CELEBRATING 15 YEARS AT PAVILION DANCE SOUTH WEST
Press release by PDSW:
On 28th October 2010 we officially moved to our venue by the sea in Bournemouth and became Pavilion Dance South West. HRH The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) opened the doors to our new theatre and contemporary dance studios following substantial refurbishment. Since that day we have welcomed 1000s of guests, customers, artists and dancers through our doors, onto our terraces and out in the community. Our vision has always been to make a difference through dance and our mission today is as strong as its ever been. We strive to transform communities through the power of dance both in our venue and out in the local area.
Victor Fung, Artistic Director & Joint CEO, Pavilion Dance South West says:
“Since moving into our historic seafront building in Bournemouth fifteen years ago, our creative hub has been home to our dancing communities including professional artists, audience members, class participants and many others. We pride ourselves in being the kind and inclusive organisation that we are whilst delivering some of the most innovative and empowering dance experiences for everyone. On this momentous occasion, I’d like to say a huge thank you for everyone who has been part of our journey. With your support, we will continue to transform communities through dance.”
SPECIAL 15TH ANNIVERSARY TICKET OFFER
To celebrate this milestone and to thank our amazing communities we are offering £5 theatre tickets for Spring 2026 shows when booked in November 2025.*
This includes all adult and family shows taking place in our main Ocean Theatre our packed Spring 2026 season. From the last soiree in 1930s Paris cabaret club, The Monocle to the first female Samurai in Ronin and family antics with shed-ache we have a full season of shows to choose from February to July 2026. Check out the stunning Triptych by Lewis Major as well as family show Evim by Ceyda Tanc Dance amongst many others.
Check out the full line up of events in the offer here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/whats-on/
Over the years we’ve initiated, supported and produced many events, shows, festivals and performances with the support of generous supporters, donations, funding and grants from many partners, trusts and foundations including Arts Council England and BCP Council. It’s been a fantastic excuse to look back over some of the major milestones that we are proud to have beeen part of.
15 YEARS OF DANCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT PAVILION DANCE SOUTH WEST FROM 2010-2025
2010
Pavilion Dance venue launched as a new centre of excellence, thanks to £3.29m capital investment by Bournemouth Borough Council and the vision of founding director Kate Castle. Check out our new website here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/
2011
Introduced Dancing Terraces, our popular free mass-participation outdoor summer dance class programme. Our newly-formed youth dance company 2BU (now Coast) performed in Weymouth alongside the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Chalk Legends – part of the Cultural Olympiad in the run-up to London.
More about Coast here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/coast-youth-dance-company/
2012
Launched our Parkinsons Dance Science Method classes, developed in partnership with Neuro-Physiotherapist Dr Sophia Hulbert and dance artist Aimee Hobbs, and later rolled out to centres in Dorset and Hampshire, with 26 practitioners trained in the method to date. To date we’ve welcomed 100’s of participants and their carers and continue to enjoy Fun Fridays with our joyful Parkinson’s Dance community. Read more about our Parkinson’s Dance community here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/the-science-behind-parkinsons-dance/
2013
Learning Associate Schools programme introduced with five pilot school partners – we now work in 20+ schools annually. You can find out more about our work with schools here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/learning-associates/
2014
Young Choreographers South West scheme launched, providing opportunities to work with leading choreographers over a number of intensive weekends. We continue to run this programme with a series of Masterclasses and an intensive weekend. The first of our annual Business Come Dancing fundraisers was held with six local businesses competing for the glitterball trophy. Over the next 10 years over 100 brave competitors have taken part, raising over £130,000. More about Young Choreographers here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/young-choreographers/
2015
Partnered with Arts University Bournemouth to develop a BA(Hons) Dance Degree based in our building until 2026.
2016
Dance Along the South Coast audience development initiative launched in partnership with venues across Southampton, Eastleigh, Bournemouth and Poole. Reignited in 2022 and extended to included artist development. Launch of our first Discover, Play, Dream: Dance! Festival. A festival of dance in everyday places in Bournemouth & Beyond.
2017
Hosted the 5ty Hip Hop extravaganza B-Town Throwdown featuring dance battles and masterclasses with artists from across the UK. Ran our Joie de Vivre exhibition celebrating and championing dance made by, with and for over 60’s.
2018
First Changemaker appointed in a four-year programme to challenge and support us to work in ways that are more inclusive and relevant to people from the global majority, with disabilities, who identify and LGBTQI+ and/or are from a lower socio-economic background
2019
Women Leaders South West partner, supporting talented potential leaders from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts
2020
Delivered Surf the Wave: an ambitious UK Dance Showcase that grew out of our experience of hosting the 2018 British Dance Edition
2020-21
Pivoted online for pandemic – 15,000+ people accessed our online programme of classes and performances and we co-delivered a digital National Dance Summer School with partners across the UK
2022
Breakin’ Free series of free weekly street and hip hop classes for young people launched in Bournemouth’s West Howe thanks to Children in Need funding – the programme has expanded to run in four locations by 2025. More about Breakin’ Free here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/breakin-free/
2023
Re-staging of Plastic Paradiso by South West dance artist Claire Benson. This original dance piece for children was our first venture into in-house producing and we supported it to tour to 10 venues across the UK and into Europe
2024
Collaborated with UK and Danish partners to test a low-carbon ‘Deep Touring’ approach to international small-scale touring as part of the International Touring & Environmental Responsibility programme
2025
LEAP Primary Schools toolkit launched: a teacher training and resource kit designed to help teachers confidently weave dance and movement into their classroom activities across the academic year. More about LEAP here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/community-and-education/leap-dance-toolkit-for-schools/
You can find out more about our upcoming theatre programme, our dance classes, artist development and our work in schools and the local community at:www.pdsw.org.uk
*£5 theatre ticket offer is valid for Spring/Summer 2026 season shows if booked during November 2025. Discount will apply at checkout. Hired shows, social dances and workshops are not included in this offer.
Come and join us soon at our venue by the sea or out in the community to celebrate and help us continue the journey to transform lives through dance for another 15 years!
For the latest news: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/news/