Press Release
|Claridge’s ArtSpace collaborates with ballet star Eric Underwood for 'EVERYONE Can Dance', offering joyful, all-levels movement classes amidst the Double Exposure photography exhibition, celebrating confidence, expression, and fitness.
LONDON, 30 MAY 2024: Claridge’s ArtSpace announces a new collaboration with famed performer Eric Underwood, entitled ‘EVERYONE Can Dance’, celebrating the art of movement. Across several dates in June and July, guests are invited to attend complimentary classes hosted by Underwood himself, moving and connecting amidst the stunning contemporary photography and artworks on display in the gallery.
Designed to unleash the dancer within, ‘EVERYONE Can Dance’ is both an energetic workout and a gateway to finding confidence in movement, which is open to all abilities and levels of experience. It will leave participants feeling stronger, more graceful, and most importantly full of joy. Underwood has honed his unique method after a pioneering career performing ballet around the world, including ten years as a soloist at The Royal Ballet, as well as stints at American Ballet Theatre, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
The events at Claridge’s ArtSpace will begin with a one-hour movement class; with guests first warming up together to a soundtrack featuring Underwood’s favourite music. Dynamic ballet movements follow, guided by Underwood’s expertise, both in the centre of the gallery and travelling across the floor. After a relaxing cool down and stretch, guests will experience a Q&A with Underwood. To refuel after their workout, visitors can enjoy a selection of smoothies, omelettes, galettes and pastries at Claridge’s ArtSpace Café, located above the exhibition space.
“After many years of being part of the Claridge’s family, I’m super excited to be collaborating on this unforgettable ballet experience. Imagine a ballet class for EVERYONE, in an atmosphere where joy, self-expression and fun take centre stage. No pressure, just pure enjoyment!”, comments Underwood.
Guests will perform under the artful gaze of photographic portraits by David Bailey and Mary McCartney, which are currently on display as part of the Double Exposure exhibition (14th May-19th July 2024). The new photography exhibition brings the works of these two major British photographers into direct dialogue for the first time.
-ENDS-
Note to Editors
Eric Underwood ‘EVERYONE Can Dance’ classes are available to book on a complimentary basis on the following dates. Guest numbers will be limited to 20 per class.
For further information, please contact the Maybourne Press Office:
About Claridge’s ArtSpace
Claridge’s ArtSpace is an art gallery unveiled at the legendary hotel in the heart of Mayfair in 2021. This space, designed by John Pawson, is accessed by the Claridge’s ArtSpace Café on the restored hotel façade on Brooks Mews. Claridge’s invites its long-standing friends and gallerists within the art world to stage rotating exhibitions and shows, and has approachability at its core, with free access to all.
Claridge’s ArtSpace is open from 8am – 6pm daily Monday-Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday-Sunday, on Brooks Mews, London W1.
About Eric Underwood
Eric Underwood was born in a suburb of Washington DC, and it wasn’t until he was 13 that he discovered his talent for ballet. He won a scholarship to the School of American Ballet in New York’s Lincoln Centre, one of just three black dancers in the school of 500 at the time. He became a Principal dancer aged 19 at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, then moved over to the American Ballet Theatre, before being invited to join the Royal Ballet in London in 2007. At the Royal Ballet, Eric was known for creating many roles including Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, Christopher Wheeldon’s DGV and the Caterpillar in Wheeldon’s Alice in Wonderland.
He also champions diversity in ballet and created the first ballet shoes for people of colour in 2016 in a partnership with Bloch. Outside work, Eric devotes his time to ballet outreach with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also acts, models, and having recently moved with his partner to a farm in the Chilterns, he is also helping de-mystify farming for his large social media following.
About Maybourne
Maybourne operates Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Berkeley, The Emory, The Maybourne Beverly Hills and The Maybourne Riviera, some of the world’s most legendary luxury hotels. Maybourne is committed to inspiring extraordinary experiences that reflect the individual nature of its hotels, its guests and its staff whilst maintaining a timeless and intuitive service style that are the hallmarks of its priorities.
