Dancers arrive in Ireland ahead of Dublin Dance Festival

Dancers from across the world have been arriving in Ireland to take part in the annual Dublin Dance Festival.

Over the next two weeks, more than 50 events celebrating contemporary dance, including world premieres, performances from leading Irish and international artists, and free outdoor events will take place in venues across the capital.

Opening the festival tonight is the acclaimed ballet company, founded as an all-male group, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

The company is visiting Ireland as part of its 50th year anniversary tour and will be on stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for two nights.

Known affectionately as the Trocks, Artistic Director Tony Dobrin explained that it was founded as an all male comedy ballet company in 1974 so "we're now 52 years old and we've been travelling the world, entertaining audiences all over and it's been a real pleasure".

Artistic Director of DDF Jazmin Chiodi said that the festival aims "to share the best of national and international work" for both audiences and performers.

She emphasised the importance of the festival as a way for professional dancers and performers to "collaborate, exchange ideas, and share experiences".

"I want audiences to come and follow their curiosity," she said, adding that "you can sit in an audience watching, but we will have workshops where you can join in and just move and dance," Ms Chiodi said.

Shows that will be taking to the stage across the festival calendar include 'In search of the tragic spirits', 'My fierce ignorant step', and Junk Ensemble's return with ‘Storm 1.0’ at the Samuel Beckett Theatre.

"We have a wide range of events to include everyone such as a VR experience for Teenagers called 'A Corpo Libero' with CoisCéim theatre, and on Sunday 3 May 'the dance of La Zurda' takes place outdoors in Wolfe Tone Park and South King Street over the May bank holiday weekend" Ms Chiodi added.

Another highlight is an event called 'Wired', a neuro friendly club night at Project Arts centre on 21 May .

For dance artist Laura Murphy from Cork, DDF is a highlight of the calendar for her artistic community.

"Dance is essential for me and I've been dancing all my life, and I think it's a necessity really," she explained.

Ms Murphy will be hosting a dance session called 'The Shake' at the Humanarium at RCSI.

"I think it's good to try it as much as any other art form. You might like some things, you might dislike other things and I think it's important to give it a shot," she said.

Dublin Dance Festival runs from today until 16 May.