Aerial Dance

[su_dropcap]A[/su_dropcap]erial dance is a form of modern dance recognized since the 1970’s.  Choreography involves an apparatus (e.g. trapeze, fabric, hoop, wheel, counterweight, rope) that allows dancers to perform in three dimension and explore innovative vertical and horizontal movement.

California vertical dance company, BANDALOOP, turns the dance floor upside-down during both indoor and outdoor performances that seamlessly combine physicality, choreography and the art of climbing on skyscrapers, bridges, billboards, and rock cliffs.  In the short video, SHIFT, the sport of rock climbing and dance are beautifully merged by BANDALOOP in three separate wilderness performances on landmark rock faces within Yosemite National Park, including Mount Watkins.  It’s a show of breathtaking skill and artistry.

Want to give it a try?  Everyone can experience the magic and artistry of an upside-down dance performance as there are classes, festivals and performances around the globe.  Just take a look, and check out the information/resources provided below.

Information/Resources:

Dancers fly 40 feet above the ground and dance on a wall in Aerial Dance, an outdoor performance presented by the Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies, Washington and Lee University.  If you missed the live stream broadcast, you can watch a video recording of the performance and learn more about the aerial dance program at W&L university website → HERE

Classes for Beginners in Boulder, Colorado.  Frequent Flyers® Production, a non-profit dance theater organization with a mission to promote the artistry of aerial dance, offers a variety of classes for adults and youth/teens as well as dance festivals. [July 29 – August 10 are dates set for 2018 Aerial Dance Festival]

2018 Irish Aerial Dance Fest (June 24 – July 11)  A variety of high flying entertainment, classes and training courses (beginner on up) at this annual festival organized by Fidget Feet, an aerial circus company from Ireland.

European Aerial Dance Festival 2018 (August 6-18, The Point, Eastleigh, UK) Aerial dance for people at all levels and ability, presented by Gravity & Levity, project-based, collaborative dance company

Les Rencontres Danse Aeriennes (July 16-27, 2018, Saint-Nazaire, France) Festival offers courses at different levels for adults, children, and people with disabilities

BANDALOOP – information on upcoming aerial dance performances and workshops, plus video of past performances

Yosemite National Park – Nearly 1,200 square miles of waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more

Watch the Dance Channel for more great dancing videos – entertaining and inspiring.  FREE To WATCH, On-Demand

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Feature photo courtesy of Mariano Ruffa/Pexels CC0