A place for dancers like you: Brighton & Hove celebrates the opening of its first ever building designed especially for dance
Brighton & Hove based arts charity South East Dance has opened the first ever purpose-built dance house – The Dance Space to the public.
A free festival of dance 16-22 July marked the celebration, with a smorgasbord of free dance performances, workshops and have-a-go classes, offering a taste of what’s to come from the first season in The Dance Space from September, and booking now at southeastdance.org.uk.
The Dance Space is a stunning state of the art, contemporary, steel-clad working dance studios designed by award-winning architects shedkm, and realised with the support of Brighton & Hove City Council, National Lottery funding awarded through Arts Council England, and a host of private donors.
Located in the heart of Brighton & Hove, the building is the jewel in the crown of the city’s new Circus Street development, which in June this year was awarded the prestigious Building of the Year award by the Architects Journal.
Providing much-needed creation, rehearsal and performance space for professional dance artists, and presenting a year-round programme of dance classes, workshops and events for the whole community, The Dance Space is a sustainable building for a green city too – one of only 10% of new builds in the UK awarded a BREAAM rating of excellent for its environmental features.
Cath James, Artistic Director at South East Dance, says: “More than a decade in fundraising, a huge amount of hard work and much appreciated support, not forgetting the impact of a global pandemic, has led us to this point and we are so happy to finally welcome the people of Brighton & Hove inside The Dance Space.
“Our vision for this building is based on welcome and inclusivity. We want it to be a place where every body will feel welcome to create, experience and take part in and develop a relationship with dance that brings them joy and feeds their soul. We can’t wait to see you at Our City Dances 2022 and at classes and performances at The Dance Space in the months and years to come.”
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, says: “I had the immense pleasure of working with the late Chief Executive of South East Dance, Jamie Watton, to turn the dream of a home for dance excellence in the city into a reality.
“A key part of the exciting rebirth of Circus Street, a once derelict brownfield site has been transformed. The bold design and central location of the space will add much to the city’s visitor profile, cultural offer and economy. I know the team at South East Dance has a place for all communities at The Dance Space and, as well as inspiring existing dance artists, will extend a warm welcome to everyone wishing to give dance a go.”
Find out more about what’s on at The Dance Space and book tickets for classes and events at southeastdance.org.uk
