Spring is here, which means one thing... Spring Loaded finally opens at The Place! Over at Sadler's Wells, the hotly-anticipated Royal Ballet Flanders are presenting William Forsythe's Artifact, while at Royal Opera House, the final performances of the Royal Ballet's current triple bill are underway.


Royal Ballet: Polyphonia, Sweet Violets & Carbon Life - 18 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details (returns & day tickets only): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146

The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill is finally drawing to a close, with only two performances remaining: this week's performance, on Wednesday, features the star-studded first cast, with one of the few remaining opportunities to see Tamara Rojo before she departs to take up the Artistic Directorship at English National Ballet.

This triple bill might appear as something of a mission statement of where the Royal Ballet currently finds itself, with works by its current in-house choreographers: a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia, originally created for the New York City Ballet; Liam Scarlett's first narrative ballet, and another no-holds-barred work by Wayne McGregor.

Wheeldon's Polyphonia has received rave reviews from the press, and more divided feedback from audiences; if you loved Wheeldon's Alice, you'll love this - and you'll no doubt recognise a few sections. Liam Scarlett's Sweet Violets explores the world of artist Walter Sickert at the time of the Jack The Ripper murders; while not perfect, it's still a very entertaining piece with some lovely duets. The pièce de resistance is Wayne McGregor's Carbon Life, which features outlandish costumes by Gareth Pugh, music by Mark Ronson and vocals by Black Cobain, Alison Mosshart and Boy George, among others. It's one of McGregor's better works, and the music will stay with you long afterwards.


Royal Ballet Flanders: Artifact - 19 - 21 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Royal-Ballet-of-Flanders-Artifact

Royal Ballet Flanders has been in the news rather too much recently for the wrong reasons: initially it was under threat of severe funding cuts, and more recently, its artistic director, Kathryn Bennetts, has resigned in protest at the Belgian government's plans for the company's future.

Described by Time Out as "technically excellent and artistically daring", Royal Ballet Flanders will be presenting Artifact, a William Forsythe work from 1984 which will combine neoclassical technique with theatrical flourishes.


Spring Loaded: Darren Ellis Dance & Robert Clark - 17 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12707/whats-on/robert-clark-darren-ellis-dance.html

Spring Loaded is The Place's annual springtime season, featuring some of the exciting up-and-coming names in contemporary dance, with many unmissable performances, with past performances by New Art Club, among others.

Darren Ellis has worked with many of this country's leading contemporary dance companies, including New Adventures, Random Dance and Richard Alston Dance Company, and his work is usually theatrical and highly entertaining. Robert Clark will be presenting an unconventional love story, "with references to the films of Terrence Malick, David Lynch and Guillermo del Toro".


Cloud Dance Festival Corner

Spring Loaded: James Wilton - 20 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12714/whats-on/sofia-dias-vitor-roriz-james-wilton.html

The darling of the contemporary dance industry, James Wilton has been accumulating awards and acclaim even before graduating from London Contemporary Dance School, having won Sadler's Wells' Global Dance Contest, and is now a BBC Performing Arts Fellow in partnership with Swindon Dance. Fresh from creating a new work for Oper Graz, James Wilton presents the latest incarnation of Cave, his follow-up to his hugely popular 'The Shortest Day'. Those familiar with The Shortest Day will see more than a few similarities, while those new to James's work will be astounded by the agressive physicality of Cave.


Argentine Film Festival - 19 - 22 April
Ritzy Picturehouse
Details: argentinefilmfestival.com
Tickets: www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Seasons_Festivals/Argentine_Film_Festival

This isn't strictly dance-related, however our wonderful publicist Sofia Serbin de Skalon has been working on creating a brand-new festival of her own, screening eight award-winning films, showcasing the best of contemporary cinema from and about Argentina.

Those who are interested in Argentine dance should check out Caprichosos de San Telmo (argentinefilmfestival.com/caprichosos.html), a documentary exploring the young murga dancers and musicians preparing for carnival in Buenos Aires. Dance-related activities will hopefully be announced closer to the time, however we're more than spoiled by all the wonderful films on offer (which are selling fast)!