Ballet’s aesthetic has been defined in certain way for so long that it seems against the grain to break from tradition, which leaves things at a bit of an impasse. But with our proud heritage as a multicultural city in the midst of creative change as well as country-wide racial tension, there could not be a better time for Ballet Black to leap centre stage. Ballet Black’s mission statement is to ‘cease to exist’ for one, very poignant reason, that they by definition, shouldn’t have to exist. Driven by the problems in casting black dancers for anything other than Modern Contemporary, Breakdance and Hip Hop, they aim to change the perceptions of an entire industry with their skill and discipline. The Ballet Black Triple Bill will be coming to Dancexchange to descend upon the mindsets and artistic sensibilities of our cities inhabitants for two nights only. Including the wildly beautiful Red Riding Hood, the show promises to simultaneously thrill and galvanise an industry to reconsider its position at this crucial time in history by breathing new life and passion into old stories. Bold choreography, blending the classical and contemporary, narrative and abstract has won this show all kinds of press accolades with The Guardian calling it a “dash, daring show of joie de vivre”. Edgy choreography, set to a Shostakovich string quartet, from much celebrated choreographer of the moment Annabelle Lopez Ochoa turns this popular fairy tale on its head giving an adult take on Red Riding Hood with a significant twist.

Thu 25 May – Fri 26 May at Dancexchange, The Arcadian, Thorp St, Birmingham B5 4TB. Tel: 0121 689 3170. £14/£11 Conc & £8 Under 25’s (or take advantage of the Dancexchange’s current Buy One Get One Half Price offer) www.dancexchange.org.uk