Dancers to transform Cregagh Wood into immersive stage at Cushendun Big Arts Weekend this Saturday
- Love Ballymena
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Cregagh Wood, the location for Dance Encounters
An immersive dance experience set deep within one of the Glens of Antrim’s most scenic woodland areas will see audiences step directly into a live performance this weekend, as Maiden Voyage Dance brings a unique guided tour to life during the Cushendun Big Arts Weekend.
Taking place on Saturday 2nd May, “A Walk in the Woods with Dance Encounters” invites participants to explore Cregagh Wood not just as a landscape, but as a living stage where contemporary dance unfolds around them, blurring the line between audience and performer.
Now in its 13th year, the Cushendun Big Arts Weekend continues to draw together artists, performers and the local community, celebrating creativity, heritage and place in one of the most picturesque villages in Northern Ireland.
This latest event builds on that tradition by placing art directly into the natural environment, offering a markedly different cultural experience from traditional theatre settings.
Performance woven into the landscape
Rather than a fixed stage, the woodland itself becomes part of the choreography. Short dance performances will take place at intervals throughout the guided walk, encouraging participants to engage with movement in an everyday setting while surrounded by nature.
The concept centres on accessibility and connection — bringing contemporary dance out of formal venues and into shared public spaces, allowing audiences to encounter performance in a more immediate and personal way.
Dancer Sarah Flavelle
For returning dancer Sarah Flavelle, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the performance itself. Drawing on her experience performing in unconventional spaces, she describes the forest as uniquely inspiring, where the environment actively influences movement and expression.
“I have danced in many unusual places including car parks, fields and school playgrounds, but the forest is a very special place to perform,” she explained. “In the forest it is easy to find inspiration from my surroundings and allow them to influence my movement.”
Her reflections highlight how the performance evolves in response to its surroundings, with the natural soundscape and terrain becoming part of the creative process.
“Performing in the forest feels more immersive as I am responding to nature in different ways, collaborating with the sounds, trees and terrain to create something that is deeply rooted in the environment,” she added.
Audience becomes part of the experience
The event is designed not just as a performance to watch, but as a shared journey through the woodland, where participants become part of the unfolding experience.
“A Walk in the Woods is a beautiful event that will allow you to connect with forest in new and exciting ways,” Flavelle said. “You will become part of a movement journey that will explore the surroundings through connection, response and intuition.”
The approach reflects a broader shift in how live performance is being presented, moving towards more interactive and site-specific experiences that invite audiences to engage physically and emotionally with both art and environment.
“You will experience a dance performance that will bring an exciting, peaceful, reflective and connected energy to the beautiful surroundings of the forest,” she added.
Event details and practical information
Dancer Sarah Flavelle
“A Walk in the Woods with Dance Encounters” takes place at Cregagh Wood on Saturday 2nd May, running from 11am to 1pm. The guided walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours and includes steep climbs and uneven footpaths, meaning suitable walking footwear is strongly advised.
As the event is weather dependent, organisers have provided a same-day contact number for updates. Participants can check arrangements by calling Katy on 07932 776107.
Attendees are asked to meet at St Patrick’s Church Car Park on Glendun Road (BT44 0PZ) ahead of the walk.
Tickets are priced at £7 and can be booked online at:
With its combination of natural beauty, live performance and community participation, the event offers a distinctive way to experience both the arts and the landscape — transforming a simple woodland walk into something far more immersive and memorable.
At a glance
• “A Walk in the Woods with Dance Encounters” takes place Saturday 2nd May
• Location: Cregagh Wood, Cushendun
• Time: 11am–1pm (approx. 1.5-hour guided walk)
• Part of the 13th annual Cushendun Big Arts Weekend
• Features live contemporary dance performances during the walk
• Terrain includes steep climbs and uneven footpaths
• Meet at St Patrick’s Church Car Park, Glendun Rd, BT44 0PZ
• Tickets cost £7
• Book online: https://theoldchurchcentre.com/event/big-arts-weekend-a-walk-in-the-woods-with-dance-encounters/
• Weather dependent — updates via 07932 776107