Moving Earth

What is Moving Earth?

Moving Earth is a vibrant dance project taking place across the West Midlands as part of Dancing for the Games, which is celebrating and counting down to London 2012 by encouraging people across the region to get dancing.

sampad is bringing together 20 groups of 12 dancers from across the region representing a dazzling array of styles including Bollywood, Bhangra, Indian folk dance, hiphop and contemporary African and UK dance.

With direction from internationally-renowned dancer Santosh Kumar Nair, the groups will develop new dance routines exploring the theme of ecology, taking inspiration from the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water and Space.

Each group will have an exciting opportunity to celebrate their individual style while adding a unique twist to their routine in the form of high-energy moves taken from Indian martial-arts based dance (similar to capoeira), which they will learn along the way.

The Moving Earth groups will be performing at events across the region as part of Dancing for the Games in the run up to London 2012 , leading to a colourful finale performance on June 30th with specially composed music by acclaimed musician Praveen D Rao. (Please check this section of the website for further updates).

Moving Earth has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK, as well as Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands.

sampad is proud to announce that Moving Earth has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Visit our Moving Earth blog to see what we’ve been up to so far.

Moving Earth will be coming to Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Hereford, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcester. For more information contact info@sampad.org.uk