Lift Off Dance Festival is back to celebrate its 21st birthday! 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.
Initially started by Bracknell Forest Council, South Hill Park took full ownership of the festival under the artistic direction of Lena Dee from 2005.
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 on lena.dee@nullsouthhillpark.org.uk for information on how to take part in the festival or for more information on this year’s event.
Lift Off Dance Festival 2021
Shows and Performances
Youth & Community Gala 1
Performances by: Brakenhale School | Dancexite | Dance Phaze | Drishti Dance | Eagle House School | Elibah School of Dance | Innov8 Dance School | Moving Stories Dance Company | OFLAC | Shimmy Cafe Barefoot Dance Fusion | Sonder | St Mary’s School
Sat 16 Oct 7pm – 9pm, Wilde Theatre
£13, Members £11
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Youth & Community Gala 2
Performances by: 4MDT | GRITT Dance Co | Hot Steppers | Jawahir Bellydance | Illume/Nocturn | Reddam House Dance Company | Royal Steps | Senior West Berkshire Youth Dance Company | Silver Swans | The Marist School | WISE Male Youth Dance Company | Yateley School
Sun 17 Oct 7pm – 9pm, Wilde Theatre
£13, Members £11
For more information, click here. Book your tickets online or through the Box Office (01344 484123)
Lift Off 2021 Programmes
Below are the links to the online programmes for this years Lift Off Dance Festival.
Exhibitions
Dance Masterclasses
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.
Dance on Screen
Cinema
If you would like more information about participating in the 2022 festival, please either complete the form below or email Lena Dee directly.
Please check back to this page for updates as the 2022 program is finalised.
