As Dancin’ Oxford prepares to kick off its exciting, diverse and dynamic programme this weekend, we speak to famous choreographer Richard Chappell about the innovative new work he’s bringing to Oxford.
First performing at the Dancin’ Oxford Festival Launch in The Westgate on Saturday, Richard Chappell Dance will then debut Infinite Ways Home on March 14 at Oxford Playhouse, featuring electronic music by award-winning experimental duo Larch and violin soloist Enyuan Khong.
“It’s a pulsating vortex filled with rave, magic, intimacy and euphoria, about everything we were missing during the pandemic, so it’s a very cathartic piece. But more than that, it’s about home being with each other, rather than a place,” Richard says.
“So it’s a very cathartic piece and unpacks the trauma of the past few years. Infinite Ways Home is also very energising, and the sentiment is easy to convey, so it really resonates with our audience because it’s been an emotional roller-coaster.”
So how does it feel to be back in front of live audiences? “It’s really exciting and we want Infinite Ways Home to be a celebration of that,” he says.
Before that Moving With The Times opens at Pegasus this Friday and Saturday showcasing the work of Phoebe Tompsett Dance, Excessive Human Collective and Night People Events.
To get in on the action, make sure you attend the dance festival launch on Saturday between 12noon-5pm where Oxford’s biggest annual free dance extravaganza is being held in Westgate Oxford.
Local youth dance groups showcasing their work there include Step2 Dance, Body Politic, TPD Young Artists, Mini Professionals Dance Academy and the Inter-dimensional brickies.
Three professional companies Richard Chappell Dance, Oxford’s Unlock the Chains Collective choreographed by Euton Daley and the international dance artists Joli Vyann, will also feature at the launch, while the ever-popular Zumba party also returns.
Further highlights includes a double bill of two extraordinary dance pieces Khaos & Hymnos by Chhaya Collective on March 10 at Banbury’s Mill, (13+).
Another one to book is THEM – Body Politic Dance on March 11 (14+) at North Wall, which focuses on three female survivors of sexual violence through hip-hop.
Or try the family workshops and dance sessions all over the county for all ages and abilities from toddlers to the Over 50s, beginners to the advanced, plus talks on choreography, films and workshops.
Dancin’ Oxford runs from March 4-14. For more information go to https://www.dancinoxford.co.uk/whats-on/
