Welcome to the July issue of the South West Regional Youth Dance E-Newsletter, bringing you all the latest news, opportunities and highlights from across the region. From exciting local events and workshops to national competitions and awards, there are plenty of ways to get involved in dance!

Calling all youth dance groups! Dance South West is looking for the very best talent across the region to take part in U.Dance South West 2012 at Pavilion Dance, Bournemouth on 17 and 18 March 2012.

A panel of independent  dance professionals and young people will assess the applications and select a maximum of 24 groups to take part, aiming for the broadest regional representation.

Successful applicants will then have the opportunity to showcase their skills and widen their experience through a range of workshops and rehearsals, before taking part in a widely promoted public performance.

But that’s not all! U.Dance South West 2012 will also act as a selection platform for Youth Dance England’s flagship event, U.Dance 2012. This is a national residential dance programme, featuring an incredible programme of performances and workshops, culminating in a high-profile performance at the Southbank Centre in London.

Apply for U.Dance South West 2012 now. For more information on U.Dance 2012 visit www.u-dance.org

Somerset’s LA Festival Group performing  'Radar' at Spring 

Take Art - Spring Forward

Spring Forward  is Take Art’s Annual Youth Dance Platform, which this year was held at The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton and The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil with over 350 young people taking part, from 30 groups across Somerset and neighbouring counties.

Find out more about Take Art online

ReStaged Platform - Bristol

The annual ReStaged platform drew an audience of 900 to Colston Hall at the end of June. As well as a selection platform for Harbourside Festival’s Dance Village, the event featured three guest acts 

You can see the winners perform at ‘Funk the  Quay’ on Saturday  30 July and again on the Circus Stage on Sunday 31 July at Harbourside.

Take Art - Spring Forward

Spring Forward  is Take Art’s Annual Youth Dance Platform, which this year was held at The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton and The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil with over 350 young people taking part, from 30 groups across Somerset and neighbouring counties.

Find out more about Take Art online

ReStaged Platform - Bristol

The annual ReStaged platform drew an audience of 900 to Colston Hall at the end of June. As well as a selection platform for Harbourside Festival’s Dance Village, the event featured three guest acts

– Breakin Nest, Bang Town and Plague.

You can see the winners perform at ‘Funk the  Quay’ on Saturday  30 July and again on the Circus Stage on Sunday 31 July at Harbourside.

In The News...

Portrait County Youth Dance Company perform site specific project to stunned shoppers in Weymouth!

Wearing black and blonde wigs and striking 1940’s costumes, dancers from The Portrait County Youth Dance Company stunned shoppers in the Weymouth branch of Debenhams in May.

The performance caused quite a stir as puzzled  shoppers stopped to take photos of the dancers as they struck synchronised poses and walked around the store in a line with constant deadpan expressions.                                                                       

Portrait County Youth Dance Company

The performance was part of a series of events being supported by the Arts Council through the county wide

Activate programme and the B-Side Festival events being held in Weymouth and Portland.

Read more about the story online