From October 9 to 31, the contemporary dance festival Dance Umbrella is taking over the city, from the Barbican to the Southbank, including Sadler’s Wells, The Place and Brixton House. Known for introducing the most promising dance makers to the London scene, this is your opportunity to see international works premiering in the city.

Adam Seid Tahir performing in several attempts at braiding my way home
Credit Amina Seid Tahir
Since its inception in 1978, Dance Umbrella's mission has been—and continues to be—to showcase the breadth of artists from the global majority, who at the time were rarely part of the conversation. For Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Artistic Director and Co-Chief Executive at Dance Umbrella, "what's important is making audiences aware that contemporary dance is not 'just one thing'." He emphasises that it's all about nuances, adding that "in a global city like London, which thrives on bringing together that multiplicity of nuances, Dance Umbrella is innovative for showcasing a multitude of styles and languages beyond the Western canon."
During our conversation, when asked where one should start if they’re not a contemporary dance expert, Freddie emphasised that it’s all about curiosity. Dance Umbrella aims to spark conversations, featuring artists who are shifting the narrative with works that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. This year’s programme will explore themes of transformation, reflection, and representation.
Among the seven live performances to catch, the festival opens with South African choreographer Mamela Nyamza, known for her activist-driven work that combines Western classical dance with powerful South African vocals to explore gender norms. Also featured is the contemporary dance and physical theatre collective POCKETART, presenting a piece that delves into themes of femininity, identity, and self-discovery. Additionally, Sweden-based artists Adam Seid Tahir and Amina Seid Tahir create a show that blends dance and visual art, drawing from Black feminism and marine mammals to celebrate their multiplicities as queer Afro-Nordic siblings.
Aware that ticket prices can often exclude a large portion of the audience, the festival offers thoughtfully priced tickets and a “pay what you can” digital programme for its fourth year. This approach aims to remain open and invites a wider audience to experience contemporary dance. Freddie encourages attendees to dive in fully—see multiple shows, discuss them, and connect with others while at the festival. As he puts it, “It’s not about dance as a practice, but a bigger movement,” ensuring that every performance will leave audiences with something to think about long after they leave the theatre.
Dates: 9 October to 31 October
Tickets: Starting from £12.00
Full Programme: Here
This article was written in partnership with Dance Umbrella. We only collaborate with organisations that align with our values, and you can trust that we only feature events we believe are relevant to our community.