DanceXchange

So I must admit that I haven’t yet watched a performance at Dance Xchange — which I will rectify — but I attend a ballet class there every week and I love it!
I did ballet for about 13 years, so, after 6 year break, I attend the improvers class. At £6 for 1 hr 15, which often runs over, it is very good value for money. The teacher Andrea is just amazing. She points out such simple little changes in my dancing that make a world of difference, and I have never done better pirouettes! There are also teenage, beginners and advanced classes, so anyone can give it a go.
Above all, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, so it is the perfect un-​intimidating place to try something new!

Been to The Patrick Centre before to watch my daughter do a Street Dance performance when she danced at Dance Xchange. That must of been about 6– 7 years ago now. So it really was a delight to have the opportunity to go back this week.
I was lucky enough to win a ticket to see Mark Bruce’s #Dracula on Thursday 16^th October 14.
Planned on taking a few pictures but the ususal rules applied re flash photography.
Tucked inside the grandure of Birmingham Hippodrome shairing the same welcoming reception area and bar space the excitement before the show builds.
When its time to take your seats you walk into a theatre that is inviting in the sense that actually do feel part of the performance because of the size of the studio.
I decided to sit on the front row.
Less than 5 minutes into the performance I began hiding my face in my scarf as Dracula emerged on stage looking hauntingly devilish under the darkness and very dim lighting.
(I had to self talk myself into — this is a show Shaz, its not real hahaa) oh the power of the mind!
I was gripped!
The music, the choreography, the make up, the story line, the acting and the singing was wonderful. The scenes where the vampires feasted on the necks of their victim was really done well as ‘fake’ blood dripped from their mouths and chests and splashed all over the stage (front row bonus). The dancers/​actors were all at arms length, I really felt part of the story.
As mentioned above the studio is a lovely size, the access to the facilities of Birmingham Hippodrome and the link through to Dance Exchange makes this a unique establishment sited in the midst of the bustlin Hurst Street.

Spun, lunged, cartwheeled, clapped, kicked my way through capoeira class tonight– love that Brum has this amazing dance agency in the middle of town– plenty of classes to choose from– inc ballet, contemporary, tap etc etc of all levels!

In terms of what DanceXchange offer in Birmingham, no organisation or company even come close.
Partners of the Hippodrome, actually located inside the Thorpe Street entrance, DanceXchange put on a variety of performances that more often than not, leave the audience thrilled.
As well as this, they put on a variety of workshops/​auditions and similar events that allow the audience to get involved and enjoy themselves as much as those who work with in DanceXchange do.
Overall, the project that both DanceXchange and the Hippodrome have put on is fantastic, one that looks set to prosper over the coming years.

DanceXchange is often overshadowed by its big sister venue: the Birmingham Hippodrome. It does have its own performance space, however, the Patrick Centre (incidentally, the first purpose-​built dance space in the UK outside of London), as well as a very different feel and programme to the larger, more corporate Hippodrome.
Simply, I’ve never been to a bad performance at the DanceXchange. Through them, I’ve had a whole world of dance opened up to me, in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre. As well as their own resident dance company, Bare Bones, they have a truly global and always excellent programme. As organisers of the acclaimed International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) they have now well and truly put Birmingham on the map as a well-​established and recognised city for dance. Which, in my book, is awesome. DanceXchange, your work here is done. Actually, no, it’s not — keep up the good work!

This is situated round the back of the Hippodrome. I attended week night lessons some years ago which were demanding but entertaining. More recently, my children have been attending Saturday morning ballet classes. The dance studios are spacious and the first time I came I thought of the old TV series ‘Fame’ but then I’d led a sheltered life as my childhood dance classes were spent in a dingy community hall. The teachers are lovely and there is no pressure but an emphasis on fun. There is no registration fee and you pay-​as-​you-​go each week which is quite unusual with kid’s dancing, usually they try to get money off you for a term at a time and there are no refunds if you can’t attend because you’re ill or on holiday. Parents join in with the first class on a Saturday for the very young children but as they grow older they go on their own. No pressure for uniform or even ballet shoes either if you don’t want to. They also run tap and other classes, check their website for details

This is linked to the Hippodrame. It’s a very modern looking building just round the corner from the theatre. Over the years I’ve done classes there the most recent one being Salsa on a Saturday afternoon. There’s a huge range of classes on offer most for adults ranging from ballet and capoeira to musical dance but most of the classes on a Saturday are for children. Prices vary but a lot of them are £5 for an hour. The staff are helpful and the facilities good. They could do with a café or refreshments area for the public to use if you’ve arrived early or are waiting for someone. My only moan is that whenever there’s a big production going on at the Hippodrome you should expect your class to be moved or cancelled so that the theatre performers have somewhere to rehearse but besides that I think the location’s good as is the standard of the instructors. I’ve never attended a class there and not got fit and enjoyed it.