100 events in 100 places – May
These events have now been cancelled. For more information on the Centenary programme, visit our COVID-19 page.
1 May 2020
On Point: Royal Academy of Dance at 100 – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
London, England
V&A Museum, South Kensington
A display at the V&A celebrating 100 years of the RAD’s contribution to the development of British ballet internationally.
Explore costumes, designs and photographs from the RAD’s archive and the V&A’s Theatre & Performance Collection featuring around 75 original objects and over 80 supporting images.
Original ballet costumes and accessories worn by RAD founders and Presidents will be on display, as well as costume designs and artworks. Other items include busts/sculptures, sketches and drawings, as well as letters, posters, programmes, audio-visual footage and some original photographs.
Open from 1 May 2020 until February 2021. Entry is free.
1-3 May
RAD Weekender – CANCELLED
London, England
V&A Museum, South Kensington
The opening of the RAD’s display at the V&A will coincide with the V&A’s annual Performance Festival (25 April – 3 May), which will celebrate dance in all its forms with a wide range of special events taking place throughout the museum. The programme includes a special RAD Weekender from Friday 1 – Sunday 3 May 2020.
1-3 May
Centenary event: Berlin – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Berlin, Germany
Staatsballett Berlin
This celebratory event will feature CPD courses covering a range of topics, including CPD courses on exploring musicality, inclusion, injury prevention and dancing en pointe. Participants will also enjoy a reception with Gerard Charles, Artistic Director of the RAD, a festive dinner and a performance of Giselle at the Staatsballett Berlin.
For more information, visit the RAD Germany website.
3 May
Halliday: workshop, picnic, performance – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Sydney, Australia
Glengarry Girl Guides State Training Centre
Join us as we celebrate the late Halliday sisters and honour their famous ‘Ballet in the Bush’ workshops at Glengarry Girl Guides Training Centre, NSW. Take part in workshops taught by former Joan and Monica Halliday student Olivia Jenkins and enjoy a picnic and performance by some of our NSW teaching community. Free / spaces limited – booking essential through trybooking.
For more information or to book visit the trybooking website or contact Louise Cowie, Regional Administrator NSW/ACT on 02 9380 1906 or lcowie@rad.org.au
3 & 10 May
Into Dance Making – CANCELLED
London, England
RAD headquarters
A guided choreography project providing young people with the skills and tools to create, craft and develop their own dance work, using the theme of 100 years of dance in this special centenary year.
Visit the Step Into Dance website.
5 May
Step Around Town (Westminster) – CANCELLED
London, England
Greycoat Hospital
Uplifting and energetic performances, featuring the array of work that is taking place across the Step into Dance programme as well appearances by guest performers and youth groups. This year we are delighted to be working in partnership with Theatre Peckham and Bernie Grant Arts Centre as well as schools in various locations across London. Step Into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation.
For more information, visit here.
7 May
Step Around Town (Bexley) – CANCELLED
London, England
Thomas Tallis
Uplifting and energetic performances, featuring the array of work that is taking place across the Step into Dance programme as well appearances by guest performers and youth groups. This year we are delighted to be working in partnership with Theatre Peckham and Bernie Grant Arts Centre as well as schools in various locations across London. Step Into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation.
For more information, visit here.
8-24 May
Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival – CANCELLED
London, UK
Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) is a celebratory festival of art in all its forms – theatre, music, dance, visual art and all things in between, taking place in the home borough of the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters.
On 10 May, we are offering Boys Own Dance workshops in ballet, street dance, tap and musical theatre, alongside a talk by Royal Principal Steven McRae and the Project B Dance Challenge. Book Boys Own Dance tickets.
On 12, 13 & 19 May, we are offering Silver Swans taster ballet classes aimed at older learners, followed by tea and cake with the tutor and a guided tour of the RAD’s archives. Book Silver Swans tickets.
For more information, visit RAD’s Wandsworth Arts Fringe page or contact events@rad.org.uk.
9 & 10 May
RAD Centenary Pop-up event – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Orange (NSW), Australia
Orange Show
A special pop-up dance event showcasing RAD programs, students and teachers.
For booking and more information, visit au.royalacademyofdance.org/rad100 or contact Nichola Hall, National Marketing and Communications Manager for RAD Australia, at nhall@rad.org.au.
