Dance: Sampled at The Lowry with world-class dancers, taster sessions & more

Lose yourself in movement this February with a one-off dance event at the Lowry called Dance: Sampled. This live performance is a compilation of the very best in dance, celebrating some of the biggest names in the artform. Showcasing dance in all its guises, this special event is perfect whether you’re already pretty pro in the twinkle-toes department or you don’t know your ballet from your breaking. There will be bite-sized performances by international talent including one of the world’s biggest flamenco stars, Jesús Carmona (pictured), and BBC Young Dancer 2017 Nafisah Baba; iconic duets such as The Sugar Plum Fairy out of The Nutcracker, courtesy the Scottish Ballet national dance company, and other extracts of longer pieces, from Humanhood’s Zero to Gandini Juggling’s Smashed, a mesmerising mix of circus and theatre. As well as being able to watch the performance, visitors can join in and tread the hallowed Lowry boards themselves with various dance activities to get involved in all day long. Free events include pop up dance and circus skills workshops throughout the Lowry building from 10am until 4pm. There will be a screening of perhaps the only film ever made about a tap-dancing penguin, Happy Feet (11am, click on the link below for booking details) and a screening of the Bollywood-style dance-packed Bride and Prejudice at 5pm. Free taster sessions for absolute beginners (and anyone else inclined to take part) include tap (11am), hip hop (noon), flamenco (12.15pm), ceilidh (12.45pm), Bhangracize (1 & 4pm), Lindy hop (5.30pm), and salsa (6.30pm). Other activities and sessions include circus skills (noon & 4pm), a post show dance panel in which participants in Dance: Sampled talk about their experiences of a career in dance (4pm). Two paid for sessions include ZooNation, an improvers class for hip hop dance fans, with a focus on developing narrative ( 1.15pm, £5, book here). No experience is required for live music, experimental dance and improvisation masterclass, Improv #10, presented by NorthSide UK  (from 3.30pm, £3 to take part, free to watch). Click here to discover more events at the Lowry.

Sat 17 Feb, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, Tel: 0843 208 6000, Dance: Sampled performance 2pm & 8pm, £5-10, www.thelowry.com/sampled. Other activities on the day are available to book through the website and most are free.