The Place Celebrates 40th Birthday

The Place celebrates its 40 anniversary with a season-long programme of exhibitions, classes and performances. Founded by the philanthropist and dance enthusiast Robin Howard in 1969, The Place is now one of Europe’s leading dance conservatoires, and home to both London Contemporary Dance School and the Robin Howard Theatre.

Entitled “40 years of The Place – what dance can do” the season begins in September and runs until July 2010.
 
Throughout the year, key figures from The Place’s history will contribute to exhibitions, interviews, debates and master classes. A new website – whatdancecando.com – will be live from September.
 
Other season highlights include Taste the Place, the opening celebrations (11, 12 September); specially created performances and events from leading figures from The Place’s history in May 2010; and end-of-year performances by its graduating students in June 2010.
 
Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp, chief executive of The Place, says: “The 40th anniversary is a chance to celebrate four decades of pioneering work in dance. It’s also a time to think about the future, about what can do for everyone.”

In a further announcement, The Place says that its long-time there director John Ashford, who leaves to join the European dance network Aerowaves, will give a farewell address at its Turning World closer on 24 June.