ROOTS 2026

ROOTS 2026: On Ancestry and Re-Rooting

Step into a transformative 5-day dance intensive curated by internationally acclaimed choreographer Aakash Odedra-designed to uplift, challenge, and inspire early and mid-career dancers.

Artists for this year:

Aakash Odedra, Company artist Subhash Viman Gorania, Laura Vanhulle, Melissa Ugolini, and Kesha Raithatha

Guest Speakers:

 Skinder Hundal OBE, Anita Bhalla OBE, Farooq Chaudhry, Piali Ray OBE, Steve Maddock, Rushil Ranjan and MAC Director Deborah Kermode

ROOTS offers an exciting blend of world-class training, creative exploration, industry insight, and performance opportunity. Across five dynamic days, participants will dive into masterclasses, discussions, and movement sessions with leading voices in dance and culture, expanding their practice while building a powerful network of fellow artists.

2026 Theme: On Ancestry and Re-Rooting

This year, we trace the pathways that brought us here. Together, we explore how our histories-cultural, artistic, personal-shape the dancers we are becoming.

We will ask:
✨ Where do our lineages converge and diverge?
✨ What practices, memories, and echoes live within us?
✨ How do we find steady ground and re-root ourselves in fast-changing, urban spaces?

ROOTS considers the self as a mosaic of experiences, carried through generations. Through embodied exploration, we tune into our dance DNA-the vitality, rhythm, and wisdom inherited from those who came before us.

It is said that all of humanity traces back to just three ancestral lineages.

ROOTS invites us to remember that what connects us is far greater than what divides us.

Practical Info

📅 2nd-6th March 2026
📍 Birmingham Hippodrome
💷 £275 for the full 5-day intensive (Early Bird Price Valid Until 15/02/2026)

Full schedule on our website soon (please note: subject to minor changes).

Book Now

Payment Plan

Want to pay in 3 interest free payments instead of 1 upfront cost? You can now pay via PayThen.

Payment Plan Option

For any questions, please contact info@aakashodedra.com

Join us for a week that roots you deeper, lifts you higher, and connects you to the global dance community.

Re-Code. Re-Root. Re-Cord

Day 1: Monday 02 March 2026

TimeSession
9.00 - 9.30AMARRIVE- FREE SPACE
9.30 - 10.15AMBody conditioning with Kesha Raithatha
10.15 - 10.30AMBREAK
10.30AM -12.30PMLaura Vanhulle (Guest Artist)
12.30-1.30 PMLUNCH
1.30-3.30 PMLaura Vanhulle (Guest Artist)
3.30-3.45 PMBREAK
3.45-4.45 PMLaura Vanhulle (Guest Artist)
4.45 - 5.00PMLEAVE HIPPODROME
5.00 - 5.30PMTRAVEL BCU
5.30-7.00PMBCU Guest Speaker - Stephen Maddock

Day 2: Tuesday 03 March 2026

TIimeSession
9.00 - 9.15AMARRIVE- FREE SPACE
9.15-10.15 AMBody conditioning with Melissa Ugolini
10.15 -10.30AMBREAK
10.30AM -12.30PMLaura Vanhulle (Guest Artist)
12.30 - 1.30 PMLUNCH
1.30 - 3.30 PMLaura Vanhulle (Guest Artist)
3.30 - 3.45 PMBREAK
3.45 - 4.45 PMMelissa Ugolini (Guest Artist)
4.45 - 5.00PMLEAVE HIPPODROME
5.30 - TBCVenue TBC Guest Speaker - Rushil Ranjan

Day 3: Wednesday 04 March 2026

TIimeSession
9.00 - 9.15AMARRIVE - FREE SPACE
9.15 - 9.55 AMBody conditioning with Kesha Raithatha
9.55-10.00AMSHORT BREAK
10.00AM -12.00PMMelissa Ugolini (Guest Artist)
12.00 - 1.00 PMLUNCH
1.00 - 1.30 PMRECAP ABSORBING TIME LED BY KESHA
1.30 - 3.30 PMMelissa Ugolini (Guest Artist)
3.30 - 3.45 PMBREAK
3.45 - 4.45 PMAakash Odedra
4.45 - 5.00PMFREE SPACE
5.15 - 7.00PMHIPPODROME- Guest Speaker -Farooq Chowdhury (Executive Dance Producer)

Day 4: Thursday 05 March 2026

TimeSession
9.00-9.15AMARRIVE- FREE SPACE
9.15 - 10.00 AMBody conditioning with Kesha Raithatha
10.00 - 10.15AMBREAK
10.15AM -12.30PMSubhash Gorania (Aakash Odedra Company Artist)
12.30 - 13.30 PMLUNCH
13.30 - 3.30 PMSubhash Gorania (Aakash Odedra Company Artist)
3.30 - 3.45 PMBREAK
3.45 - 4.45 PMSubhash Gorania (Aakash Odedra Company Artist)
4.45 - 5.00PMLEAVE HIPPODROME
5.00 - 5.30PMTRAVEL TO MAC
5.30 - 7.00PMMAC Guest Speakers - Aakash, Deborah Kermode, Piali Ray & Skinder

Day 5: Friday 06 March 2026

TimeSession
9.00 - 9.15AMARRIVE- FREE SPACE
9.15- 9.55 AMBody conditioning with Kesha Raithatha
9.55-10.00AMBREAK
10.00AM -12.00PMSubhash Gorania (Aakash Odedra Company Artist)
12.00 - 1.00 PMLUNCH
1.00 - 3.00 PMSHARING PREP with Kesha
3.00 PM - 4.45 PMSHARING