Badke UK premiere: modern Palestinian dance at the Lowry

The Lowry present the UK premiere of Badke, a show featuring a modern take on traditional Palestinian dance. The show takes its inspiration from a celebratory dance, which is performed at weddings and other joyous occasions, known as Dabke. A 10-strong troupe of Middle Eastern performers have mixed this with modern styles from around the globe, such as Hip Hop and Capoeira, to create a whole new form. The work seeks to ask questions about the flexibility of tradition, i.e. can older culture be modernised without losing its core essence? This international collaboration was created by producers from a Belgian ballet school working with Palestinian dancers from various disciplines. The event coincides with the beginning of the Shubbak Festival, a biennial event which celebrates contemporary Arab culture.

Sat 11 Jul, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, 8pm, £14 – £18, www.thelowry.com