A GROUND-BREAKING project called UK Dance Showcase, part of Surf The Wave, is powered by Pavilion Dance South West and supported by Lighthouse, in an attempt to provoke a change in how dance is toured in the UK.

The project is primarily for venue programmers from all over the country, but a number of performances are also open to the public. Three of these take place at Lighthouse this month.

1. Candoco Dance Company/Scottish Dance Theatre on Friday, May 17 at 7.30pm. Candoco Dance Company created a sensation last year when its contemporary dancers performed to more than 10 million people on Strictly Come Dancing. This renowned company of disabled and non-disabled dancers continues to deliver profound, boundary-pushing experiences.

2. Surf the Wave: Short Dance Works on Saturday, May 18 at 4.30pm. An evening of kathak, hip hop and contemporary. Agudo Dance Company present a collaboration between classical Indian dancer Mavin Khoo and Jose Agudo, who blends his flamenco roots with a unique contemporary style. Silk Road is a personal yet universal story of East meets West and is performed with an evocative live score.

3. Luca Silvestrini’s Protein - The Little Prince on Sunday, May, 19 at 1.30pm. An enchanting dance show for children young and old in which Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s story, The Little Prince is brought to life using Protein’s award-winning mix of dance, humour and spoken word.

n There will also be a programme of free outdoor dance workshops popping up all over Bournemouth on Saturday, May 18. For more details, see surfthewaveuk.org.uk