New Horizons Digital Dance Festival  showcased two nights of stunning performances planned for you from a whole host of dance organisations, schools, colleges and universities spanning the West and East Midlands. We premiered on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December 2020 on our Facebook and YouTube channels. The event was free.

Ace Dance and Music Youth | Ascension Dance Company | DanceXChange’s CAT group, Dance Generation | BA Dance Students from Derby University and Déda | Flexus Youth Dance | Freewheelin Dance | Great Wyrley Academy | Halesowen College | Highflyers Dance – Shropshire Inclusive Dance | Kings Hill Primary School | Kingswinford Academy | ME Dance | Ridgewood High School, Stourbridge | StageCoach Walsall |Stagecoach Wolverhampton | Sterran Touring | Wood Green Academy, Wednesbury | Windsor High School, Halesowen | Wolverley Secondary School, Kidderminster

The groups were asked to share new or existing pieces that responded to our theme of ‘Performing in a Changing World’. We have been blown away by the commitment they have shown to the project and the quality of the films we have received. The participants have shown true resilience in delivering such wonderful work during this challenging year, they have shown real passion, enthusiasm and talent and we’re so very proud to be able to share New Horizons with you.

We’d like to offer our thanks to everyone who has been involved in the project, from the participants, to the leaders, choreographers, teachers, filmmakers, editors, hair and make-up artists, stylists, parents, carers, friends and family – without you the project would not have been possible.

Of course, a massive thank you also for the public funding we received from Arts Council England from the National Lottery and its players and to Mark Anderson of InfuseDANCE for editing the festival together. Finally, thanks to Walsall Arena and Arts Centre for their continued support.

We’d also like to thank Poole Hayes Academy, Christopher Whitehead Language College and the University of Wolverhampton who were part of the original festival line-up, but who sadly have had to pull out due to the Coronavirus.

Please Note – due to music licensing some of the sound content may be muted when watching on Facebook. If this happens please log on to our YouTube page instead. You will be able to see the direct link to the Festival film in the comments on the evening.