Event type: Dance

Twelve Bells #003: Just Her

Twelve Bells #003: Just Her with support from Benj Aitch and Lee Reed

Just Her sets are wondrous occasions. With a unique ability to move your feet and heart in equal measure, she crafts her own brand of emotive house music, spreading joy on dancefloors, festival fields and beach parties across the world.

Just Her is on a mission to make the industry humble again and the world a happier and more peaceful place via those moments of euphoria on the dance floor. Her killer hooks, emotive melodies and strong lyrical messages are exactly what the world needs right now.

On sale now.

Blueberry Moon at Mersey Swing

It’s been a while since we’ve had a band on at Mersey Swing so we’re so excited to welcome the amazing Blueberry Moon to our Wednesday night social! You’ll have seen these two brilliant musicians playing around Liverpool and now we get them all to ourselves. https://www.instagram.com/blueberrymoon.duet/

The classes will still be on as usual, we’ll just have some lovely live music to dance to in the social. 

Beginners taster: 6.45pm

Main Class: 7pm

Social with Blueberry Moon: 8pm

£5.50 on the door, no need to book in advance.

(Please note the social without the classes will also be £5.50 for this event only)

 

 

Leap Dance Festival 2026

 

 

Leap Dance Festival returns for 2026 with a programme showcasing the work of local artists, community groups and young people. Ths year, they’re bringing back some of their most popular events, including Dancing at the Palm House, our Schools and Youth platforms and Dancing in the Streets.

See below for the full programme of events.

YOU & US | Cathy Waller Dance –  The Capstone Theatre, Fri 24 April, 7.30pm

An emotionally powerful contemporary dance work exploring invisible disability, identity and belonging, set to an original soundtrack by MOBO-winning composer Lewis Wright.

More info

Youth Dance Showcase – The Arts Centre, City of Liverpool College, Sat 25 April, 6pm

A celebratory evening showcasing dance performances by talented young people from schools and youth groups across the North West.

Dancing at the Palm House – Sefton Park Palm House, Sun 26 April, 12.30pm

A free afternoon of performances and participatory workshops featuring community dance groups in the stunning surroundings of Liverpool’s iconic Palm House.

More info

Schools Dance Platform: Dancing Through the Decades – Liverpool Lighthouse, Tue 28 April, 7pm

Students from regional schools and colleges perform dance pieces inspired by music and styles spanning the last 100 years.

Liverpool Dance Prize – Unity Theatre, Thu 30 April, 7.30pm

Four emerging choreographers present new work in competition for a £1000 development grant, spotlighting the next generation of dance talent.

More info

Queer Moves – Unity Theatre, Fri 1 May, 7.30pm

A vibrant evening of contemporary dance by LGBTQIA+ artists from Liverpool, including newly commissioned works supported by Culture Liverpool.

More info

Windows of Displacement | Toussaint To Move – Unity Theatre, Sat 2 May, 7.30pm

A compelling autobiographical solo blending dance, song and spoken word to explore migration, identity and ancestral memory.

More info

Dancing in the Streets – Liverpool ONE, Mon 4 May, 12pm – 4pm

A free outdoor programme of performances and pop-up dance activity bringing a wide range of styles to Liverpool city centre.

More info

Interplay | Phoenix Dance Theatre – Liverpool Playhouse, Fri 8 May, 7.30pm

An exciting mixed bill featuring internationally acclaimed choreographers exploring collaboration, contrast and creative exchange through contemporary dance.

More info

Shakespeare North Takeover – Shakespeare North Playhouse, Sat 9 May, 12pm – 6pm

A full day of dance activity including free taster sessions, new works-in-progress, and a creative life drawing session inspired by live performers.

More info

Big Burlesque Cabaret – Shakespeare North Playhouse, Sat 9 May, 8pm

The festival finale brings an 18+ evening of burlesque, cabaret and aerial performance celebrating bold, inclusive and high-energy live entertainment.

More info

 

Vincent Simone: Tango Passions

Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend, Vincent Simone, returns to the stage in 2027 with ‘Tango Passions’.

Accompanied by world-class Argentine Tango and Latin specialists, let the original Italian stallion take you on a journey to Buenos Aires and tell the tale of love, passion and lust set at the turn of the 20th century.

Featuring classic and modern Argentine Tango music from the likes of Astor Piazzolla and Gotan Project.

A sexy, steamy, passionate night not to be missed

Leap 2026’s Big Burlesque Cabaret

Enter a world of raucous entertainment as we close this year’s festival with an evening of burlesque, cabaret and aerial performances, in Shakespeare North’s breathtaking Cockpit Stage. 

