Overwhelming support for a dance to mark the two year countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games has proven so popular all 250 tickets have been snapped up in just one week.
The ballroom and sequence dance will take place on Thursday 22 July. The popularity of the dance highlights the reach of the city council’s ‘World of Dance’ project that has seen 831 dancers aged between two and 92 join in a variety of dance activities for all ages and abilities.
World of Dance has been awarded the Inspire Mark which recognizes innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Over the last year in Stoke, residents have been encouraged to try out a range of dance styles ranging from Bhangra, Ballroom, Hip Hop and Belly Dancing.
Responding to demand, Programme Manager Vanessa Darlington has ‘quick stepped’ to arrange a series of eight free ‘Learn to Ballroom Dance’ classes for complete beginners who wanted to come to the dance. The sessions will run every Thursday evening from the 26 August to 14 October at 6pm until 7.15pm at the Kings Hall in Stoke. If you would like to take up one of the 100 places please register your details with Vanessa by calling 01782 236156.
World of Dance was commissioned as part of the People Dancing programme and is funded by the Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games, Arts Council England West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands.
Event organisers and community groups who would like to arrange a free dance workshop or meet Bhangra Bunny should call Vanessa Darlington on 01782 236156 to arrange a session.
Disappointed dancers unable to get tickets to the event can still experience dancing on what is reputedly the second best dance floor in the country by attending one of the regular Ballroom and Sequence dances that take place in the Kings Hall most Thursdays 8 -11.30pm with doors opening at 7.30pm. Admission is £4 per person and refreshments are available. To find out more including the resident musician please call 01782 232631.
The People Dancing programme is aimed at people of all ages, backgrounds, skills and abilities. From professional dance organisations to local dance schools to sports groups combining sport and dance, People Dancing will build on the rich and diverse dance infrastructure that already exists in the West Midlands.