Alchemy of Community

Bailando with Sally is hosting Alchemy of Community at King George V Playing Fields on Saturday 11 July, a free family day out in Portsmouth. It's a community event rather than a single performance, so there's a fair bit to do throughout the day.

The main draw is the Latin dance, with performances on the grass and creative workshops for families to get stuck into. Alongside that, there's live instrumental music on flute, and a community picnic that runs through the day. It's set up as a family affair, so it works as well for people coming with kids as it does for those just wanting to hang out and watch. Local businesses will also be there, using the space to promote what they do without selling anything on the day.

It's worth knowing where it sits in the city's summer calendar: while it has the support of Portsmouth City Council, it isn't part of the 'Live at the Bandstand' programme, so it's its own separate thing. The whole day is built around the idea of community connection, and the mix of dance, music, and the picnic is meant to bring people together rather than just give them something to watch from the sidelines.

Entry is free, and it's open to all ages, so it's an easy one to drop into with the family. You'll find it at King George V Playing Fields on Saturday 11 July.