Dancin' Oxford wows audience in diverse street display

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of Dancin' Oxford, which saw dance troupes entertain shoppers in Bonn Square throughout the day. 

Director Claire Thompson, who set up the event a decade ago, said: "It is largely to provide a focal point for dancing in the city, and to engage people who wouldn't normally go to dance shows. That's why we have a range of styles."

The 44-year-old former dancer, who lives in Bicester, is arts officer for Oxford City Council which co-ordinates the year-round Dancin' Oxford events.

Above: Claire Thompson, organiser, among the crowd

A trio of dancers from Sole Rebel Tap, which was set up in Oxford and runs weekly sessions at the Old Fire Station, kicked off the event at midday.

Artistic director Hannah Ballard, 33, said: "Claire encouraged us to come to Dancin' Oxford after I started it five or six years ago. We are all professional dancers who trained in London. 

"We just love sharing tap with a combination of music and dance. This festival is always great, we always get old and new faces. It's a combination of theatre and tap, it's about story telling."

Above: Sole Rebel Tap

Social enterprise dance company Ajos, based in Littlemore, sent out its Beat Street dancers to body-pop and head spin in front of the crowd. 

The Oxfordshire troupe is completely youth-led, set up two years ago by 19-year-old Didcot resident Sergei Kundik. 

He said: "It's dynamic, energetic and inclusive. It's something we are passionate about, a lot of us are self-trained. I set it up because I thought dance was getting to much about business - with some dance schools in Oxford you have to pay certain fees or membership. This was to challenge that."

The group, often seen busking in the city centre, secured a £4,000 grant from Oxfordshire County Council which allows it to offer free classes.

Above: Beat Street, part of Ajos social enterprise

Carl Monzon, 18, joined a year ago.

The dancer, who lives in Oxford, said: "Our performances are nothing too serious, it's about showing passion and energy through dance."

In the group's under 12's class are Abingdon dance lovers Jasper Duffield-Hedges, 11, and 8-year-old Jordan Gillee, who both go to Long Furlong school. 

Jordan, whose favourite move is a front flip, said: "I went to school discos and started loving it. Then they started teaching me stuff."

He was told about the group by Jasper, who said: "When I saw them dancing in Abingdon Market Square I said 'wow I really want to do that'. It lets you express your feelings, you learn what your body can do. I've done quite a few shows - you're quite nervous but then you see how the audience reacts."

His mum Jenny Hedges added: "It's totally free of ego. It's very nurturing. For a boy you need to focus all that energy, this does that. They all inspire each other and it boosts their confidence lots."

There were other dancers who had travelled across the country to perform, including Hawk Dance Theatre based in the Lake District.

Josh Hawkins, 23, thought up his mime-inspired double act last year after graduating from dance school.

He said: "It's just been go, go, go. We do lots of educational work in schools and art centres. It's playful, dramatic and interactive."

His dance partner Zoe Bradley, also 23, said: "There's lots of them in the audience, it's a nice mix of ages as well."

Above: Hawk Dance Theatre

'Old ladies' Ric Taylor, 49, and Martin Long, 62, creased up the crowd with their wacky Granny Turismo act.

The pair, based in Yorkshire and London, danced on shopping trolleys attached to segways, wearing grey wigs and thick makeup.

Mr Long, who met his dance partner while they were both in the circus, said: "It's good fun and you get to terrify lots of young men. This is out third year at Dancin' Oxford, it's great. It's such a diverse audience, there's lots of students and people who get the joke. That's what's nice about it, everybody appreciates the act."

Above: Granny Turismo

Dancin' Oxford will host a free family dance session at West Oxford Community Centre in Botley Road tomorrow, at 1.30pm.