Dance City is delighted to announce that Newcastle will host British Dance Edition (BDE) in 2020.

BDE, the UK dance industry’s leading showcase event, profiles the very best of British dance to visitors from across the globe. Primarily a trade event where theatre programmers choose performances and artists to work with over the coming years, it is designed to stimulate and support connections between artists, promoters and producers from across the world.

Dance City’s ambition is not only for BDE2020 to reach dance experts but to reach out to audiences across the region. BDE will take over the city for 4 days, with dance in theatres, libraries, shopping centres and many other locations including some of the regions best-loved venues.

Dance City competed against many other cities across the country to bring this prestigious event back to the North East, having successfully hosted it in 1998 and 2000. Since then the cultural landscape in Newcastle & Gateshead has transformed with over £350 million pounds investment over the past 10 years.

Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI) – experts at delivering major international events in our cities are supporting the event and there will be additional support from both Newcastle and Gateshead City Councils.

Around 300 dance experts will descend on the region for this event in the early part of 2020 bringing awareness and business to the region.

Dance City Artistic Director, and Joint CEO Anthony Baker said:

“It’s a real coup for the region that BDE is coming back to Newcastle in 2020, and we’re extremely excited about the opportunities this brings for us to really shout about dance in the North East.

“DanceCity is perfectly placed to host an event of this kind. We are expert at programming professional dance, with over 30 shows a year in our theatre and a purpose-built dance-house which will act as the main hub site.

“BDE will throw a spotlight on dance in our region and we want to use this as an opportunity to bring excellent dance experiences to as many people as possible.”

The Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes said: “It’s brilliant news that people will be coming to Newcastle from all over the world to take part in British Dance Edition 2020.  This is testament to the fantastic cultural facilities in the city, the warm welcome we offer visitors and the ambition we’ve got to host major international events like this.”

Carol Bell, Head of Culture and Major Events at NewcastleGateshead Initiative said:  “It’s a real testament to the work of DanceCity and the strength of the cultural offer in NewcastleGateshead that the organisers of British Dance Edition have chosen to bring the event to the destination in 2020.

“We’ll be working closely with Dance City to maximise the opportunities hosting an event of this scale can bring, everything from animating the city during the event itself, and helping raise the profile of the talented dance performers here in NewcastleGateshead.”