Featuring: The Classic Tease Serving British Sleaze Cadbury Parfait, Ooh La La Cabaret’s Paul Curran,  boylesque artist Joss La Porta, circus performer Velma Von Bon Bon and The Stiletto Prince Rajan Das.

This is an inclusive, LGBTQIA+ event, and everyone is welcome (18+). This event takes place in Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Cockpit Theatre

Produced by Chaos Arts CIC for Leap Dance Festival

 

Leap Dance Festival Scratch

 

Three new dance works in development, created for Leap 2026, exploring identity, intimacy and liberation. This event takes place in Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Studio.

Taciturn | Women Holding Things  

In the rhythm of everyday life, their hands gather the things that keep the world moving. They carry the quiet responsibility of nurturing and sustaining the spaces where life unfolds. Within them rests a living archive of memories, joys, griefs and hopes. In their care, love becomes both weight and strength, something held gently yet carried forward. 

C(P)LAY | Price of Silence

What happens to the body when adapting and complying become the only way to maintain stability within a relationship?

Price of Silence examines the subtle and often invisible pressures that exist within unequal relationships. In many situations from intimate partnerships to wider social structures, stability is maintained through constant adjustment, and this adaptation is rarely shared equally.

Olena Hrabchak | Canvas of Becoming 

Canvas of Becoming is a symbolic exploration of personal growth and self-liberation. The dancer’s white costume represents openness and possibility. What begins as beauty evolves into visual and physical burden.

Produced by Chaos Arts CIC for Leap Dance Festival. Find out more about Leap 2026: leapfestival.co.uk

 

 

6 Week Beginners Swing Dance Course

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing! Join us for a 6 week introduction to Lindy Hop course. 

This course will give you the history and foundations of swing dancing and prepare you for our mixed level Wednesday night classes. Our goal in Mersey Swing is to get people making friends and dancing. Come alone or with a mate, and leave with your toes tappin’ and a smile on your face!

Please note: That this course will need a minimum number of participants in order to run.

The course is £30 per person, payable in advance and non-refundable. 

Straight after the last class of the course (the 21st May), we’ll be having a social dance at Live Wire to celebrate you completing 6 weeks of dancing! This will be a chance for you to practice what you’ve learned and to share this with other experienced dancers. The social is included with the price of the course. 

FAQs

Do I need a partner? No! We encourage everyone to get to know each other each week by rotating partners throughout every class.

What do I wear? A clean shirt, and shoes that aren’t too grippy on wood floors will be fine. Bringing a water bottle and a spare shirt and towel might help you (and your partners) feel more comfortable throughout the evening.

Where is is? 

Live Wire Dance Studio, 77a Renshaw Street, L1 2SJ. Please come through the pink door, ring the bell and one of our teachers will buzz you into the studio. 

 

 

5 Week Big Apple Course

A Big Apple was originally a dance where moves got called out from the front (bit like a barn dance). This Big Apple was performed by Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers for a film called ‘Keep Punching’ and has since became a routine in it’s own right. It’s fast, it’s fun and we can’t wait to get stuck into it!

Watch: The Big Apple from Keep Punching

Watch: Mersey Swing dancing the Big Apple in Liverpool City Centre in 2014.

Sessions will be at Live Wire Dance studio on Mondays at 6.30pm-7.30pm from the 20th April to 18th May. 

Please register for the full course via our website. If the course doesn’t sell out, drop in places will be available for £5 per class.

 

 

Angel Field Festival 2026

Angel Field Festival is an exciting week-long multi-arts festival at The Capstone Theatre and Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus, taking place from Friday 17th April until Saturday 25th April. 

Not to be missed, expect an enthralling and diverse programme of music, art, dance, film, workshops and discussion.

Angel Field Festival presents, Built on Bach – Neil Cowley Trio, The Loose Moose String Band & The Speakeasy Bootleg Band: A Double Bill Concert, Electronic Music Triple Bill: Ian Boddy / Sulk Rooms / Field Lines Cartographer, Liverpool Hope University Musical Theatre Summer Showcase and loads more.

 

Dancing in the Streets

Leap Dance Festival’s day of free dance activity in the heart of Liverpool City Centre returns. Enjoy outdoor performances and workshops from the region’s leading dance artists.

Expect to see a wide variety of dance styles and colourful characters throughout the day at Liverpool One.

 Produced by Chaos Arts CIC for Leap Dance Festival 2026