Community Dance Day

Join us in celebrating UCL’s 200th Birthday with an afternoon of movement, live music and community connection🥳

What is Community Dance? 

Community dance is an inclusive and joyful way for people of all ages and abilities to come together through movement. By dancing side by side with members of our wider London community, we'll build a shared sense of connection and belonging.

What’s happening on the day?

We're putting on a series of free, drop‑in dance workshops running throughout the day. Each session is designed to be welcoming and accessible, so everyone can take part in a way that feels right for them.

Dance as much or as little as you like, try something new, or simply soak up the energy and atmosphere. Above all, it’s a chance for you to connect, collaborate, and create alongside the wider community.

Whether you come with friends or on your own, you’ll be joining something special. We warmly welcome UCL students and staff, local community groups, and schools to dance, watch, and take part.

We’ll also have light refreshments between workshops to help everyone stay hydrated.

Schedule

Feel free to drop in and out at any point during the afternoon.

Student Volunteer Performance

• 12:00-12:15 

Salsa Workshops

• 12:30–1:00pm
• 1:15–1:45pm

Maypole Workshops (with live music)

• 2:30 - 3:00pm
• 3:30 - 4:00pm
• 4:30 - 5:00pm

Maypole Workshops

Pick up a ribbon and learn how to maypole dance with your peers and people from the local community. 

This workshop is a playful take on traditional Maypole dancing, fusing Folk and Hip Hop, and accompanied by live musicians. 

FolkDance Remixed create unique arts experiences across generations and cultures and with diverse communities. Their passion lies in rediscovering old traditions and playing with new contemporary forms. Led by a vibrant and compassionate team of dancers and musicians, their vision is to create eclectic and joyful moments in communities. 

Photo credit: FolkDance Remixed and KOS. 

Salsa Workshops

Discover the joy of salsa, a lively, social Latin dance full of rhythm and connection. Led by UCL’s Salsa Outreach Project, these inclusive sessions are all about moving, smiling, and having fun.

Expect easy-to-follow steps, infectious energy and plenty of encouragement. No prior or partner experience is needed - just curiosity and willingness to get involved!

The Salsa Outreach Project works across local community centres and has partnered with organisations such as Age UK to share the joy, connection, and confidence that dance can bring across generations. Our student volunteers are specially trained by a professional instructor to teach salsa to different age groups, united by a mission to make dance joyful and accessible for everyone.

Key Details 

📅 Date: Wednesday 3rd June

⏰Time: 12:15pm–5:00pm. You can drop in at any point - see the workshop schedule above!

📍Location: The UCL Main Quad, located on Gower Street, London, WC1E

Giving it a go

If you'd like to try something new but feel nervous: every workshop is designed to be inclusive, beginner‑friendly and open to all ages and abilities. You’re welcome to join in fully, take things gently, or simply sit back and enjoy watching. There’s no pressure to move if you don’t want to. 

We'll also have a team of student volunteers who are there to be friendly faces and support with any moves or questions you might have. 

Want to be even more involved? Volunteer as an Ambassador

If you'd like to play a key part in this one‑off celebratory event, you can also volunteer as a Community Dance Day Ambassador. You'll help to bridge the gap between the university and the wider community by helping everyone feel welcome, included and excited to take part. No dance experience is needed; this role is all about people skills and befriending.  

Sign up as a Community Dance Day Ambassador here