Think Globally, Dance Locally

A roundup of some interesting, off the beaten track, dance events in London this month:

Madame Galina’s Silver Jubilee:

Madame Galina, created by performer and writer Iestyn Edwards, is an interactive set that bridges a gap between the glory days of Variety and the modern daring of the contemporary scene.  Her show “Ballet Star Galactica” has been touring since 2001 and appearances include the Royal Opera House, the Barbican main stage, The National Theatre, City Hall Sheffield, Leeds City Varieties, the Lowry Manchester, Blackpool Grand, Norwich Playhouse and the Baxter Theatre Cape Town.

She hosts her own night at the internationally renowned Volupté Fine Dining and Cabaret Club.  She is an entry in The Rough Guide to Choreography book.  Her Channel 4 documentary “Whirlwind Guide to Ballet” has been broadcast worldwide.  She has performed for the British and Swedish Royal families and toured four times for Combined Services Entertainment to outlying military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• When: 12 May
• Where: Volupté Cabaret Club

Check out Madame Galina on Facebook and do not miss Iestyn’s “Office Ballerina” video:

Antique Dances presents Ingenium:

A three-night event presenting dance from six diverse dance companies, showcasing new UK and International choreographic talent.

Antique Dances performs at Resolution! 2011 Photo: Antique Dances ©

Created in August 2010 by Artistic Director Holly Noble, Antique Dances aims to help and provide emerging dance companies, of all genres, the opportunity to showcase their work in the beautiful surroundings of The Actors Church in Covent Garden, as well as providing a regular platform for dancers and choreographers to participate in.

Ingenium will showcase five new companies: Beyond Repair Dance, Maxwell Dance Project, Uchenna Dance, Diciembre Dance and Embody Dance, all hugely diverse in their work, choreography and ideas.

• When: 19 -21 May
• Where: Actors Church, Covent Garden. Tickets for Ingenium can be booked via SeeTickets.

Dance for Japan:

With the aim to raise funds for those affected by the recent catastrophic events in Japan, this full day will offer a dance marathon of classes for all ages and abilities. Teachers include Wayne Sleep, Roland Price, David Kierce, Denzil Bailey, Raymond Chai, Leanne King, Dennis Wonder, Milo Miles, Cleo Souza, Emma Lister and Julien Marc Roussel, covering Ballet, Jazz, Street, Musical Theatre, Salsa, Zumba and Pilates.

Performances will take place at 13.30, 17.30 and 20.30, and will feature English National Ballet’s Yat-Sen Chang and Crystal Costa, ex-Northern Ballet Theatre Principals David Kierce and Keiko Amemori, English Youth Ballet’s Emma Lister and Lorien Slaughter, plus Ballet Black, Springs Dance Company, Kinisi Dance Company and more. Full timetable here.

There will be a raffle, with prizes including Pineapple membership, Capezio sneakers and signed pointe shoes from Royal Ballet Dancers. Check out other goodies at Dance For Japan’s Facebook page.

• When: 28 May – from 10am to 10pm.
• Where: Central School of Ballet, London. Register in advance to attend by donating £15 as entrance fee at www.justgiving.com/julia-davies86.

Follow Dance for Japan’s Twitter feed @DanceForJapan28 and Facebook page for updates.