Visit Harlequin Floors at Leeds exhibition

Harlequin Floors will once again be exhibiting at the PLASA Focus event to be held at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, on 10th and 11th May 2015, where Harlequin’s stand (R-C12), will feature floors for theatre, dance and events. 



On show will be a wide range of examples from Harlequin’s extensive portfolio of floors for the performing arts. Visitors will able to examine many different floor types with expert support on hand to provide guidance and advice. Harlequin is experienced in stage construction for refurbishment work or new build and works with architects and theatre planners designing stages for many types of theatrical space.  Harlequin Floors also offers special flooring solutions for television studios, exhibitions and display and of course is widely recognised as world leaders in floors for dance.
Recent stage floor projects have included important new theatres, stage replacement in existing venues, stages for cruise ships, schools and rehearsal spaces. Other requirements have included ballet wagons and special printed vinyl floors as an integral part of the set design. 



PLASA Focus: Leeds is billed as “the essential event for entertainment technology in the north of England.”

Stand out Dance Studios - it’s more than all floors and mirrors

Harlequin's Mark Rasmussen talks about 'stand out 'dance studios.

Away from thousands of dancers and the intense sounds of a variety of dance music emanating from various floors and stages at MOVE-IT, an attentive audience assembled in the Seminar Theatre to learn how to ‘Make a Dance Studio Stand Out.’ Presented by Harlequin Floors, Mark Ramussen and supported by One Dance UK’s Helen Laws it was to be a busy session.

Mark explained that there was a great deal of ground to cover in the relatively short time scheduled, but cover it he did. From floors to barres, mirrors to heating and ventilation, music systems and a wealth of details that are important considerations in creating a studio that is great for dancers to enjoy and perform safely. Part of a programme of ‘MOVE IT Pro seminars, moving to the audience questions it became evident that at least some were from overseas and that many wanted to know more. In particular once they had created a great studio how should they market the facilities.

It was fortuitous that Mark as Harlequin’s Group Marketing Manager was the ideal presenter to give the audience some tips on digital marketing too, providing useful advice on reaching out to local dance communities.

Harlequin Floors lines up dance acts for MOVE –IT

Tap Attack will be on the Harlequin stand

Acts lined up to appear on the Harlequin stand this week include Tap Attack, Brighton Tap Festival, Theo Godson, the Royal Academy of Dance and Magpie Dance.

Visitors are invited to make a point of visiting the Harlequin Floors stand at this week’s MOVE – IT dance event which runs from Friday 18th March – Sunday 20th March.  Not only will the dance companies mentioned above be appearing on the Harlequin stand – number 140 – but it is a great chance to meet members of the Harlequin team and try out the same Harlequin floors that are being provided throughout the event in dance studios, ballroom and on stage.

The Harlequin exhibition stand has emerged as a popular venue for performances and work shops staged on its own dance stage. The Harlequin floor also proves attractive for impromptu performances and for individuals to demonstrate their dance moves. Show visitors are being encouraged to try out the dance floor for themselves. The company is exhibiting the company’s full range of dance floor products and accessories. New this year is the Harlequin Tap Turning Board, a product designed specifically for percussive dancers, it provides exceptional sound and is solid underfoot. Harlequin are offering visitors the opportunity to ‘try and buy’ on the stand.

In a change of venue, this year sees the successful MOVE IT move to a new home at London's ExCel. Now established as the UK's biggest dance event, this 3-day festival of dance is expected to bring 22,000 dancers to ExCel.

Make your dance studio stand out

If you are looking for ideas for a new dance studio, or to update your existing facility, then a Harlequin – led seminar at MOVE-IT could be a great opportunity to learn more. ‘Making a Dance Studio Stand Out’ is one of a programme of seminars offered within the MOVE IT PRO series. The series will include panel discussions and expert led seminars with talks across the full breadth of the performing arts - dance, acting, singing, musical theatre and the wider performing arts.

The dance studio is an important place of work for professional dancers where the facilities should provide a pleasant environment which is bright, maintained at a suitable temperature and well ventilated. The studio must also be a safe place to learn and rehearse. Harlequin Floors Mark Rasmussen will lead the seminar and explain the importance of a suitable dance floor in establishing the confidence dancers need to not hold back when it comes to performing to the best of their ability. Erin Sanchez from Dance UK’s Healthier Dancer programme will offer important health and safety advice for dancers. The seminar takes place on Friday 18^th March at MOVE-IT at 1.45 pm.

Harlequin Floors will once again feature prominently at MOVE IT 2016 - the UK’s biggest dance event –as an event sponsor, as provider of professional dance floors and as an exhibitor.  In a change of venue, this year sees the successful MOVE IT move to a new home at London's ExCel, where the event runs from Friday 18th March – Sunday 20th March. Now established as the UK's biggest dance event, this 3-day festival of dance is expected to bring 22,000 dancers to ExCel.

It’s Harlequin Floors for the biggest UK Dance Event

Harlequin Floors will once again feature prominently at MOVE IT 2016 - the UK’s biggest dance event –as an event sponsor, as provider of professional dance floors and as an exhibitor.  In a change of venue, this year sees the successful MOVE IT move to a new home at London's ExCel, where the event runs from Friday 18th March – Sunday 20th March. Now established as the UK's biggest dance event, this 3-day festival of dance is expected to bring 22,000 dancers to ExCel.

