PHOENIX Dance Theatre have recently been celebrated as one of Britain’s leading contemporary dance companies having been chosen as one of the headline events at the Yorkshire Festival, part of the festivities for the Grand Depart.

Those who don’t want to wait that long or travel too far have another chance to see the company in action though, thanks to Rural Arts.

The Leeds based dance company will be performing their critically acclaimed show REfined at several venues in North Yorkshire as part of Rural Arts spring ON Tour line up.

REfined is a mixed programme with solos, duets and more and highlights their most popular pieces from the last five years.

Curated by the company’s Artistic Director Sharon Watson, the programme showcases some of the most breath-taking choreography from their history. T

he performance has been designed for smaller venues allowing for a more intimate performance compared to their usual shows, giving audiences a unique opportunity to get up close with some of the UK’s most talented dancers.

Prior to the tour dates, Phoenix Dance Theatre will spend four days working with local young people at Brooklyn Youth Centre, Norton to create a short piece to be performed as a curtain raiser for the tour.

The project ‘Create Tour’ was launched in 2013, by Rural Arts, to give young people the chance to tour alongside performers while they work in the area, providing young people with valuable, professional experience.

Last year was the first time Phoenix Dance Theatre had toured rurally, in partnership with the charity. The performances and project alike are promising to be spectacular events.

As well as a curtain raiser from local young people, REfined is followed with a Q&A.

The performance will be at the Milton Rooms in Malton on Friday, April 25 and Kirkbymoorside Memorial Hall on April, 26.

Tickets and more information is available online at www.ruralarts.org. All projects are thanks to Rural Arts funders Arts Council England, Ryedale Council and North Yorkshire Youth.