Leap Dance Festival is Liverpool City Region’s leading dance event, showcasing the work of local artists, community groups and young people.
Following a five year hiatus Leap Dance Festival is back, refocused, re-energised and ready to bring the ultimate celebration of dance to Liverpool.
This years festival sees a number of ticketed and free events take place in theatres, museums, venues and on the streets of Liverpool City Centre, promising something for all.
With a diverse range of dance styles and events on offer, from circus and burlesque to breakdance and voguing, you are guaranteed to have a great time watching artists from across Liverpool City Region showcasing their work.
The festival launches on Friday 26th April at The Black-E with a night of cabaret, burlesque and circus performances, later taking over venues from The Capstone Theatre to National Museums Liverpool, with a schools showcase on International Dance Day. The festival closes on Friday 10th May with a House of Suarez spectacular, featuring vogue artists alongside performers from all dance disciplines from across the festival.
Leap Dance Festival 2024 Programme
Ooh La La Cabaret
Friday 26th April, 7pm, The Black-E, £25/22
Ooh La La Cabaret presents a night of circus, cabaret and burlesque. Expect high camp entertainment and death defying stunts from world class performers.
Dancing at the Museum
Saturday 27th April, 12pm, National Museums Liverpool, Free
Experience pop-up performances happening in museums and galleries across Liverpool.
Schools Dance Platform
Monday 29th April, 7pm, Archbishop Blanch, £8/6
Schools and colleges from across Liverpool City Region have been invited to share performances based on countries and cultures from around the world, for International Dance Day.
Liverpool Dance Prize
Thursday 2nd May, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre , £12/10
The North West’s emerging artists and choreographers share new work in a chance to win £1000 development fund. In partnership with Liverpool Hope University and Dance Consortia North West.
Youth Dance Showcase
Saturday 4th May, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre, £10/8
An evening of performances by and for youth dance companies from across Liverpool City Region.
Dockside Breakers: Boss Breaking
Sunday 5th May, 1pm The Black-E, £15
Dockside Breakers take over the Black E in a celebration of hip hop and breakdance culture. This jam will be a competition for over and under 16s, with competitors battling it out for prize monies.
Dancing in the Streets
Monday 6th May, 12pm, Liverpool City Centre, Free
Enjoy outdoor performances from some of the region’s leading artists. Sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool One.
Sole Rebel: Ceilidh
Tuesday 7th May, 7.30pm, Liverpool Arts Bar, £10/8
Sole Rebel CIC brings their community Ceilidh event to Leap Dance Festival. Dust off your shoes and get ready to take part in an evening of dancing and live music.
Triple Bill: Rowena Gander/Taciturn/TMC Collective
Wednesday 8th May, 7.30pm, Unity Theatre, £15/£12
A triple bill of new work commissioned by Culture Liverpool from female choreographers based in Liverpool.
Higher Education Showcase
Thursday 9th May, 1.30pm, The Capstone Theatre, Free (tickets required)
A selection of new work by emerging talent from the North West, selected from universities and training schools.
House of Suarez vs Leap
Friday 10th May, 7pm, The Black-E, £25/22
Worlds collide, as performers from across the festival take to the runway in a range of categories, with iconic voguing from House of Suarez. Hosted by Rikki Beadle Blair.