Wanna Dance?

There really is no excuse. Having tracked down every dance style under the sun and brought them to Oxford for you to try, all you have to do is join in.

Yes, Dancin’ Oxford is back, bigger, better and more unavoidable than ever.

So why not give in gracefully and have a go over the next two months. After all that’s all the organisers want.

And secretly, isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for as you tap your feet to Strictly under the sofa.

With top performers, instructors and a host of free events on offer, there really is nowhere left to hide.

The young and hip can try hip hop or street dance, or if you’re a fan of classical then how about ballet?

For a good cardio-vascular workout how about tap, zumba or jazz dance? Those wanting a more relaxed dance experience could go Egyptian or get Latin-fever with Salsa, Flamenco or maybe Ceroc.

The more sophisticated among you might even prefer the Charleston.

Dancin’ Oxford 2010 offers opportunities to see dance for free, or have a go at nearly 20 different styles of dance for as little as £3 for a 45-minute taster session, as well as watching professionals perform at theatres all over the county, or on a street or village hall near you.

And if we can’t tempt you to get out and have a go, then you can rest happy in the knowledge that there is a whole host of events to watch on the screen or in the audience, from global professionals to local amateurs.

So now we’ve got you interested, what’s on offer?

* Why not start off with Dance Bites which kicks off on Saturday, February 20.

Five different contemporary mini dance performances in five different locations on the hour every hour, simultaneously across the city for free.

* The same Saturday night Tvazia Wild Dogs open at Headington Theatre at 8pm, an exciting contemporary African dance company feted wherever they go for their memorable mix of dance and theatre.

* The Dance-A-Thon have-a-go taster sessions have always been over-subscribed, so this year there will be three days on offer, with 14 taster dance classes from tap to salsa and street to Flamenco, on Sunday, February 21, Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, which at just £3 is a great deal.

* Pasion de Buena Vista at the New Theatre on February 19 at 7.30pm – is a music and dance phenomena taking Europe by storm.

Filled with hot rhythms, delicate dances and beautiful melodies, this bewitching show will thrill you with its three top Cuban singers, dancers from the world famous Tropicana Club in Havana, an eight-piece band, plus beautiful costumes and breathtaking projections. Tickets start at £19.50.

* Peut-Être Theatre is running a series of family shows with workshops attached at the Burton Taylor Theatre on Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20 – a unique chance to witness the fusion of dance and theatre for children and their grown-ups.

* The Oxfordshire Science Festival will be launched by a new dance piece by Step 2 Dance exploring the limits of the human body on Saturday, March 6, in Broad Street.

The dance group has worked with scientists to explore the body using street dance.

The results will be performed in public for free and afterwards there is a live class where fitness dance will be measured.

* Ragroof Theatre’s Family Tea Dance Extravaganza on Sunday, March 7, at West Oxford Community Centre was one of last year’s biggest hits for everyone from toddlers to grannies.

Just turn up, help yourself to a cup of tea and a biscuit, watch the displays, listen to the teaching and then have a go. Oh and bring your aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters and mums and dads.

* Arch promises to be a spectacular evening set in the grounds of Worcester College, when an ingenious mix of costume, light and sound will transform Oxford’s beautiful buildings on Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21.

Oxford dancers will perform explosive vignettes of art dance and music at the performances at 6.30pm and 8.30pm, and 6.30pm respectively.

* Film fans will love the series of Dance on Screen – three short films at The Phoenix which demonstrate dance around the world.

The event on Sunday, March 21, at 4pm will feature an international selection of dance films curated by South Hill Park, alongside the premiere of two short films made by Oxford-based dance film-makers, commissioned by OFVM Film Oxford.

Booking is in person or by phone on 0871 704 2062.

* Tangomotion is the penultimatel event – a classy, sophisticated evening of dance straight from Buenos Aires.

From virtuoso displays of traditional tango dance to the exquisite sounds of 1930’s Buenos Aires and the powerful nuevo tango music of Astor Piazzolla, Tangomotion features four of the UK’s leading tango dancers (who appeared in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and Channel 4 film Dance) with live music from Tango Siempre, and the outstanding Argentinean singer Guillermo Rozenthuler, this show will excite the most ardent of passions.

For details of a Tango workshop from 5pm - 6pm at Oxford Playhouse and a pre-show meal deal at Oxford Retreat at 6.15pm call the Oxford Playhouse on 01865 305305.

For more information on the Dancin’ Oxford 2010 festival see dancinoxford.co.uk