Bullring packed as dance competition reaches climax
IT was like Strictly Come Shopping when the Bullring was taken over on Sunday afternoon for a major dance competition.
The event was part of the Break Mission x B-SIDE International Dance Championships Grand Finals held with support from Birmingham Hippodrome and Arts Council England.
The championships had been running since June 11. With categories including all four elements of Hip-Hop breakin’, graffiti, DJ’ing and MC’ing - the Bullring climax offered six hours of red hot entertainment for the finals which also served to showcase just how diverse modern Birmingham has become both on and off the dance floor.
There were loud cheers every time one of the dancers pulled a smart move, including those spinning on their heads.
Graham Callister, director of festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We were delighted to be working with brilliant partners to deliver a full week of celebrations with opportunities to see some of the best international Hip-Hop dancers at the Hippodrome and across the city.”
Danielle Bozward, marketing manager at Bullring & Grand Central, added: “It was a fantastic way to end the festival”.
The Birmingham International Dance Festival - the UK’s largest event of its kind - is running until July 3 with events being staged everywhere from the city main squares to Handsworth Park, Midlands Arts Centre and Birmingham Royal Ballet, Studio 5. It has been funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.
The Birmingham 2022 Festival is also up and running in support of the Commonwealth Games and also in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Fierce arts festival.