PEOPLE got to grips with new and unfamiliar forms of dance with a special ‘dance-a-thon’ as part of the Dancin’ Oxford festival.

Three different taster sessions were held at Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, on Sunday in the Japanese experimental dance form Butoh, Bollywood inspired masala bhangra, and contemporary dance.

About 20 people were involved in the three classes, many coming to try out one style and staying for the entire afternoon.

Dance artist Ana Barbour said: “I don’t think anybody who attended had ever done it and most of them didn’t know anything about it before.

“It’s quite difficult to do a short taster for this form of dance which is quite involved, so I think they did really well.”

Dancin’ Oxford is a six-week festival of events celebrating all forms of dance, including public performances and chances for people to join in.

Organiser Claire Thompson said: “It has gone very well so far.

“It’s been great for people to have opportunities to take part in a range of opportunities.

“We had a really good launch event engaging a lot of people.”

Other events this week include a performance of Indian dance, called Kathakbox by the Sonia Sabri Company on Thursday at Pegasus, and a talk by internationally renowned choreographer Matthew Bourne on Friday at Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street.

There will be a chance for parents to get dancing with their toddlers with a ‘baby boogie’ at Pegasus and a second dance-a-thon will take place at the Playhouse, both on Sunday, March 11.

For full details of all events, visit dancinoxford.co.uk Picture: OX50509 Andrew Walmsley