Circus Live to become a new venue for the Kuopio Dance Festival

Kuopio Dance Festival will gain a new venue next summer as a large part of its side programme moves to the newly renovated Circus Live, located in the centre of Kuopio.

With the introduction of the new venue, the Dance Pavilion will not be seen in Kuopio Market Square this year. Instead, its programme will be held at Circus. The decision is based on the City of Kuopio’s plan to begin construction of a new year-round stage at the market square and the scheduling uncertainties related to the project.

Circus will host a diverse programme. The schedule will include dance performances, seminars, live music sponsored by Genelec, the Elämänlämpö social dances made possible by Kuopion Energia, evening clubs, the Dance Challenge, and much more. The facilities also allow for comfortable lounge and restaurant areas for festival guests.

The Dance Pavilion has been a popular festival meeting place in the market square for the past three years. Photo: Niko Puumalainen

“We will transform the space to reflect the festival’s identity, and the large facilities enable us to create a kind of festival living room. Our goal is to build a cosy, weatherproof venue with a true festival atmosphere right in the heart of the city”, says festival producer Tuula Korkalainen.

Circus Live is located on Vuorikatu in central Kuopio, just a short walk from the market square. Applications to perform in the side programme are still open, and the detailed Circus schedule will be published in April–May.

The Savonia Stage programme at Kuopio Market Square will take place as usual, this year once daily at 11 am. In addition to dance performances, the stage will host Meet & Greet events with main programme artists and the Carnival Parade.