The European Aerial Dance Festival is the UK’s only aerial training event of its kind, running for 2 weeks in partnership with the wonderful Worthing Pavilion. Up to 30 classes a day to choose from – incl technique classes, creative labs and complementary training – available for professional aerialists, hobbyists and beginners and led by world class teaching talent. The European Aerial Dance Festival was established by Gravity & Levity in 2010 and aims to bring exceptional aerial experiences to every body. EADF was inspired by the original Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder, Colorado (running since 1998) and a desire to work collaboratively to create something similar for Europe. Lindsey Butcher (Artistic Director, Gravity & Levity), Chantal McCormick (Artistic Director, Fidget Feet Aerial) and Fred Deb (Artistic Director, Drapés Aériens) worked together to create and plan sister festivals: European Aerial Dance Festival (EADF), Irish Aerial Dance Festival (IADF) and Les Rencontres de Danse Aérienne (LRDA), respectively. We owe a big thanks to Nancy Smith in the first instance for imagining the 1st meeting to bring the aerial community together and to Chantal McCormick and Fred Deb for running with the idea of a series of ADF’s around Europe. European Aerial Dance Festival caters to seasoned professional aerial artists working across a range of apparatus as well as offering separate and tailored activity for hobbyists, cross trainers and beginners. Our aim is to create a friendly and encouraging environment for everyone. Find out more about our Level Definitions below. Classes, creative labs and courses incl a breadth of aerial apparatus including: corde lisse, lyra, aerial dance harness, vertical dance, and cloud swing, as well as complimentary ground based apparatus and techniques including: cyr wheel, acrobatics, contortion, stretching, contact improvisation, dance, gyrotonics, and vayu aerial yoga. EADF Tutors represent the best in the sector, drawing from world class talent each year. We often see popular tutors returning year on year, as well as inviting fabulous international newcomers to share their wealth of knowledge and skill. As a disability-led company, Gravity & Levity pride itself on creating EADF as an inclusive event. More than ever before, from 2022, EADF offers bespoke access accommodations, BSL interpretation and we welcome support workers to all sessions. Our tutors are all briefed in using inclusive language and are offered more bespoke access feedback on their delivery, so that we can support each other as a sector to develop and grow. We are also able to offer subsidised places for people that identify as underrepresented in the sector.
