Three of Coventry’s most exciting dance companies are coming together for Hold Your Own 2026 - an afternoon of powerful performance, collaboration and community, which takes place at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Sunday 14 June.

At the heart of this year’s event is the growing creative partnership between Warwick Arts Centre’s resident elders’ company, Out of Whack, and Coventry-based Ascension Dance. This evolving relationship marks a significant moment for both organisations, supported by a newly secured Arts Council England grant awarded to Out of Whack to develop the company and deepen this collaboration.

Through this partnership, dancers from different generations are working side-by-side, blending experience with fresh perspectives to create bold, socially resonant work. This is brought to life in Hold Your Own 2026 through two key performances.

Rubble, originally created for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 (when it was debuted at The Belgrade Theatre), sees Out of Whack and Ascension Youth share the stage in a moving intergenerational piece reflecting on displacement, uncertainty, and the strength of community in the aftermath of the Coventry Blitz.

Alongside this, Out of Whack also premiere Both Held and Holding, a new work created with Ascension Dance’s Company Director and choreographer Ashley Jordan. The piece explores connection, care, and community, building on the shared language and trust developed through the partnership.

Ascension Youth also present Rebellion, a high-energy and thought-provoking new work exploring protest, frustration, and resistance, asking urgent questions about how society listens to, and values, young voices.

Completing the programme, Nrithyam School Of Dance bring their rich cultural heritage combined with contemporary influences to two performances: Womanhood, a classical Indian dance piece celebrating identity and storytelling; and North Meets South, a new fusion work blending classical, folk, and contemporary influences.

In addition to their performance, Nrithyam are also delivering a free 15 minute drop-in ‘taster workshop’ immediately before the showcase, which the audience can attend.

The Arts Council England grant will enable Out of Whack to continue developing ambitious new work, increase visibility for older dancers, and strengthen long-term collaboration with Ascension Dance - demonstrating the value of inclusive, intergenerational creative practice.

Hold Your Own 2026 is a powerful reflection of what can be achieved through partnership: artists and communities coming together to share stories, challenge perspectives, and celebrate creativity across cultures and generations.

Hold Your Own 2026 is at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Sunday 14 June 2026 with the Taster Workshop at 3.30pm and Showcase at 4pm. Ticket £3.50.