About London
Found on the edge of River Thames is a city called London and the capital of England. Formerly known as Londinium during the time of the Romans, the city has a rich history involving invasions from Anglo-Saxons and Vikings as well as the Great Plague of the 15th century, which killed a third of the population. A great fire also devastated London in 1666, and it took 10 years to rebuild the city.
Today London has a rich culture and diverse population, where over 300 languages are spoken. You can find over 192 museums and more than 197 festivals that take place here every year. Some of the most famous gatherings include the Mayor’s Thames Festival, which is free to attend, and the Notting Hill Carnival, which is the biggest of its kind in Europe and often has close to 1 million attendants. The town is a popular filming location for famous movies and has an active art scene, making it a great destination for a dance studio space in London.
Dance Studio Options in London
When you are looking for a place to rent as a dance studio, you will need to make sure that the location has enough free space, flat and even floors, dance bars and more. Here are some things to remember to get for your London dance studio space.
- Lighting
Necessary for making your dance studio safe and functional, you will need to have adequate lighting at your venue. This will allow you and your dancers to properly see the floors, walls and each other so that no accidents happen and everyone can perform safely and to the best of their ability.
- Mirrors
Mirrors are another common tool seen in dance studios. Whether you have a whole wall made of mirrors or several large ones set up, it will be beneficial for the dancers to be able to see themselves and each other from all angles to improve.
- Video Recording
If you want to use the dance studio as a learning space or a way to advertise the dancers and the sport, having video recording devices available can be beneficial as well. Properly set up equipment can be used to record practices for your dancers to look back on and see how they can improve.
Dance Studio Companies in London
It can be challenging to set up the perfect performance space, but thankfully the city is full of theatres, studios and companies that specialise in performing arts. This means that you can find help here for whatever you need at your venue.
- Sparks Theatrical Hire Ltd
Sparks Theatrical Hire Ltd is a company available in London, England that has supplied lighting to many theatres and events in the city. At your dance studio, you may want LED lights, conventional lights, followspots, stands or lights with moving heads, which can be hired from a company like this one.
- Mirrorman of Marylebone
Boasting one of the largest selection mirrors in the UK, Mirrorman of Marylebone is a good place for you to buy mirrors in London. This company offers many styles and sizes of mirrors that will make your London dance studio space look great.
- Panny Hire Camera
Available at this company are cameras, lenses, audio equipment and accessories that can be used to record dances at your London dance studio space. They also offer crews to film for you, or workshops and courses to teach you how to use the advanced equipment yourself.
Pros and Cons of Dance Studios in London
This is a beautiful city and there are lots of theatres and studios here, making it a suitable place for a dance performance. However, every city has some advantages and disadvantages, and listed below are some to consider about London.
Advantages
- A rich history
The city of London, England has a rich history and much of those years can be seen in the architecture and design of the town. Many iconic locations can be visited here, whether they are famous filming locations or old preserved buildings. As well, visit some of the nearly 200 museums offered in the city to learn about the history of London.
- Amazing food
The city is home to more than 15,000 restaurants and has a very culturally diverse population. You can try food originating from a variety of places around the world here and with so many options you can eat somewhere new every day that you are practising dance in London.
- Things to do inside and outside
The center of the city is buzzing with restaurants, theatres and museums, but what most people don’t realize is that nearly half of London’s land is dedicated to parks and forests. This means that you will find lots to do on a rainy day, and when you want to spend time outside after dance practise, London can provide that as well.
Disadvantages
- An expensive city
London has one of the highest costs of living in the world, being ranked as 6th most expensive back in 2016. All aspects of your London dance studio space can be planned with a suitable budget.
- Busy public transport at rush hour
London has a functional tube system with 270 stations connected around the city. This means that you can reach almost anywhere by traveling underground; however, the system is quite popular and can be very busy during rush hour. There are some lines that must operate over max capacity during these busy hours, so if you are planning to travel to your London dance studio space via public means, be sure to avoid the busier areas.
- The city is not too clean
Littering and pollution are common in most large cities, and London is no exception. It can be more noticeable in the busier parts of the town, but London definitely is not the cleanest city in the world.
Famous Locations in London
- London Eye
The London Eye is the huge Ferris wheel found in the city that serves as the centerpiece in the town’s New Years’ fireworks show. Taking a ride in the London Eye will reward you with the best views of the city, and at night the Ferris wheel is lit up with colours suited to the season.
- Thames Cruise
Another great way to see the city is by taking a cruise down the Thames. Ending in the North Sea, River Thames is the largest river in England and has been an important part of the city since the Romans. You will pass by important landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, and cruises are offered both in the daytime and at night.
- Brixton Academy
Originally a cinema and theatre by the name of Astoria in 1929, Brixton Academy is where many tourists and locals go to see live music today. Some of the most famous rock and pop bands have played here, including Madonna, The Clash, New Order and The Smiths.
