Main Sponsor for the 2011 Australian Dance & Performing Arts Expo is Harlequin

Harlequin, recognised as the world leader in advanced technology floors for dance and the performing arts, has announced that it is to be the main sponsor of The Australian Dance & Performing Arts Expo in June.

The Australian Dance & Performing Arts Expo (ADPE), scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, from 17th~19th June. ADPE is described as "Australia's largest event of its type covering every aspect of the dance and performing arts industry" where Harlequin will be supplying three areas of it’s Liberty™ sprung dance floors for the main performance areas.

Visitors will also be able to try a dance style, or take a free dance class of the many styles exhibiting at the expo on the Harlequin sprung dance floors which will be a focal point for activities of the Expo. They will be used for the ‘ADPE Class and Performance’ floor and ‘Main Stage Dance’ floor with the ‘Main Stage’, also benefiting from a Harlequin floor, featuring some of Australia's most outstanding performers with live bands performing throughout the day.

Guenther Goetz, Managing Director of Harlequin Australasia said, "Over the next few weeks Harlequin and the ADPE will be announcing some very special guests and promotions in the lead up to the first Australian Dance & Performing Arts Expo. " Guenther continued, “We are proud to be the major sponsor for ADPE and to be providing high quality sprung floors to ensure dancers can perform safely and also to give visitors the opportunity to try out our sprung floors for themselves.”

Harlequin has been at the forefront of research informed, specially developed floors for entertainment technology for over thirty years.

The Harlequin name is established as a brand that has become synonymous with the floors of choice for leading dance companies, while equally accessible and affordable for smaller venues, local dance schools and studios.

Win a FREE VIP ticket to MOVE IT & PERFORM 2011

Win a FREE VIP ticket to MOVE IT & PERFORM 2011 Harlequin floors are the choice of the world's leading dance companies and are being used on the main stage and Harlequin Masterclass Studio at Move It and Perform 2011, Olympia Exhibition Centre, 11th -13th March. Visit the British Harlequin stand, number 130, and try out our Harlequin Liberty™sprung floor under a choice of dance surfaces: • Harlequin Cascade™ • Harlequin Studio™ • Harlequin Tempo™
Win a FREE VIP ticket to MOVE IT & PERFORM 2011 The first 50 people to email their full name and address tomarketing@harlequinfloors.com by 5pm on Tuesday 8th March will win a FREE VIP ticket to the show, which allows entry for two people on any one of the above days. Good luck and we look forward to meeting you at MOVE IT & PERFORM 2011!

Floors for Globe’s new facility are not just a dance surface

"It’s not just a dance surface it’s also an acoustics surface", said Andy Scorgie, Head of Facilities Management at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, talking about the floors recently installed by British Harlequin at their new education and rehearsal centre. Andy explained that the Harlequin floor "is something our acoustic consultant was keen on using. It’s a product I am particularly familiar with due to working in and creating different spaces over the years. " Well known as global leaders in dance floors, the Globe’s selection of a Harlequin Activity sprung floor with hardwood oak surface was chosen not just for its spring characteristics and aesthetics, but also for its acoustic properties. Located close to Shakespeare’s Globe and reflecting the same architectural feel thanks to the use of oak and curved walls, the new Sackler Studios comprise a rehearsal room for the theatre company, four education workshop studios and a music room, as well as a café.

"The whole structure of a Harlequin floor although it is designed to give you spring, for us helped tremendously in creating a space which as you can hear is lively," continued Andy speaking during our interview from a studio within the new facility. "One of the reasons for a Harlequin floor was not so much as having a nice sprung surface, but more to do with improving the sound separation between one space and another". Discussing the installation, Andy went on to say how he was "tremendously pleased" with "the Harlequin floor going down very easily and quickly. From a look and feel as a working surface and as part of the sound separation between all the studios it’s more than done its job. "

"I must admit I had never thought of Harlequin floors in terms of an acoustic material rather than a dance floor, which is obviously how we generally think of them”, concluded Andy. “However it’s another string to Harlequin’s bow that it is not just a dance surface, it is also an acoustics surface. "

.Watch the full interview

Mark takes leading marketing role at Harlequin

Mark Rasmussen has been appointed Group Marketing Manager for the Harlequin Group of companies worldwide. Mark, who joined the Tunbridge Wells based enterprise last year as Interim Group Marketing Manager, heads up a global marketing team whose portfolio includes the established Harlequin dance floor and Black Cat Music brands, which were joined recently by the newly introduced MusicPracticeRooms.com brand.

