Hundreds take part in Newton Aycliffe dance festival (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Hundreds take part in Newton Aycliffe dance festival

2:16pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Lizzie Anderson

MORE than 600 children tangoed, quickstepped and cartwheeled their way to rapturous applause at a community dance festival this week.

The two-day event, at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, saw youngsters from 27 County Durham schools perform high energy dance routines, many of which they choreographed themselves.

From street, contemporary and ball room; to disco, country and a powerful Maori war dance – the festival covered a range of disciplines.

Some schools, meanwhile, drew inspiration from their studies, with dance routines based on China, scientific forces and a host of other topics.

Sedgefield School Sport Partnership (Sssp) organised the festival to provide a platform for children to showcase their talents.

Diane Snowsill, Sssp manager, said the young dancers had put on a show to be proud of.

“This is not a competitive event as we believe the experience of performing in such a big space is challenging enough for the children,” she said. “Competitive sport has its place but I think events like these are equally important.

“We have had kids aged from four or five right up to 15. Children with special needs have taken part too – yesterday we had wheelchair dancing.

“What is nice is that the schools have brought whole classes along, not just the best dancers, meaning all pupils are given the opportunity to perform.”

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