What an incredible start to the year here at DC! The students have been working hard in the studio in the lead up to our show iDance at HMT. This has been such an exciting time for all and we are so excited to showcase their talent. Catch up on all our news and special behind the scenes by heading to our social media pages. Check out some teasers below by clicking the arrow on the right of the photo below. More photos will be available soon from Graham Read at Photo GFX Media LTD and Charlotte Kinsella photography.
Photo GFX Media LTD: https://photogfx.co.uk/
Charlotte Kinsella Photography: https://www.charlottekinsella.com/
It's been a wonderful week for all of the staff and students here at DC as we opened our show iDance at HMT. We would like to thank and congratulate all of our students taking part for their time and managing so well among extra rehearsals at the theatre, adapting from the studio space to the stage, and for their dedication and hard work over these past few months in the build up to the show. Check out the video below involving a few of our ex DC students, currently working in the industry, sending their support to our pupils in the lead up opening night. Thank you to the following for taking the time to send in these lovely messages.
George Adams - Founder of LPM Dance
Katie Armstrong - Katie Armstrong Projects
Cameron Flynn - Matthew Bourne New Adventures
Clara Cowen - Freelance Dancer
Harris Beattie - Northern Ballet
Murray Williams - Cruise Ship Performer
Angela Towler - Ex Rambert Dancer/Rehearsal Director, currently working with Akram Khan
Act 1: Journey into the Unknown
Our show kicks off with 'Journey into the Unknown', based on the story The Wizard of Oz. Dottie and her friends start Act 1 with 'School Days', expecting another normal day, however, Dottie gets swept away by the storm and finds herself in the land of Oz where she meets Glinda, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion. They are all on a journey to meet the Wizard for their wishes to be fulfilled, but no journey every runs smoothly as they come across some challenges created by the Witch.
Huge congratulations to both the Red and Blue cast students on incredible performances. Act 1 students range from as young as Primary 4-S3, who have all done a brilliant job in retaining choreography and performing with so much joy! Follow the link to read a wonderful review of our opening night: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/entertainment/4017236/danscentre-his-majestys-theatre-aberdeen/
Act 2: Ballet and Contemporary
Act 2 features choreography inspired by the classic ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Sylphide, Raymonda and Giselle. Danced by Grade 5-Grade 8 students, these pieces showcase the hard work they have put into their technique over the years with mesmerizing performances. We then lead into the Vocational Ballet section, involving our Coaching A, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Adv Foundation and Adv 1/2 students dancing to the music of Vivaldi: Four Seasons. Act 2 also shows moving contemporary pieces Catch the Wind and Abide With Me, along with the exciting performance of Gotham.
Act 3: Modern, Tap and Contemporary
Lastly, Act 3 provides a diverse range of styles from Musical Theatre, Tap and Modern to commercial dance and hard hitting contemporary. It truly is a shows stopper of an act, including songs for all ages to recognize and bring smiles to audience's faces. The closing of Act 3 is a contemporary piece danced to 'Let it Be' involving our past DC students who weren't able to participate in their final HMT show in 2020 due to the pandemic. We are delighted to have them back on stage for one last time together to shine.
Dancing Ladies and Dads
Our fabulous Ladies and Dancing Dads are taking the stage on our final Saturday evening performance all to raise money for their chosen charities. The Ladies are raising funds for Bosies Breast Cancer Charity, whilst the Dancing Dads are giving their donations to Home-Start Garioch and British Heart Foundation Aberdeen. These performances are going to blow audiences away with their enthusiasm and brilliant dancing! Here are some testimonies from both our Ladies and Dancing Dads on how much the experience has meant to them.
'No matter how we felt and what we had in our minds before a rehearsal, we always left with a big smile on our face!'
'The "journey" has been an amazing experience, but I'm also sure that the outcome will be of high standards and aesthetically pleasing. I wouldn't be surprised if we get invited to tour Scotland...'
'I was absolutely overwhelmed last night rehearsing at HMT. First dance show ever in my life and what a great start at HMT with 2 great teachers and a 9 dancing dads legends. It’s a privilege. Thanks guys'
'To be able to take what we learn in the adult classes and actually perform a dance on stage at HMT is beyond exciting. Each week we learn small sections of choreography which magically becomes a full dance piece. We become very close with our dance classmates and help each other out when memories go blank. Rocking up to the Stage Door on rehearsal night truly kicks in the reality "I'm going to be on stage" The adrenaline buzz for the performance is truly uplifting. Hair, makeup, costume all adds to the buzz. It is a true money can't buy experience and I feel proud to be part of Danscentre as an adult and still have the opportunity dance.'
After nearly a year of zoom adult classes it was great to get back into the studio. I love dancing and always leave classes with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. It is fantastic to be part of such an amazing show and just wonderful to be dancing on the HMT stage. We chose Bosies as our charity, they raise money for our local breast cancer unit. Several friends and my childhood dancing teacher have had treatment for breast cancer through this unit, so it is great that we are able to give them support through our funds raised.
You can still donate to the chosen charities! All participants and us here at Danscentre kindly ask and would greatly appreciate your support by offering a donation to these causes via our Just Giving pages as linked below:
Danscentre's chosen charity for the iDance show fundraising is Friends of Anchor. Head to the link below to read more on how they support our community:
Special Thanks
We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors Lett's Properties, ISA, CNR and Well Safe Solutions for supporting our iDance performances this week. Also to Graham Read from Photo GFX Media LTD and Charlotte Kinsella Photography for capturing special moments from our performances.
