This weekend sees the return of London’s annual outdoor dance festival over a two-day programme, showcasing performances across the various locations of Canary Wharf. Amongst many delights this year is dance circus on a forest of poles, a fusion of water and dance, acrobatics and juggling virtuosity based on the choreographies of Merce Cunningham.
Events
Candoco Dance Company, “A Graceful Act of Stupidity
Wren Landing, 3pm & 5.15pm, 16 minutes
Join our two flight attendants as they take you on a journey that slips seamlessly between the everyday and the poetic. Brace yourself for a playful, yet poignant flight in this beautiful duet for Candoco Dance Company from New Art Club’s Tom Roden.
Alleyne Dance, “Bonded
Westferry Circus, 2.30pm & 5pm, 30 minutes
This beautiful performance on a strikingly designed transparent stage is created and performed by twin sisters, Kristina and Sade Alleyne, who explore dependency, particularly that of siblings, and how time can change and challenge relationships.
Joseph Toonga/Just Us Dance, “Born to Protest
Columbus Courtyard, 1pm & 3.30pm, 35minutes
This timely production dismantles presumptions about black male and female figures based on intimidation, danger and isolation, revealing instead character traits around fragility, vulnerability and a constant battle to prove oneself.
Joe Garbett Dance, “Doubles
Wren Landing, 1.45pm & 4.15pm, 20 minutes
Table tennis tables become the setting for this collision of dance and ping pong. Watch as the two competitors spin, slide and swerve their way through this playful pop-up performance.
Ofir YuDilevitch, “Gravitas
Jubilee Plaza, 1pm & 5pm, 30 minutes
This highly playful performance combines dance and acrobatics and explores the joy in simply letting gravity take charge. As two acrobats bounce and roll on an outdoor airmat, they realise that no matter how complex their acrobatic feats.
Joli Vyann, “Lance Moi En L’Air
Jubilee Place, 1.15pm & 3.45pm, 25 minutes
This acrobatic dance duet explores the sensitivity and connection between two people which brings about compatible contradictions: can we be strong whilst relaxed? heavy whilst light? grounded whilst flying? or submissive whilst in control?
Gandini Juggling, “LIFE
Cubitt Steps, 1.45pm & 3.45pm, 20 minutes
This love letter to the legendary Merce Cunningham imagines the possibility that one of the greatest figures in 20th century contemporary dance might have choreographed juggling. Featuring music by Pulitzer Prize-winning singer Caroline Shaw and five jugglers/dancers, this is a thrilling chance to preview a major new work due to tour throughout 2022.
Kapow, “Mayfly
Upper level, Canary Riverside, 1.50pm & 4.15pm, 30 minutes
Mayfly explores the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life and how our survival is inextricably linked to our environment. A spectacular fusion of water, dance and song together reminds us that nothing stays the same, but that we can stand up, overcome and create change.
Motionhouse, “WILD
Canary Riverside, 1 & 4.45pm, 44 minutes
This daring dance-circus production from Motionhouse, explores our disconnect with the natural environment: in our modern lives, is the wild still shaping our behaviour? With a design which imagines an urban forest in the heart of Canary Wharf, performers use powerful physicality and incredible feats to move through a jungle of tall poles.
New Adventures, “A Doorstep Duet
Montgomery Square, 1pm & 2.15pm, 10 minutes
Jubilee Place, 3pm, 4.30pm & 5.15pm, 10 minutes
Bank Street Park, 2.30pm & 3.15pm, 10 minutes
Harbour Quay Gardens, 4.15pm & 5.15pm, 10 minutes
A Doorstep Duet follows two everyday people being transported back in time through music and discovering the joy of dancing together in different eras. This unique piece has been specially created to provide a moment of escapism, joy and the sense of connection in these challenging times.
More information at Canary Wharf here
Isle of Dogs Life 
Wonderful to see such a historic area of London so revived and alive.