CUCDW was founded in August 1999 in the Copper Kettle Coffee shop by eight student dancers who felt that the existing contemporary dance operations in Cambridge needed a central force to co-ordinate classes, inform interested parties and promote contemporary dance in Cambridge and the surrounding regions. In the years since its founding we have grown into the largest contemporary dance operation in Cambridgeshire.
In addition to our regular timetable of classes and workshops in contemporary, hiphop and a range of other styles, we provide choreography and performance opportunities through our shows. There may be several of these a year, but the highlight of our performing year is the annual mainshow held for five nights at the ADC Theatre in late January. Now in its 5th year, this annual show showcases a wide variety of dance styles in exciting new choreography by members of the society. These shows have proved a resounding success both commercially and critically, becoming the biggest event in the Cambridge performing dance calendar. Shows have also been taken to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and this year plans are underway to perform at Resolution! 2008 at The Place, London.
Over the years CUCDW has acted as a springboard for young dancers to enter the professional scene. CUCDW dancers have gone on to train at London Contemporary Dance School, Laban and Central School of Ballet, perform with EDge, Greenbean Dance and other companies, and work with the Arts Council (England), The Place and other dance agencies.