Provost Todd joins Zara Smith (far left) and performers at DanceFest 2024

DanceFest 2024 – Ayrshire biggest celebration of dance

Dance Fest, Ayrshire’s biggest celebration of dance, had three sell out shows last week at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr.

The spectacular event showcased the very best of dance from local schools, community groups, private dance schools and stage schools plus a performance from our resident East Ayrshire Youth Dance Company.

Over 700 young people from 49 different groups put on an incredible show and the East Ayrshire Teacher Performance group that performed wowed the audience with a high-energy Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Carrie Craggs, entitled Independent Part 1.

Dance Fest was produced by Zara Smith Cultural Co-ordinator, Dance and Movement from East Ayrshire Council’s Creative Minds team, and featured a range of different dance styles and musical tastes, including musical theatre, street, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop.

Performances included James Hamilton Primary who presented a dance entitled Respect Me to the song Send Me On My Way, it was an emotional performance about bullying and respect; S2 from The Robert Burns Academy performed a commercial routine to Crazy What Love Can Do; Nathan from St Joesph’s Academy performed a contemporary dance, which he choreographed himself to Dream On; Dalmellington Primary literally rocked the house with a commercial routine to We Will Rock You; while Onthank Primary, wowed with a contemporary/ hip-hop routine to a number of crowd-pleasing songs including Wannabe, Apologise and Murder On the Dancefloor.

The tantalising and totally toe-tapping three-night event saw further highlights from Jam Street, I-Dance, Take a Bow, Dynamite, Karen E Moir and CentreStage.

Zara Smith said: “Dance Fest represents the culmination of weeks and months of practice by pupils and their teachers in schools across East Ayrshire who come together to share their love of dance on stage. It is a spectacular celebration and showcase, which everyone finds really uplifting. The show also reflects the ongoing and much-appreciated support and encouragement from parents, family members and carers.”

Provost Jim Todd said: “Dance Fest is an incredible celebration of dance. The audience was bowled over by the talent, commitment and interpretation displayed by our children and young people, who were brimming with confidence as they performed. Congratulations to Zara Smith for producing a wonderful event and to all the performers.”

Photos from the event are available online