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THE toes have been tapped, the votes have been cast, and today the three winners of The Journal Big Dance Competition will get their moment in the spotlight.
Last week we asked Journal readers to vote at journallive.co.uk after enjoying half a dozen performances by talented North East dancers and dance groups, shortlisted for the honour of performing at today’s launch event for the North East Big Dance 2012 event at Times Square in Newcastle.
You kindly obliged and selected performances by Famous 4.15’s Famously Fresh, Newcastle; Catherine Muckle, Northumberland; and Front and Centre Studio’s Hellcats Street Crew, Newcastle, as your top three.
Today, the trio of acts who won your votes, will make up the penultimate performance of the two-hour event in Newcastle, which is part of a week-long nationwide celebration of dance in parks, palaces, schools, high streets and squares.
Anthony Baker, artistic director and chief executive at regional dance agency, Dance City in Newcastle, said: “After so many entries to the competition, we are delighted that these three groups won following the huge public support for this competition.
“It was fantastic to see a contemporary dance performer being selected along with the two street groups. We hope that everyone who voted joins Dance City and the winning entrants at our launch event for the North East Big Dance programme.”
Catherine Muckle, 20, from Cramlington is just finishing her second year at the Northern School for Contemporary Dance in Leeds. She said: “I was surprised enough when I got shortlisted, but to be chosen as one of the winners is just amazing. It was lucky I’d created a solo piece for my degree a few weeks ago! I’m so excited about performing it on such a big stage.”
As well as The Journal winners, five other youth dance companies will perform alongside five of their professional counterparts, including Bad Taste Cru, Urban Games and Lindy Jazz.
In addition, music groups Vinyl Jacket and The Costellos will perform, while Newcastle United’s Steven Taylor, Michael Richardson and four Academy players will appear – with the latter showing off a sporty menu of ball tricks and skills.
Although the main event kicks off at 1pm, there will also be a duo of warm-up dance gatherings in Eldon Square and the Grainger Market in Newcastle where there will be opportunities to participate as well as be entertained.
These performances will run from 10.25am until 12.45pm, giving everyone time to get down to Times Square for the Big Dance 2012.
For more information on the wider Big Dance 2012 programme, visit www.bigdance2012.com.
