The Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, which is celebrating its 58th year, will be bringing its mix of energetic dance, storytelling, workshops, and showcase performances to audiences.
The nine-day festival runs from Saturday, August 12 to Sunday, August 20.
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.
As well as British performers, audiences will also see dancers coming to Billingham from as far afield as Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and of course the United Kingdom.
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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 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, given the current cost-of-living-crisis.
An advance booking of £1 will guarantee your seat for the show, with collection buckets present within venues for people to make additional donations if they wish.
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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!”
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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, August 12.
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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 is also BIFF's Children's Club, International Youth Dance Workshops, and Adult Dance Workshops, as well as children’s poetry sessions and the exciting Time Trail for Kids.
Further details can be found on the official website www.billinghamfestival.com.
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.
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