Mark previously worked as Consumer Marketing Manager for General Electric, following an earlier agency background. His role will embrace an overview of marketing operations for the main Harlequin businesses located in the UK, America, Europe, Asia and Australasia, as well as the successful Black Cat Music distribution franchise in the UK, Europe and Russia.

Harlequin’s recognised global leadership in dance floor technology is based on informed research and working closely with the dance community to create floors that dancers, at all levels of achievement, aspire to dance on. The company continues to develop this rapport with its customers through embracing new online marketing initiatives including the use of social media and video, and welcoming comment and interaction as well as providing advice and supporting the dance profession through research funding.

Black Cat Music offers a comprehensive programme of music education and performance equipment and has established its online e-commerce store as a popular destination for quality, yet affordable products.

Commenting on his appointment, Mark said, “I’m so proud to be working with such a great team. Harlequin are not only the innovators and leaders in our industry but, uniquely among it’s competitors, supports research into dance injuries, sponsors events such as the Prix de Lausanne and continues, year on year, as a major supporter of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science.”

Harlequin dance floors top the bill at MOVE IT 2011

British Harlequin plc, world leaders in the development and technology of floors for dance and the performing arts are once again a ‘Show Supporter’ of MOVE-IT 2011. Harlequin continues in its commitment to furnish dance floors for both the main performance stage and the ‘Harlequin Masterclass Studio’ for the big dance event that takes place at London’s Olympia venue from 11th to13th March.

The ‘Harlequin Masterclass Studio’ is a dedicated, intimate space with a fully sprung Harlequin Liberty floor created especially for advanced and professional dancers. According to the organizers, “the studio will host classes taught by some of the UK’s premiere teachers and dance companies’. From burlesque to contemporary and new for 2011 are 1 hour long extended classes, which are intended to provide a more in-depth dance experience.

The main stage dance floor at MOVE IT 2011 is also provided and sponsored by British Harlequin. Using Harlequin’s Liberty sprung floor panels with Harlequin Cascade dance surface, dancers will be assured of the highest quality flooring to match their artistic creativity.

Meanwhile Harlequin’s presence on the exhibition floor provides a great opportunity for dance teachers and students to try Harlequin dance floors and ballet barres for themselves and talk to knowledgeable staff about which floors will be best suited to their dance classes.

We open web sites for China, Japan and Korea

British Harlequin plc continues to invest in and expand its Hong Kong based subsidiary Harlequin Asia Ltd. Supporting the marketing thrust in the region, the company is delighted to announce that the web site has now been expanded to include Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese language options in addition to the existing English language and Simplified Chinese versions. Visitors to the Harlequin web site in these countries will automatically access the relevant language, but also have the option to select from any of Harlequin’s many local sites world-wide from a drop-down menu.

The decision to open an office in Hong Kong and provide local support followed many years of exporting to these countries from the UK. Now in its third year of trading, Harlequin Asia Ltd headed up by Kasper Nyboe, has achieved significant growth in developing sales of the company’s range of specialist flooring products for dance, the performing arts and display. The capability Harlequin can now offer in providing expert guidance in selecting appropriate floors for each unique requirement, backed up by local stocks has contributed to this growth.

Harlequin sponsorship for Prix de Lausanne

Luxembourg based dance floor specialists Harlequin Europe srl is once again a sponsor for the 39th Prix de Lausanne which takes place in Switzerland from 1st – 6th February.

Created in 1973, the Prix de Lausanne is an international competition for young dancers aged 15 to 18 with “a prime objective to discover, promote, and support talents among the world’s finest young dancers.” Harlequin Europe is celebrating three years of participating in the Prix de Lausanne as sponsor of the video-blog. Once again the Harlequin video-blog competition promises to be a favourite rendezvous for the young dance community.

During the 2011 Prix de Lausanne, Harlequin will be running an online video competition inviting the opportunity to vote for “your favourite” dance video. These will be posted to the Harlequin Prix de Lausanne web site from Wednesday 2nd February. Everyone registering a vote online will automatically be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win prizes that include iPods, a digital camera and a special Harlequin kit. The competition closes 15th February. Full details of how to be involved can be found online.