With 30 years in the bag, Dance Umbrella returns on 6 October with an African theme and the highly anticipated premier of the DU commissioned new work by Michael Clark inspired by rock’s 'holy trinity', David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.
The 5 week festival focuses on African Crossroads, introducing full length works plus a programme of solos and duets under the banner of African Currents at Stratford Circus. You can get involved with talks and classes (we're keen on trying some African Dance with live drumming).
Of the big names, there's new work from Shobana Jeyasingh, 2 programmes at Sadlers Wells from Mark Morris Dance Group, Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre at Barbican, Jiří Kylián & Michael Schumacher (no, not that one) at The Place and performance artist Wendy Houston will be sitting at her laptop for 2 stints at at Battersea Arts Centre.
Unfortunately, there aren't as many free outdoor events this year - no dancing JCBs - but don't miss the needle sculpture at the south end of London Bridge.
Dance Umbrella runs from 6 October to 7 November. All the info and booking information at www.danceumbrella.co.uk
Image of the fabulous Melissa Hetherington of Michael Clark Company courtesy of Dance Umbrella
