HUNDREDS of youngsters from across East Anglia descended on Lowestoft this week to take part in what is believed to be the biggest dance festival in the region.
HUNDREDS of youngsters from across East Anglia descended on Lowestoft this week to take part in what is believed to be the biggest dance festival in the region.
And for organisers of the Lowestoft and Beccles Schools' Sport Partnership dance festival this event was the largest yet - as it increases in popularity each year.
Beginning as a one day festival in 2004, before growing to a two day spectacle at the Marina Theatre, this was the second year that the event had spanned three days.
With 45 schools and dance groups featuring more than 900 pupils - aged between five and 18 - hitting the stage to perform 66 different dance routines, the festival was hailed as another success.
Held for the fifth consecutive year at the Marina, the event took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday. And John Hughes, the schools' sport partnership manager, said: 'The sports partnership was established to increase opportunities and standards in schools' sport and as such is involved in a whole host of sports developmental work.
'However without doubt the biggest annual event and highlight of each year is the partnership's dance festival,' he added.
With rehearsals at the theatre each morning this week there were special performances to capacity crowds each afternoon with 22 different dance routines on display from the youngsters.
Hip hop, themed dances, street dance, modern dance, cheerleading, jazz, disco, line dancing, ballet, pop music and rock 'n' roll were just some of the different genres of dance that were watched and enjoyed by the youngsters, teachers and parents.
'It is tremendous to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the participating dancers,' Mr Hughes said. 'They and their teachers have obviously spent many hours back in school preparing their festival pieces.
'The resulting overall quality has once again been fantastic,' he added.
The partnership praised Active Waveney and Belle Coaches for supporting this year's festival, as well as hosts the Marina Theatre, their staff and manager Martin Halliday.
For more information on this year's festival and details of the partnership's work, log onto www.lowbecssco.co.uk
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