Dance Live! to return to Portsmouth in 2021 - and your child's school can register now

A DANCE event is set to return to the city in 2021 after making its debut earlier this year.
A photo from Dance Live! 2020 at Portsmouth Guildhall in February. Picture: Nick Scott PhotographyA photo from Dance Live! 2020 at Portsmouth Guildhall in February. Picture: Nick Scott Photography
A photo from Dance Live! 2020 at Portsmouth Guildhall in February. Picture: Nick Scott Photography

Dance Live! took place at Portsmouth Guildhall in February and saw 39 schools take part, with more than 2,000 young people from across the south taking part in the heats before the final was played out virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It has now been announced that following its successful launch this year, the competition will be back in March 2021.

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13 great photos from Monday's Dance Live 2020 at Portsmouth Guildhall
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The event invites young people between the ages of 7-18 to take to the stage and perform creative dance routines that are choreographed to the backdrop of a giant digital screen, embracing the digital world and changing face of modern performance.

Learning and participation manager for The Guildhall Trust, Hayley Reay, said: ‘Dance Live! forms a core part of the Charitable Trust’s ‘Get Involved’ programme of activities and skills development for all ages.

‘The response to Dance Live! in 2020 was phenomenal and we were amazed by the quality and imagination of the performances.

‘We have been humbled by some of the feedback received and how this experience has transformed young people’s lives through growth in their confidence and new friendships formed, and are delighted to have had such a positive response, in spite of the challenges, for the event in 2021.’

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The 2021 event will proceed adhering to all government guidelines with a range of Covid safety measures in place at the ‘We’re Good to Go’ certified venue including social distancing, limited capacities, sanitisation and enhanced cleaning procedures.

Schools will also be provided with guidance on how to create a performance keeping to the regulations.

With a focus on raising aspirations and developing off-stage, technical skills as well as providing the opportunity for many to perform on stage for the first time, Dance Live! takes participants on a journey before their live performances are constructively judged by industry professionals with cash prizes and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences to be won.

The competition sees skill development workshops offered to participants before pupils go on to produce graphics for the big screen to accompany their performance and a 2-minute introduction video to their piece, with up to 20 roles available for off-stage crew.

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Schools and colleges can contact for more information on [email protected] or (023) 9387 0193.

Registration is now open until 5pm on Monday, October 12.

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