Rudolf-Oetker-Halle

Admirers of classical music know the "Rudolf-Oetker-Halle" as an acoustic masterpiece. Since the building was opened in 1930, the concert hall has collected orchestras, conductors and soloists from all over the world like a magnet.

At the end of the concert season however, one week before school holidays begin, the Kulturamt technicians move into the dignified space and bring in truckloads of equipment, transforming the concert hall within a week into a dance center. On Monday morning everything is ready. The "Rudolf-Oetker-Halle" is now the focal point of the "Tanzfestival". For a two week period, it will be the meeting place for dance enthusiasts from Bielefeld and the region, as well as from all over Germany and beyond.

The metropolitan rail station stop "Rudolf-Oetker-Halle" is right in front of the building. Participants cross the outside staircase and enter the foyer, where they are greeted at the reception desk by members of the "Tanzfestival" staff. The festival office is located on the left side of the foyer; here you can find further information and take care of any formalities in regard to bookings or rebooking of workshops. The studios are located on two different floors of the building and are clearly designated by placards.

Each studio has its own atmosphere. The "Großer Saal" (Studio 1) is huge. The dance space takes up only a small part of the 1.400 seat area used during concert operations. This hall also includes the large stage that is used at the end of the second week to celebrate the exuberant final stage presentation. The "Kleiner Saal" (Studio 2) on the other hand, gives the impression of being in a fairy-tale castle. Monumental chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and on the front side, a wall-sized tapestry serves as a decoration. A Steinway grand piano for the ballet training accompanist is located on the small stage. The "Orchesterraum" has a totally different aura. Normally, orchestra musicians use this space to prepare for their performances. The foyer of the "Kleiner Saal" is the youngest of the four studios. Equipped with sprung dance flooring, this space has allows us to offer a larger range of workshops in the "Rudolf-Oetker-Halle".

With the continuously growing range of workshops, the festival has gone beyond the scope of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle. In 2025, the body work workshops will take place for the first time in SO2 (hall on the 2nd floor/elevator available) at the Kulturamt Bielefeld. We are looking forward to the transformation of our event hall into a dance hall and to the meeting of dance enthusiasm and cultural administration!