OffBeat is a hive of new performance in Oxford, a festival of brand-new theatre, comedy, dance, family shows, spoken word and music. It’s a place for you to see something which wouldn’t usually come here. It’s a blind date with a show you could fall in love with. And – lucky you – it’s right on your doorstep.  Take a chance on something exciting.

A collaboration between Oxford Playhouse and Arts at the Old Fire Station, with short performances across the Old Fire Station and BT Studio.  See below for a summary of shows for dance lovers:

Saturday 24th June, 2.45pm:  Organic Entity – Choreographers Anna Watkins, Neus Gil Cortés and Salah El Brogy explore human condition across age and time, setting them against the backdrop of our current plural society. Based on scientific research, these three new dance pieces explore our animal body, our critical mind and our need for transcendence in an intense triple bill. Ages 12+. 75 mins. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK NOW.

Saturday 24th June 5.30pm:  Fall Out – Tap company Old Kent Road present a journey through quintessential jazz entangling movement within the graceful perspective of tap dance. So we ask you, how did it feel, when you fell out of love? All ages. 1 hour. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Sunday 25th June 4.30pm:  Anusthan – Pagrav, meaning sound of feet, was founded by Urja Thakores to promote the Indian classical dance style Kathak in its purest form. For Aunusthan (celebrations) the company showcase different elements of this beautiful dance form. Ages 5+. 1hr, 15mins. In The OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Wednesday 28th June 6.15pm:  Signs – A contemporary dance piece fusing contemporary dance with British Sign Language. Performed by two female dancers, this exciting and intricate duet takes inspiration from Colin Thompson’s poem ‘If I told you I was deaf would you turn away’. Ages 8+. 30 minutes. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Friday 30th June 6.15pm:  We Are Ian – 1989. A frenzy of drugs, beats and bucket hats. We weren’t even born. But Ian was. And Ian does remember. We’ve got fuck all now (Ian tells us). So, we’re going back to 1989. We’re gonna neck a brown biscuit. We’re gonna get off our peanuts. We’re gonna bounce around like idiots. And Ian’s going to show us how… Physical theatre, ages 14+. 45 mins. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Saturday 1st July, 5.30pm:  The Submission – A tale of transitions and arrivals presented by Splintered Itinerary. Three characters wind their way through paper-thin premises, scrape off the wallpaper to find the horrors that lie beneath. Dark and funny, The Submission melds theatre clowning and choreography to explore the journeys between the stories. Ages 12+. 50 minutes. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Sunday 2nd July 3.00pm:  Four Corners – Inclusive company BLINK Dance Theatre weaves dance, original live music and storytelling. Step inside the lives of four strangers as their worlds begin to tangle out of control. ‘It is thrilling to see something so personal, accessible and inviting brought to a stage.’ – A Younger Theatre. All performances are relaxed and friendly. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Sunday 2nd July 5.30pm:  Ladylike – In a landscape of Afro-Latin and Hip Hop, four females cluck, fight & undress our preconceptions of what it is to be ‘Ladylike’. Rated PG. 1 hour. In the OFS Theatre. £10. MORE INFO AND BOOK.

Find the full OffBeat Festival programme here