This Autumn has been a truly bumper season of dance for the Rural Touring Dance Initiative (RTDI) in the South-West. We’ve certainly achieved our aim of engaging more people in dance in rural areas with 4 companies performing 9 shows in October and November to a total of over 700 audience members.
In Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, North Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire over 450 audience members have also stayed on after a show to enjoy Iranian tea and snacks, Turkish tea, baklava and Turkish Delight, marshmallows toasted around firepits, delicious vegan bakes, lots of Turkish dancing, and even some arm choreography Madonna would have been proud of in her Vogue era!
Almost 250 people have taken part in workshops across the region from making ink blot paintings to inspire their own choreography, to creating a curtain raiser combining a contemporary take on traditional Turkish dance with traditional Bharatanatyam moves and costume. Of these, 200 were children and young people.
A further 10 under 25s benefitted from free tickets to a show at the Helston Gateway, a brand-new venue for young people in Cornwall. We also worked with Refugees Welcome North Somerset, community producers and Pride Festival organisers in the Queer community in Gloucester, dance students, emerging dance artists in South Devon and one young photographer in Corsham who used the opportunity to add to her portfolio.
One company spent a week on residency in Shepton Mallet but there’ll be more to come on that in our next brochure!
A huge thank you and well done to the schemes and promoters who really make all of this happen! Sadly, this is the last year of funding for this iteration of RTDI but while Take Art are busy working on what will come next for rural touring dance in the South-West, you can rest assured that there is an equally if not even more exciting Spring season still to come!
Watch this space for news of not one, not two, but three week-long artist residencies! Plus, another nine shows to come and see, and plenty of workshops and activities planned around them all. From Penzance to Porlock and Portland to Paignton, get ready for the Spring 2026 programme, coming soon!
Now it’s time to recharge our dance batteries over the Festive season or maybe get a little practice in around the Christmas tree! See you when we dance your way in January…
Other Dance News
U.DANCE Regional platform invites groups and individuals from all dance styles to apply for this incredible event, showcasing local talent and offering an opportunity to meet other young dancers from the region!
Saturday 14 March 2026 | All Day
Location: Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BN
Key Dates
- Deadline for application: 10th December 2025
- Application Outcome: Friday 19th December 2025
- Deadline for Group and tech info: 20th February 2026
U.Dance is a fully inclusive programme celebrating dance for and by young people.
All forms and styles of dance are welcome - whether you do hip hop/street dance styles, jazz, theatre styles, ballet, South Asian dance styles, contemporary dance, folk dance, you name it: U.Dance is for everyone!
