe, FuzzyLogic, Artemis College & Legion, Sonder Dance Company, Eagle House School, Jordan James Bridge, St Mary’s School Ascot, Moving Stories Dance Company, Dance Phaze
All proceeds in support of South Hill Park’s fundraising campaign
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Romeo & Juliet
Sun 19 March 3pm, Wilde Theatre
£22.50, members £20.50, U16s £13.50
A passionate portrayal of one of the world’s greatest love stories, Romeo and Juliet.
This theatrical production tells the fateful romance of star-crossed lovers with astonishing grace and heart-breaking intimacy. Stunning costumes and innovative stage sets transport you to Renaissance Verona where our tragic tale unfolds of the Capulet and Montague families.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Tavaziva Dance, Boy’s Khaya. Photographer: Foteini Christofilopoulou
Dance Masterclasses
Sat 11 – Sun 12 March
£6 each
A series of masterclasses, led by professional dancers and choreographers, covering various styles including contemporary, ballet, commercial, street dance, jazz and more. Open to all ages and abilities.
Street Dance with Zoe Warboys
Sat 11 March 1-2pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: All ages but some experience will be helpful
Zoe has been teaching dance for youth and adult programs in schools across Berkshire for over 30 years. She has choreographed for multiple dance companies and has headed up the dance department at St Marys School in Ascot for 25 years.
This masterclass will push you to be dynamic and powerful with fun, exciting choreography to challenge and inspire you. We will combine old school street with commercial flavours giving you something a bit different to take home.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Charleston with Hannah Batley, Jenny Thomas Jazzettes
Sat 11 March 3.15-4.15pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: Open level but be ready to get energetic!
Hannah is back following her hugely popular and energetic masterclass last year. Experience authentic 1920s Charleston moves that get your feet swivelling and your body bouncing to the infectious jazz music. Learn a Charleston routine choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Jenny Thomas.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Contact Contemporary with Laura Kelleher-Byrne, Ace Dance Studios
Sat 11 March 4.30-5.30pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: Open level but be ready to get energetic!
Artistic Director of ACE Dance Studios, Laura Kelleher-Byrne has over 20 years experience in teaching and performing contemporary dance and a whole lifetime of classical dance study proceeding that. At ACE, our training is predominantly in contact and floor bound practice, exploring fast paced movement which seamlessly moves across the floor. This masterclass welcomes Laura and her ACE Team of professionals to guide you through a high energy, explosive class in typical ‘ACE’ style and promises to be filled with fun!
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Street Dance with Zoe Warboys
Sun 12 March 2-3pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: All ages but some experience will be helpful
Zoe has been teaching dance for youth and adult programs in schools across Berkshire for over 30 years. She has choreographed for multiple dance companies and has headed up the dance department at St Marys School in Ascot for 25 years.
This masterclass will push you to be dynamic and powerful with fun, exciting choreography to challenge and inspire you. We will combine old school street with commercial flavours giving you something a bit different to take home.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Lyrical Contemporary with Sarah Martin, West Berkshire Youth Dance Company
Sun 12 March 3.15-4.15pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: Open level but some experience will be helpful
Join Sarah Martin, Artistic Director of West Berkshire Youth Dance Company, for a lyrical contemporary class. Sarah will teach you choreography and technical steps, whilst encouraging you to influence the movements with your own style and feelings. The class will allow you to achieve new technique and knowledge of lyrical contemporary in a supportive and inspiring environment. Sarah is an experienced choreographer and teacher, having been Artistic Director of West Berkshire Youth Dance Company for 11 years and previously being the contemporary tutor at Read College.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Contact/Contemporary with Alex Evens, Fuzzylogic
Sun 12 March 4.30-5.30pm
Dance Studio
Suitable: Open level but some good grounding in Contemporary dance will be helpful
From Southampton, Alex Evens is an experienced performer, rehearsal director and facilitator. His professional dance credits include performing throughout central Europe with Company Chameleon as well as the professional Zoielogic productions “Ride”, “Heist” and “Sleuth”.
Our workshops cover engaging the group in warm up games and activities including creative tasks, supporting them through the foundation of contact work and offering lifts and movements to create short duet.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Cinema | Dance on Screen
A season of live ballet screenings by The Royal Ballet in collaboration with The Royal Opera House.
Royal Opera House Live – Ballet
Cinderella
Wed 12 April 7.15pm LIVE | Sun 16 April 2pm ENCORE
Cert 12A
180 mins approx, intervals tbc
Frederick Ashton’s timeless reworking of Charles Perrault’s famous rags-to-riches story returns, showcasing the choreographer’s deft musicality and the beauty of Prokofiev’s transcendent score.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Royal Opera House Live – Ballet
The Sleeping Beauty
Wed 24 May 7.15pm LIVE | Sun 28 May 2pm ENCORE
Cert 12A
205 mins incl 2 intervals
Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s ravishing music and Oliver Messel’s sumptuous fairy tale designs with this true gem from the classical ballet repertory.
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Please check back to this page for updates as the program is finalised.