The Spectacular Dancing Tent!

Posted by Howard on 03 July 2009 | 0 Comments

DanceEast’s Spectacular Dancing Tent set down in Christchurch Park, Ipswich on June 27 and will stay open to the public until July 12. This magnificent Spiegeltent, literally meaning ‘mirror tent’ in German, will then makes its way to four further venues across the region at Stowmarket, Easton, Colchester and Bury. Housing various dance performances, workshops and classes, the Tent is set to provide a magical dance experience for all, and IP1 will be updating you on upcoming happenings which will get your body moving throughout its journey. So, stay tuned and remember, dance is not just for the dancefloor!

The Spiegeltent will be the first of its kind in East Anglia. A beautiful wooden structure with a dazzling interior of mirrored booths surrounding a wooden dance floor, creating the perfect intimate space for dance performances, workshops and classes, or simply a relaxing drink at the bar, along with a host of other dance surprises!

An exciting range of programmes will be on offer from children’s workshops and Indian Classical Dance to Flamenco and Street Dance, along with performances by national and international dance artists, providing a fun way to enjoy dance, get fit, have a laugh and learn new skills over the summer. The Tent will be an opportunity to try something different in a fun and relaxed environment. If you have never experienced dance, then the Dancing Tent is the perfect place to start!

The Spigeltent at a venue near you…

Christchurch Park, Ipswich, June 27 – July 12
Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket July 15 – July 26
Easton Farm Park near Wickham Market, July 29 – August 2
Castle Park, Colchester, August 5 – August 16
Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, August 19 – August 30

What is a Spiegeltent?
A Spiegeltent is a large travelling tent, constructed in wood and canvas with a large circular wooden dance floor, surrounded by seated booths and decorated with mirrors and stained glass. The Spielgetent was specifically designed as an entertainment venue during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The tents were transported around the country and assembled at town fairs in areas that did not have a proper dance hall, bringing dance to those who could not afford or that did not have access to such entertainment. Only a handful of Spiegeltents remain in existence today, and these survivors continue to travel around Europe and beyond, often as a feature attraction at major international arts festivals, and one is now coming to a venue near you.