SUMMER FESTIVAL NEWS – GUESS WHO’S BACK?
If you are pencilling-in affordable, family, fun-filled events in to your summer diary then look no further than Tees Valley as one of the North-East’s best-loved entertainment showcases is back for 2023 and is raring to go!
The Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, which is celebrating its 58th year, will be bringing to audiences its renowned eclectic mix of energetic dance, storytelling, workshops and showcase performances, which are brought to the stage by top class dancers from across the globe.
The date for your diary is August 12th as the nine-day festival runs through until 20th August…hold on to your hats as this promises to be amazing.
This year’s event has received support from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Tees Valley Community Foundation, the Billingham Legacy Foundation and Billingham Town Council.
Just to give you an idea of the scale of the Festival the performers will be coming to Billingham from as far afield as Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and of course the United Kingdom.
The shows will be taking place in Billingham, Darlington and Middlesbrough across a variety of different locations with the theme for 2023 being ‘The Dance of Time’ inspired by artist Salvador Dali’s ‘Time’ sculptures.
The Pay For What You Decide scheme also means that people can uniquely watch the shows and then pay for the performance AFTER the events have finished.
This is to ensure everyone gets a chance to enjoy the arts even during the current Cost of Living Crisis. An advance booking of just £1 will guarantee your seat for the show…with collection buckets also being present within the venues for people to make additional donations if they wish…so you pay what you believe the performance was worth to you…for example, £1, £5, £10 [you get the idea].
Olga Maloney, Artistic Director for Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, said: “It feels great to be back!
“We are looking forward to welcoming audiences back to our shows across Tees Valley. We have some festival favourites performing alongside fresh and up-and-coming stars of the future in our festival arena.
“We are so lucky to be having dance companies flying in to the region from all over the world to perform for everyone. It will have people quite literally dancing in the streets.
“This year we have taken on-board the cost of living crisis and understand that arts and culture isn’t on the top of some people’s priority lists right now. So we’ve decided to come up with the Pay What You Decide scheme. Where people can watch the show and pay us what they desire or can afford.
“We can’t wait to see our festival regulars along with new audiences to our events and workshops. The festival is yours to enjoy. BIFF has been around for nearly sixty-years and we are still going strong!”
Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: “BIFF has been an annual highlight in Billingham for almost six decades and it’s fantastic to see it return to the town once again.
“The first-class event brings hundreds of performers from across the world to the Borough and this year’s ‘Pay What You Decide’ scheme means that everyone can enjoy the festival, whatever their budget. It’s a great opportunity for people to see world-class international dance here on their doorstep and I have no doubt this year’s diverse line-up will appeal to residents and visitors alike. We’re proud to support the festival and we look forward to giving the performers a warm welcome.”
BIFF 2023 will be kicked off in traditional fashion by the Parade of Nations, which takes place through Billingham Town Centre from 1.30pm on Saturday 12th August. It’s a sight to behold and savour as all of the performers provide a taste of what’s to come as they parade through the precinct wearing their spectacular costumes.
The other featured shows being staged over the eight-days include Juanita’s Magic Quest; the World Dance Gala; The Two Fridas; Mexican Day of the Dead; and a World of Weddings.
There’s also BIFF’s Children’s Club, International Youth Dance Workshops and Adult Dance Workshops plus children’s poetry sessions and the exciting Time Trail for Kids.
All of the Festival details can be found on the official website www.billinghamfestival.com – where you can also download the full festival programme.
Tickets can be purchased for selected shows at the box offices of Forum Theatre, Billingham and Middlesbrough Town Hall; and from our online box office as part of the Festival website.