A series of free performances and high-quality dance experiences will be presented across the Royal Borough of Greenwich this summer.

Summer in the Park will see the start of a three-year partnership with Greenwich Park, that will transform London’s oldest Royal Park with cultural activity that brings communities together to celebrate its rich and vibrant history.

A highlight of the Summer in the Park programme will be three festival performances taking place as part of a major regeneration project from The Royal Parks.

On Friday, June 24, Autin Dance Theatre will perform Out of the Blue, featuring a large-scale Sea Giant Puppet operated by five puppeteers and a female dancer.

Inspired by themes of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis, Out of the Blue is perfect for family audiences aged 6+.

On Friday, July 8, Joseph Toonga, The Royal Ballet’s Emerging Choreographer, will present his company Just Us Dance Theatre who will perform Born to Protest, a piece that celebrates Black excellence and challenges racial stereotypes.

Aimed at young people aged 14-25, Born to Protest features seven dancers who perform to an intense, energetic soundscape of hip-hop beats and spoken word.

This Is Local London: (image: Summer in the Park)(image: Summer in the Park)

Completing the festival line-up is Folk Dance Remixed who bring their show Step Hop House to the park on Friday 22 July - this high-energy show combines hip hop dance with traditional folk dances from around the world performed by a cast of eight dancers and four live musicians.

Each festival performance will also see young people from local schools take to the stage to showcase their dance skills, as well as providing an opportunity for audiences to try a few moves of their own.

As well as the festival performances, the partnership with Greenwich Park will see a programme of weekly classes held in Greenwich Park on Saturdays from June 25 until August 6 including Tai Chi in the Park, Family Story Walks led by a dance artist and storyteller who will uncover key moments in the Park’s history.

Summer in the Park also sees the two South East London cultural organisations, Greenwich Dance and Artstrust Productions, join forces with the local community to deliver a fun day out for all the family with a series of Park Picnics at Maryon Park (June 26), Queenscroft Park (July 24) and Gallions Park (July 31).

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