Award-winning INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM (IDFB), announces ‘The Big Idea’ outdoor commissions for IDFB 2016

Following an open call-out which attracted over 40 ‘Big Ideas’ from artists and choreographers, DanceXchange is delighted to announce that it has commissioned and will be producing two thrilling new outdoor shows designed to bring dance to the city streets during IDFB 2016.

Zoie Golding (Artistic Director of ZoieLogic Dance Theatre) will create RIDE, and Corey Baker (Artistic Director of Corey Baker Dance) will create PHONE BOX, during the fifth edition of the month-long, biennial dance festival- a signature festival of world dance that is now firmly established in the City of Birmingham’s cultural calendar.

RIDE, is a brand new, innovative work that tells the story of three strangers hitch-hiking on an unknown path. Their journey is entwined around an iconic, custom built car that comes to life and reveals its own hidden surprises. RIDE will test man’s reliance on machine in a world of unpredictability as dance, mechanics and stunts collide in ZoieLogic’s narrative, contemporary dance theatre piece.

Corey Baker, one of DanceXchange’s associate artists and International Choreographer in Residence during IDFB 2014, will create PHONE BOX, a light hearted, joyful work that uses impressive acrobatic and physical movement featuring ballet and contemporary dance.   DanceXchange is delighted that Without Walls, a consortium of leading outdoor arts festivals collaborating to break new ground in the creation of extraordinary outdoor work in the UK, are co-commissioning PHONE BOX alongside IDFB 2016.

PHONE BOX brings to life a nostalgic British cultural icon, the phone box, and allows people to see everyday life differently as audiences will laugh and amazed at what they see. Corey Baker Dance has a reputation for creating ground-breaking outdoor work, including Headphones during IDFB2014 and Kapa Haka Tale at Birmingham Weekender.

David Massingham, artistic director of DanceXchange and co-artistic director of International Dance Festival Birmingham, said: “Both artists are well-known for creating energetic and thought-provoking outdoor work that appeals to people of all ages and dance experience – perfect attributes for International Dance Festival Birmingham that aims to include, excite, entertain and enthral audiences across the city.”

Zoie Golding of ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, said: ‘This is an exciting commission reflecting our ambitions to reach audiences across the UK. Building on our successful touring productions and our passion for pitting man against machine this will be another signature ZoieLogic work, appealing to people who may not know they like dance yet.  I have been imagining this work for some time, so I cannot wait to see it brought to life for such an amazing festival!’

Corey Baker of Corey Baker Dance, said: “On behalf of Corey Baker Dance, I am ecstatic that Phone Box was chosen for The Big Idea. For me it’s a great personal legacy following my role of International Choreographer in Residence for IDFB 2014. Through my work with DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome I feel I have a real understanding of the streets of Birmingham. I am excited to be let loose on them again and devise this exciting new touring production with the invaluable support of IDFB.”

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