Formal registration opens for Dance Live! 2021
Read the media release below or click here to head straight to Dance Live Registration!
After a very positive response and expressions of interest from schools and colleges, The Guildhall Trust has now opened its formal registration process for Dance Live! 2021, an exciting dance event to be held at Portsmouth Guildhall in March next year.
The competition, which was a new event for 2020, 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.
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 Dance Live! journey 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.
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 adhering to the guidelines.
The Guildhall Trust welcomes new schools and colleges to get involved, they do not need to have previously expressed their interest to be able to register. An introduction pack and videos are available on the website or by request for those interested in finding out more.
In 2020, 39 schools featuring over 2,000 young people from across the south took part in the Heats before the Final was played out virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event received glowing feedback from all involved and it is intended that next year’s event will build on its inaugural success, engaging even more schools and pupils:
“An amaaaazing first Dance Live!!! So wonderful to have such an experienced judge who knows what he is looking for! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, well organised and the children had a fantastic time. Loved the LED screen!!!!!”
Solent Junior School
“Thank you so much for an amazing day. You have put so much hard work into the event and it was a huge success. Parents, children and staff all commented what a relaxed atmosphere it was and how the whole day including the evening performance ran smoothly. You made it all about the children and them having an amazing day. The LED screen was amazing”.
The Federation of Nettlestone and Newchurch Primary Schools
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.