In the run up to next month’s celebration of dance, Harlequin Floors are giving away 100 pairs of one-day tickets to MOVE IT 2016.The competition closes at 12pm on 14th March 2016 and the winners will be announced and contacted on 15th March 2016. Details of how to enter this great free ticket give-away can be found on the Harlequin web site. [http://uk.harlequinfloors.com/en/news/competition/]

Harlequin Floors will be on stand 140 exhibiting the company’s full range of dance floor products and accessories in the main exhibition area. In addition to the busy programme of dance performances, classes and seminars, the Harlequin exhibition stand has also emerged as a popular venue for performances and work shops staged on its own dance stage with Harlequin FreeStyle installed on a Harlequin Liberty sprung floor. The Harlequin floor always proves attractive for impromptu performances and for individuals to demonstrate their dance moves. Show visitors are being encouraged to try out the dance floor for themselves.. New this year is the Harlequin Tap Turning Board, a product designed specifically for percussive dancers, it provides exceptional sound and is solid underfoot. Harlequin are offering visitors the opportunity to ‘try and buy’ on the stand. Acts lined up to appear on the Harlequin stand include Tap Attack, Brighton Tap Festival, Theo Godson, the Royal Academy of Dance and Magpie Dance.

Harlequin is once again providing a Liberty™ sprung floor with Cascade™ dance surface for the Main Stage which will be host to spectacular performances from some of the most exciting artists and dance companies from all over the UK. The same sprung flooring topped with Harlequin Studio will be used in the ever-popular Harlequin Masterclass Studio a dedicated, intimate dance space, while The MOVE IT Ballroom also has a Harlequin sprung floor, but this time with Harlequin Fiesta wood finish. Plus the MOVE IT Freestyle stage will be equipped with one of Harlequin’s newest floors – Harlequin FreeStyle.

Junnosuke wins Harlequin Scholarship at Prix de Lausanne

Sixteen-year-old Japanese dancer Junnosuke Nakamura was the proud winner of the 2016 Harlequin Floors Scholarship - now in its fourth year - awarded at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland.

There are six scholarships in all, including the one awarded by Harlequin Floors, plus the public’s prize, the prize for contemporary interpretation, and of course the unique opportunity to benefit from the
classes and the presence of renowned professionals. The Prix de Lausanne is a marvellous opportunity for all the competitors! The Prix de Lausanne once again attracted young, promising dancers from all parts of the world. 67 of the 71 selected candidates finally participated in the 44th edition, 20 of which were selected to compete in the finals on Saturday, February 6th. 

Harlequin Floors enjoys a long-standing association with the Prix de Lausanne and Harlequin representatives were delighted to attend the 44^th edition of the Prix de Lausanne which took place from 31st January to 7th February 2016 in Lausanne. The event also witnessed the launch of the new Harlequin Blog which published daily reports from Lausanne in English, French and Spanish. The blog offered insights into the competition, featured interviews with the candidates, portraits of members of the jury and teachers and a candid look at life behind the scenes. It is perhaps no surprise either that Harlequin dance floors figured prominently at the Prix de Lausanne with Harlequin Liberty sprung floor panels used in the main studio and black Harlequin Studio floor brought in for the main stage.

Harlequin roll-out dance floors ideal for schools

Harlequin Floors offer four Education Dance Floor Packs specifically designed for use in schools. Whether for dance study at GCSE and A-level, or for extra curricula activity, there is a ready-to-use package available. 

The right floor is essential to ensure dance students achieve their best performances in safety. Ordinary wood floors or sports floors are too slippery for safety and too hard or unyielding for most dance disciplines. Without a purpose-designed dance floor, there is higher risk to health through injury from falls or muscle strain. Harlequin's dance floor technology provides dance students with floors that offer the right degree of "traction" and controlled "spring".



Dance Floor Pack A is ideal for infant, junior and lower schools needing a roll-out floor for dance lessons and performances that can then easily be stored away. Harlequin Reversible is a double-sided flooring suitable for both dance and stage, with an alternate colour on the reverse. There are 7 combinations to choose from, each quick to roll out and lay flat to provide a slip-resistant dance surface. 



Dance Floor Pack B is well suited to secondary schools for A-level work. Pack B contains a larger quantity of Harlequin Reversible to comply with the recommended minimum 10m x 7.5m dance floor space for A-level work.


Dance Floor Pack C is ideal for secondary schools looking for a hard-wearing floor suitable for dance and stage use. Harlequin Studio is a specially developed vinyl formulation that meets the needs of dancers and has a cushioned backing, This pack also complies with the recommended minimum 10m x 7.5m dance floor space for A-Level work.

Harlequin Education Dance Floor Pack ‘D’ is based on the renowned Liberty sprung floor panels, which can be fitted together to create an 80m ² dance floor. Comprising 36 full size and 8 half size panels, which are joined together using a unique latching system, the pack also includes edge trims and a ramp to complete the sprung floor. Four lengths of Harlequin Reversible can then be laid and secured with the joining tape provided to complete the dance surface. The Harlequin Reversible flooring can be rolled up, secured with Roll Straps and placed in the Harlequin Storage Bags supplied when the floor is not required. As an optional extra and for added convenience, two Harlequin Liberty Panel Storage Carts can be ordered to assist transporting and storing the panels.

Education Dance Packs are available in various options and a variety of colours and can be bought online from the Harlequin shop.