The Spectacular Dancing Tent

A range of programmes will be on offer from children's workshops to tea dances for the over 60s, along with performances by national and international dance artists. The tent will be an opportunity to try something different in a fun and relaxed environment. If you have never experienced dance, then the Spectacular Dancing Tent is the perfect place to start! The tour is taking place in rural and urban areas across East Anglia including Christchurch Park - Ipswich, Easton Farm Park and the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds.

Highlights of the tour include a Lullaby Concert for the under 5s with the City of London Sinfonia. This will give youngsters an introduction to classical music and dance, and there will also be a unique performance of The Polar Bear by Los Kaos. The polar bear is a fully animated pod puppet, operated inside by a highly skilled performer - who controls all the movements, facial animations and also the live sounds. As part of the Children's Folk Festival, Morris Men will be dancing in and outside the tent, and High School Musical and Mamma Mia! workshops will also be on offer.

Some of our annual Summer Schools for children will also be held in the Spectacular Dancing Tent, which will provide a fun way to enjoy dance, make friends and learn new skills during the holidays.

Adult audiences have an opportunity to experience a varied selection of evening performances, with works by local dance artists such as Tim Blowfield and Maresa von Stockert. Sonia Sabri will be bringing Indian Classical Dance to life inside the Dancing Tent and the Cal'donias Swing Dance Society will be leading an introductory Lindy Hop workshop, ideal for those keen to learn the basics.

Other dance workshops include Tango; Egyptian Belly Dancing; Hip Hop; Flamenco and Morris Dancing. On the 30 June the Royal Opera House will be screening a live broadcast of La Traviata in Christchurch Park, and we will be running a series of workshops in the weeks leading up to this for the over 55s, which will culminate in a performance before the screening of this famous opera.

Dates and venues

• Christchurch Park (as part of Ip-art), Ipswich: 27 June - 12 July
• Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket: 15 July - 26 July
• Easton Farm Park, Easton: 29 July - 2 August
• Castle Park, Colchester: 5 August - 16 August
• Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds: 19 August - 30 August -- www.danceeast.co.uk