Inaugural International Festival of Dance and Movement

Echo Echo has invited a special mix of international and local artists and companies with whom they have a deep connection to take part in the festival, which they hope will become an annual event on the city’s calendar. The programme will include performances of the international hit show Pandora 88 by German company Fabrik, the winner of several Edinburgh Fringe Festival awards. Members of County Offaly’s resident Dance Company Legitimate Bodies will bring their hilarious “peace process piece” Hanging in There. Echo Echo ensemble members and locally based artists: Bridget Madden, Oona Doherty and Sheena Kelly will perform a series of new works especially created for the festival; plus there will be performances of two imaginative and colourful productions especially for children by the innovative German Company Tanzfuchs.

There will also be talks, classes, music and more.

Artistic Director, Steve Batts, said: “The festival will let us continue and deepen our relationship with the colleagues we have invited. It will also offer the possibility for the professional development of locally based movement artists and others through engagement with work and artists that they would otherwise not have. Most importantly it gives us the opportunity to invite members of the public to share our passion and enthusiasm for movement based performance and its capacity to inspire, touch and stimulate”.

He continued: “Echo Echo’s Dance and Movement Studios on Magazine Street will be the club, the hub and the venue for the whole festival where people can meet, chat, drink tea, share ideas and responses and hang out between events. As the performance space has a limited audience capacity of 100 all the performances will be intimate occasions where the audiences will have the chance to be up close to the performers. Every show will be on at least twice to give people the chance to attend.”

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council, said: “Echo Echo have long been trail-blazers in the field of Dance across Northern Ireland and beyond. They are recognised globally for their innovative style and commitment to creating accessible dance performances and projects. The Arts Council are encouraged by the development of this inaugural contemporary dance festival, funded as part of the City of

Culture 2013 programme. We look forward to witnessing the thrilling and engaging dance experiences for audiences new and old, this year and beyond”.

Festival events are un-ticketed but you may reserve places at any events by contacting Echo Echo by email or telephone. Audience capacity is limited so please book early to ensure entry to the performances of your choice. The company welcome donations in lieu of ticket prices.

Echo Echo Festival of Dance Movement runs from November 8 to 16. Visit www.echoechodance.com for full details of the programme or telephone on 028 7130 8883 for event booking and more information.