Scandinavia's Largest Dance Festival Kicks Off in August 2015

Copenhagen Summer Dance 
10th -16th of August 2015 
Venue: Copenhagen Police Headquarters 

Through the years, Copenhagen Summer Dance has established itself at a popular and indispensable Danish summer tradition; a tradition that is presented by Danish Dance Theatre, the largest and foremost contemporary dance company in Denmark. Running from August 10 to 16, the open-air contemporary dance festival will present dance of international standard over the course of a week. The audience can experience seven unique works that represent contemporary dance, ballet and flamenco – all under the open sky, surrounded by the spectacular architecture of the Police Headquarters.

Contemporary dance presented to a broader audience
When artistic director and choreographer Tim Rushton (MBE) took over the company in 2001, he had a very clear mission: To present contemporary dance to a larger audience. Due to his great involvement, passion and hard work, more and more people during the last 10 years have come to see dance in the Police courtyards rotunda. This year is no exception – and the ticket sales have already surpassed last year’s sales figures.  

National and international involvement
Copenhagen Summer Dance 2015 is presenting a diverse program with both nationally and internationally established choreographers.  This year’s line-up includes the award-winning Spanish/Danish flamenco dancer Selene Muños, who will perform together with her percussionist, the highly respected choreographer Edhem Jesenkovic will participate with a brand new piece called “Taboo” and the Israeli dancer and choreographer Idan Sharabi has created a new piece for his own dancers, together with the dancers of Danish Dance Theater. The Danish choreographer Lotte Sigh will come with the piece “Dancing with Anger”, performed by dancers from The Royal Danish Ballet.  Artistic Director Tim Rushton will present excerpts from his new work with Tivoli Ballet Teater, and last but not least the audience will experience Tim Rushton’s Firebird, danced by Danish Dance Theatre’s 14 dancers. Firebird will have its premiere in January of 2016 at Theatre Republique in Copenhagen.

Danish architecture from the early 20th century
Copenhagen Summer Dance offers a unique opportunity to see dance and music in Copenhagen Police Headquarters. The headquarters is located southwest of the centre of Copenhagen and was designed by the architects Hack Kampmann and Aage Rafn in 1924, in the Neoclassical style. It has been called a masterpiece of its genre and the building is said to be the last example of Neoclassical architecture in Northern Europe, because it typically juxtaposes squares and circles, light and darkness and the horizontal with the vertical. All in all, the courtyard has proven to be a stunning place to hold a dance performance.

Admission to Copenhagen Summer Dance is free, but if you want to be sure to have a seat, then for just 60 crowns, you can reserve a seat via www.billetten.dk.

Press photos can be downloaded here:
 http://www.danskdanseteater.dk/presse/copenhagen-summer-dance-2015

Press contact:
Julie Schlytter / +45 4217 0197 /  julie@danskdanseteater.dk