Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Rubicon Dance
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Contact us Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • What we do
    • History
    • Meet the team
      • Board
      • Staff
    • Studio hire
  • Dance Classes
    • Dance for Adults
    • Dance for children and young people
  • Community Classes
    • Dance for Health and Wellbeing
    • Dance in schools
  • Dance Training
    • Accredited Learning
      • GCSE Dance
      • BTEC Dance
    • Rubicon Dance Advanced Training Scheme
    • Professional Development
      • Apprenticeships
      • Wales Wide Training
      • Continuous Professional Development
  • Dance Company
    • About the Company
    • Meet the Company
    • Productions
  • What's on
    • News
    • Events
    • Sign up for our Newsletter
  • Support us
    • Saving Roath Library
    • Donate
      • 5 Ways to Show Support
      • Donate to a Rubicon project
      • Donate to a Fundraiser
      • Become a Friend
      • Organise a Fundraiser
    • Impact
      • Case Studies
      • Awards and Partnerships
    • Supporter spotlight
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • History of Rubicon Dance
  1. Home

History of Rubicon Dance

Humble Beginnings and Royal Visits

Set up in 1975, Rubicon was first known as the Welsh Dance Theatre Trust. Its goal was to support Welsh Dance Theatre, a new contemporary dance company based in the Sherman Theatre. After a year the company dissolved but the Trust remained. It became the governing body for Cardiff Community Dance Project - one of the first community dance organisations in the UK set up by Molly Kenny.

By the 1980's the project had grown from strength to strength, and the Trust were offered a new building in Adamsdown to develop their community dance activities. The project was renamed Rubicon Dance, as we are known today, and existed to give people of all ages and abilities access to dance in different community settings. Before us, our building on Nora Street had been used as a religious mission and was later turned into the Casson Theatre. After lots of fundraising, the building was renovated and reopened as 'Rubicon Dance' in November 1983 by Princess Diana.

More Dancing, More People

Now at its home in Adamsdown, the programme continued to expand in participants, classes and ideas. Rubicon taught all sorts of styles to every kind of person: everything from Rock 'n' Roll to disco and historical dancing had its place on the timetable. A range of children's classes were set up on Saturday mornings, and these alongside tap, ballet, contemporary and jazz are all still part of the Rubicon week.

The different strands of Rubicon's work also started to take shape. A full-time preliminary dance training course was established in 1986, and Rubicon also began work centred around dance for people with disabilities, as well as dance in health in Ely Hospital. In 1994 Rubicon set up the UK's first community dance apprenticeship scheme, which trained young dancers to become talented community dance practitioners. As the new millennium approached Rubicon broadened its scope once more by setting up the Newport Dance Development Programme. 

   

21st Century Changes

Over 45 years on, Rubicon sessions continue to give people opportunities to connect with others whilst nurturing their skills and confidence. The scope of the Rubicon community, however, now reaches further than ever.

In 2013 we set up the Wales Wide Training Programme, which connects 17 different organisations across Wales. This network has created a supportive space where the Welsh community dance sector can share knowledge, support each other, and access high-quality training. We have also expanded our work to offer more progression routes for artists and people in Wales. Our apprenticeship programme, GSCE and BTEC dance courses, as well as performance groups for the young and old give people opportunities to strive and reach their goals.

Whether this goal is to dance professionally, join a community group, or improve health and wellbeing, Rubicon values and supports the aspirations of everyone. Our aim still remains the same: to provide a place where the community can dance, create and realise their potential.

Published: 28th May, 2019

Updated: 23rd September, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Wales Wide Training Programme Summer Dates

    Wales Wide Training Programme Summer Dates

    Wales Wide Training Programme dates for diaries June and July 2022!!!  All sessions will take place on Zoom. If you have any access needs then please let me know [email protected]

  • THE BOP JAZZ SUMMER RESIDENCY 2022

    THE BOP JAZZ SUMMER RESIDENCY 2022

    The BOP Jazz Intensive Program is suitable for dance students and graduates, advanced and professional dancers and teachers, with a concise understanding of dance technique. The BOP Jazz Residency is aimed to inspire, yet challenge. “Come As You Are” is the BOP Mantra, allowing everyone to develop and achieve their own potential as jazz dance performers. 

  • WWTP Dance for Parkinson’s focus

    WWTP Dance for Parkinson’s focus

    A talk by Sophie Lorimer, Rubicon’s current Community Dance Apprentice and her mum Jules King who lives with Early Onset Parkinson’s

  • Perceptions 2022

    Perceptions 2022

    'Perceptions 2022’, at the Dolman Theatre, Newport 7pm on Thursday 26th May 2022, is an energetic and vibrant performance showcasing a wide variety of dance styles.

Most read

  • Adult Timetable

    Adult Timetable

    Pick your day and time. Dance classes for adults run by Rubicon across Cardiff, Newport, Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan.

  • Meet Rubicon's Staff

    Meet the Rubicon team!

  • Children and Young People Timetable

    Children and Young People Timetable

    Timetable for Rubicon's creative dance sessions for children and young people in Cardiff, Newport and the Vale of Glamorgan.

  • Studio hire

    Studio hire

    Studio hire in Cardiff for local artists, community groups and organisations. Our two studios are the perfect space for dance workshops, rehearsals and meetings.

  • What we do

    Rubicon offers dance opportunities and classes for adults and children across South Wales.

  • Ballet

    Ballet

    Ballet classes for adults in Cardiff. Enjoy our friendly and supportive sessions, which offer progression from level 1 to level 3 skills.

  • Contemporary Dance

    Contemporary Dance

    Weekly sessions at Nora Street in contemporary dance for young people aged 11+. Come and open up your dance world!

  • Rubicon Dance Advanced Training Scheme

    Rubicon Dance Advanced Training Scheme

    Rubicon Dance are excited to launch our new Rubicon Dance Advanced Training Scheme for those aged 14+ wishing to take their dance training a step further.

  • Sign up for our newsletter

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to Rubicon's newsletter.

  • GCSE Dance

    GCSE Dance

    Our GCSE in Dance aims to broaden students' knowledge of dance through technical and creative practical tasks, as well as the study of professional choreographic work.

Latest tweet

Welsh Dance Theatre Trust Ltd known as Rubicon Dance

Registered office:
Nora Street
Cardiff
CF24 1ND

+44 (0)29 2049 1477
[email protected]

Registered Charity No 269068

Photographs by Sian Trenberth
www.sian-trenberth.com

  • FAQs
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Sign up for our newsletter