Staffordshire residents urged to get dancing for the games

 

People across Staffordshire are being encouraged to get involved in an exciting county wide dance project inspired by London 2012.

Get Dancing will provide people in Staffordshire with the fantastic opportunity to take part in a London 2012 dance project and to perform on stage in a spectacular county showcase.

Get Dancing is part of the Dancing for the Games programme which is inspired by London 2012 and forms part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands.

The project is being funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands.

Open workshops led by the renowned Retina Dance Company took place in the October half-term week at Parkfields Leisure Centre, Leek, The Brewhouse, Burton-on-Trent, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford and The Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock Chase.

Further workshops will be taking place in February 2012 in Lichfield, Tamworth, Newcastle-Under-Lyme and South Staffordshire.

Cabinet member for culture, communities and customers Pat Corfield said:

“Dancing for the Games embodies the participative spirit of the Cultural Olympiad, which provides a fantastic build-up to the Olympic Games next year.

“The 2012 Games are very much a national event and one in which Staffordshire will continue to play its part through an array of cultural and learning activities.

“This exciting project is a great example of a community focussed cultural activity and I encourage the people of Staffordshire to get dancing!”

Naomi Temple, Programme Manager for Dancing for the Games said:

“We are delighted that Get Dancing is part of our Dancing for the Games programme, which aims to make the West Midlands the region for dance in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It is fantastic that through this project people from across Staffordshire will have the opportunity to work with Retina, an internationally renowned dance company and to create their own choreography to be performed throughout the county.”

The Get Dancing workshops are open to anyone over the age of 11 and cost only £1.50. Places can be booked by contacting the venues directly or online at: www.danceconnected.org.uk.

Further information

For more information on how to get involved in the Dancing for the Games project please contact Alison Lord, Dance Development Officer at Staffordshire County Council’s Heritage and Arts on 01785 278647 or via e-mail alison.lord@staffordshire.gov.uk.