27 Jan 06
The Mayor’s Office has launched the first ever London-wide DANCE campaign that includes events throughout London and on Trafalgar Square and with partners in the Capital and across the UK. With only 6 months to go, the race is on and we need your help in spreading the word.
The Campaign
2006 will be the first of what is hoped to be a biennial celebration of DANCE leading up to the Olympics in 2012. The Mayor’s Office will showcase the incredible range of diversity and excellence of dance/dance-related activities and provision across the City. By working in partnership with as many organisations and individuals as possible throughout London the aim is to deliver a week of dance in the summer and a weekend of dance on Trafalgar Square.
The Mayor’s Office is working in partnership with Arts Council England and the BBC to develop the campaign and is delighted that the DCMS, TfL, Visit London, BBC Blast, Sport England, Society of London Theatres & www.londondance.com are already some of the partners on board.
Big Dance will promote the message that dance is fun, cross-cultural, for all ages, and keeps you fit and healthy. There will be a variety of colourful and innovative dance events across the Capital all week in local dance classes; schools, sports & health clubs, cinemas, leisure & fitness centres and nightclubs & shops, with many opportunities for the public to have a go as dance studios, theatres, sports facilities, community centres, health clubs and gyms open their doors for people to try some of the best classes and performances London has on offer. In addition, a unique PR programme will draw attention to the Big Dance campaign across UK cities, in tube stations, buses, and other public spaces, including stunning world-record attempts like the world’s longest Cuban Conga-line!
On July 22 and 23 Big Dance will culminate in three major dance spectacles in Trafalgar Square. On Saturday 22 July, BBC1 will broadcast a one-hour show in primetime, with live footage from Trafalgar Square and across the UK, including coverage of events that have taken place throughout the nations during the week.
Proposed London Events:
- The Big Dance – the largest piece of mass choreography to be attempted on Trafalgar Square
- The ‘Silent’ Disco – clubbing in the city – with no noise
- A-Z Day of Worldwide Workshops
- 2 Minute Dance for all Londoners
- Tea Dance @ Trafalgar Square
- All London schools to pledge a DANCE HOUR during the week
- Other partner projects in development:
- Akademi – South Asian dance
- Baguley’s Warehouse - Roller disco dance
- BBC Blast
- BFI – dance screenings
- Big Foot productions - Gala
- East London Dance
- Greenwich Dance Agency & Greenwich Picture House
- Hackney2Havana – the World’s largest Cuban Conga
- Laban Centre
- London Youth Dance Network Digital Dance Photo exhibition
- More London – Dance in The Scoop
- Open-air movies – BBC screens
- Platform for Art
- Royal Opera House
- Sadler’s Wells – Carnival and Oogly Boogly – Lilian Baylis
- Society of London Theatres – Billy Elliott School
- Somerset House – Free time
- South Bank centre
- National Campaign for the Arts to launch the first Manifesto for Dance
How can I/my organisation take part? - Organise an event as part of the Big Dance week - A toolkit will be provided - press releases, logos and specifications on how they should be used, plus templates for posters, to promote local events with the Big Dance identity
- Be part of a new world record by joining The Big Dance – the largest piece of mass choreography to be attempted on Trafalgar Square
- Join a number of world record breaking attempts – World’s largest Cuban Conga,
- Participate in the events taking place across the capital
- Lead a workshop
- Do a performance
- Open your doors
- Register to here regular updates about the Big Dance programme
The benefits of taking part in the Big Dance Big Dance will be free for all to take part and the Mayor’s Office in partnership with the Arts Council, BBC, Visit London, the DCMS, TfL, Sport England & www.londondance.com will provide an extensive umbrella marketing for the whole campaign. The Trafalgar Square live events are expected to attract 60,000 participants. Over 1/2 million people are expected to participate in the full programme of events across the UK during the week. 3 million people will be exposed to the sizeable Big Dance marketing campaign in London, with an additional reach across the UK via use of the Big Dance identity by partners, and via the BBC1 live broadcast.
- Website
- Dedicated Dance Guide
- Posters on TfL transport
- Mayor’s Office Press Campaign
- Visit London website and Londondance.com website
- Marketing tool kit
- Regular updates via e-group and meetings
Key Dates
Jan 2006 Launch the Big Dance
February/March Partners Meeting
Feb - April 2006 Develop Big Dance plans
21-23 April 2006 Move It Exhibition at Olympia
May Early - Likely deadline for Guide and any PR materials
June Mid – commence PR Campaign
15 – 23 July The Big Dance Campaign
Register your interest
Contact: Tim Tubbs or Sara-Ellen Williams
Email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7258 0767
Website: www.london.gov.uk/mayor/bigdance
