Get set for some ACE Dancers!

21st February 2008

DOZENS of schools from across Cumbria are set to take part in the ACE Dance Festival.The festival is an annual event organised by Cumbria County Council and brings together pupils from Barrow, Copeland, Allerdale, Carlisle and Eden schools, to perform and celebrate their achievements in dance.

Dance is one of the six activity areas of the National Curriculum PE and is studied at all key stages. Twelve schools are involved, plus newly-formed youth dance group VIBE, and performances will range from reception classes to GCSE dance pupils. VIBE will be fresh from the Youth Dance England north-west selection event in Warrington on February 24, which may offer them the chance to be part of the national Youth Dance England Festival in London during July.

Pupils have been working hard during the spring term with their teacher, or with the assistance of a dance artist to choreograph their performances. Dance artists bring with them their own dance styles and experiences. All the dance artists are local and have been selected both for their ability to work well with young people and for their creative expertise.

Cumbria County Council’s Sport and Physical Education Development manager, Vanessa Foster said: “The festival is a great opportunity for our schools to get involved in a county-wide initiative and to see what each other is achieving in dance. “It’s a unique way to build confidence and self-esteem in our young people, and it’s particularly nice for younger and older children to share a professional stage. “We’re delighted this year to be featuring some of the new youth dance groups.”

The performances are being held on:

Carlisle, The Sands Centre, Fri 29^th Feb 2008

Eden, The Sands Centre, Thur 28^th Feb 2008

Allerdale, Theatre by the Lake, Tue 26^th Feb 2008

Barrow in Furness, Forum 28, Mon 3^rd March 2008

Whitehaven, Civic Hall, Fri 7^th March 2008

Tickets for all performances (except The Brewery) are priced at £4.50 and are available from the respective venue box offices. For details, contact Lynn Fade (Cumbria Dance Co-ordinator) on 01931 715546 or Vanessa Foster (Cumbria Sport) on 01228 606799.