IRIE! dance theatre

The UK's home for African & Caribbean Dance The company was founded in 1985 with the principal aim of heightening the profile of Black dance in Britain. IRIE!

To this end the company created repertory reflective of the African/Caribbean influence on the Black British cultural experience. The company's musical orientations are drawn from African and Caribbean traditional drumming and percussion, Reggae and Ragga, Calypso and Soca. And, since its inception, IRIE! has:

~ Created over 20 dance works for touring nationally and internationally,
~ Worked with

thousands of young people in a variety of settings, and
~ Collaborated with and or created partnerships with a diverse range of organisations and institutions offering the value of its expertise and experience. In 1998, IRIE! established and delivered the UK's first and only Diploma in African & Caribbean dance. This full-time accredited training programme was delivered in partnership with City & Islington College and Birbeck University of London. The company no longer offers this Diploma programme but instead now offers a Foundation Degree in Dance which is delivered in partnership with City & Islington College and London Metropolitan University. Students on this programme will have the opportunity to (http://bit.ly/DFDFactsheet) study African, Caribbean, ballet and contemporary dance techniques, get professional input from established dance theatre professionals and progress directly onto the honours year at London Metropolitan University. dance theatre was originally based at well-known community centre and performance venue, The Albany in Deptford. However, in 2006 IRIE! relocated to the newly refurbished Moonshot Centre in New Cross. Moonshot is equipped with two large dance studios, shower and changing rooms, a library and archive space, cafeteria, teaching and meeting rooms among other facilities making it ideal for the delivery of the Dance Foundation Degree programme and other artistic activities. IRIE!’s vision is to make Moonshot an exhilarating and fascinating place for the local community and professional artists to learn about dance, its diverse nature, and how we can all benefit from being involved in dance and dance-related activities.

12/08/2026

Curious about our new accredited CPD courses in African & Caribbean dance and music?
Here are 5 things to know before you join!

✨ No previous experience needed!

✨ Learn beyond the movement!

✨ Learn in a flexible, blended environment!

✨ It’s NOT dance training!

✨ Grow your professional AND creative toolkit!

DM us or check out our website for more details - www.iriedancetheatre.org
Register now via the QR Code and we’ll see you in class!

11/08/2026

🚨 FINAL CALL — MA DIASPORIC DANCE STYLES 🚨

Are you a dance artist-practitioner ready to take your practice further?

The MA Diasporic Dance Styles at IRIE! dance theatre offers a unique opportunity to develop your practice, research and career through flexible distance learning, critical dialogue and intensive in-person residencies.

The programme welcomes artists working across diverse dance styles and contexts, with a particular invitation to practitioners working within African and Caribbean diasporic traditions and non-Western dance forms.

Applications are closing soon! This is your final call!

👉 Find out more on our website - www.iriedancetheatre.org

IRIEDance DiverseDanceStyles

06/08/2026

Join us for Making Tracks: Road Ready and get ready for Notting Hill Carnival 2026 with our very own Shea Best! 🔥

Since the 1960s, Notting Hill Carnival has celebrated Caribbean culture, resilience, and community through music, movement, and joy - and we are bringing that same energy to the studio!

Whether you’re hitting the road for the first time or you’re a seasoned masquerader, come catch de vibes, celebrate de culture, and get Road Ready with IRIE! 🇹🇹🌴✨

Nuff vibes! Nuff energy! Nuff wining!

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 Moonshot Centre, London
🎟️ £12

CaribbeanDance LondonDance CarnivalVibes

29/07/2026

https://wix.to/q2yFJfz

28/07/2026

Ready to level up your dance skills? IRIE! dance theatre is excited to offer Accredited Continuing Professional Development short courses in African and Caribbean dance!

Whether you are looking for an introduction, to deepen your knowledge or enhance your teaching skills, we have a course for you!

Perfect for dance professionals, educators, community artists, health practitioners, or anyone eager to expand their skills.

Register now and join our short courses to enhance your professional development, and experience the fusion of movement, culture, and creativity!

13/07/2026

Our friends at Dear all New Cross Fire Foundation and Gone But Not Forgotten Family are holding this Family Day on Saturday 25th July 2026 - 12:30pm to 7:30pm

The event is being held as many in our community have unresolved trauma as a result of the tragic event in 1981, up until this very day.

Please pass through if you can for opportunities to see old friends, rebuild our wonderful community resilience, and have conversations to help us to heal. Please share if you can 💛

08/07/2026

Still thinking about joining us to complete your BA?

If you have completed a year 1 and 2 of a dance degree - come and join Year 3 of the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles.

Foundation degree students are also eligible to apply.

Year 3 is an employment year where students get the opportunity to join Connectingvibes (Year 3 touring Company) and devise their own Independent project, whilst working alongside members of IRIE! dance theatre, the professional performance company.

All enquiries [email protected]

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Location

London

Telephone

+442086916099

Website

https://www.iriedancetheatre.org/

Address

Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Angus Street, New Cross
London
SE146LU

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 9pm
Tuesday	9am - 9pm
Wednesday	9am - 9pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 1pm