10 May
Project B Dance Challenge – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
London, England
RAD headquarters, Battersea Square
A multi-level competition giving candidates the opportunity to be part of a creative process and to perform in front of an audience. Candidates will be judged on the performance of a solo, choreographed by themselves, their teacher or peer in their chosen dance style.
For more information, contact courses@rad.org.uk
12 May
Step Around Town (Southwark) – CANCELLED
London, England
Theatre Peckham
Uplifting and energetic performances, featuring the array of work that is taking place across the Step into Dance programme as well appearances by guest performers and youth groups. This year we are delighted to be working in partnership with Theatre Peckham and Bernie Grant Arts Centre as well as schools in various locations across London. Step Into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation.
For more information, visit here.
13 May
Former Examiners’ Reunion – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
London, England
RAD headquarters, Battersea Square
An opportunity for former RAD examiners to meet with past colleagues and friends and to hear updates and news from the Academy.
This is a private, invitation-only event, but if you are a former examiner who would like to attend, please contact examiners@rad.org.uk for further information.
17 May
2020 South East Centenary Awards Final – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
London, England
RAD headquarters, Battersea Square
An opportunity for RAD students aged 7-17 years and based in south-east UK to take part in a fun, open level ballet class: the final will feature those who were selected from the heats.
Contact Sue Morice-Jones at smoricejones@rad.org.uk
21 May
Introductory Benesh Workshop – CANCELLED
London, England
RAD headquarters, Battersea Square
The Introductory Benesh workshop is a fun, practical, interactive and friendly introduction to basic Benesh Movement Notation (BMN). No prior knowledge of BMN is required to take part.
For more information, visit here.
22 – 24 May
Between the lines: The Art of Choreology: Benesh International Congress – POSTPONED to 30 April – 2 May 2021
London, England
Roehampton University
An opportunity for professionals, students and those interested in Benesh notation to connect and discuss the latest developments within the community.
For more information, visit the event page.
22 – 23 May
Centenary Performance Gala – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Jaguariuna, Brazil
Municipal Theatre
This gala will feature RAD affiliated schools in the area, presenting their own choreographic works.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Rodrigues: balletbethrodrigues@gmail.com
23 May
Centenary Performance Gala – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Canberra, Australia
Canberra Theatre Centre
A special centenary edition of the annual Gala in the region showcasing students.
For booking and more information, visit au.royalacademyofdance.org/rad100 or contact Nichola Hall, National Marketing and Communications Manager for RAD Australia, at nhall@rad.org.au.
25 May
Benesh Exams Discovery Day – CANCELLED
London, England
Roehampton University
Benesh Exams Discovery Day is an opportunity for all dance teachers to learn more about the newly created RAD Benesh Exams pilot scheme, one of the most exciting developments in the Benesh World, introducing the language of BMN to a new and wider audience.
For more information, visit here.
25-29 May
RAD Teachers Intensive CPD Week – POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Federal Academy of Ballet
An intensive CPD workshop week for teachers including an introduction to teaching pointe, flexibility for dancers, exploring musicality and more.
For more information contact director@raddancing.com.my
28 May
Pioneers of the RAD: Focus on Keith Lester (Webinar)
Online
The webinar will introduce one of the Royal Academy of Dance’s pioneers in dance teacher education, by briefly examining the context and career of Keith Lester (1904-1993).
The webinar will explore the key influences in Lester’s training and performance/teaching career, including studies with Seraphine Astafieva (1876-1934), one of the renowned teachers in London who established her school as early as 1911/12.
Participants will gain insight into the choreographic legacies associated with Lester, including his Pas de Quatre (1936) and other ballets created for Ballet Rambert.
Analyses of extracts from his Pas De Quatre (restaged for the RAD’s Teacher Training Students in 1970s) and his choreography for the Dance Education Syllabus (1973) will generate an awareness of the pioneering work undertaken by Lester as a pioneering member of the RAD.
For more information, visit here.
29 May
Taking Flight
Plymouth, England
Plymouth Guildhall
100 Silver Swans dancing for 100 years of the RAD. Taking Flight will bring together groups of Silver Swans from Hartley House Dance Club for an afternoon of dance and celebration with family and friends. This is a private invitation-only event.
This event is being organized by RAD member Linda Hesselden.