Residents are being invited to grab a partner and take to the dance floor next week to show off their salsa moves and help celebrate three years of the Cultural Olympiad's Dancing for the Games in the city.
The event, Salsa Big Band Dance Night, takes place in the Victoria Hall next Friday (24) and features Grupo Lokito, a band that fuses contemporary Congolese and Latino music.
Formed in 2006 by British Latin pianist Sara McGuinness and Congolese singer Jose Hendrix Ndelo, Grupo Lokito's musicians are a mix of Congolese, Latin and British artists.
The Dancing for the Games project in Stoke-on-Trent, World of Dance, has engaged 22,000 people in dance activity and performance across the city. From Bhangra to Ballroom, Hip Hop to Belly dance participants have enjoyed fun taster dance workshops, lessons and theatre production. Participants have ranged in ages from two to 92 and dance activity has taken place in various locations from care homes, Girl Guide groups, after school clubs and carnivals.
It’s a Dancing for the Games project, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands and funded by Legacy Trust UK and Arts Council England and run in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke Creative Learning.
A salsa dance instructor, provided by Stoke Creative Learning, will also be part of the event to help get everyone on their
feet and dancing to the beat.
Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member economic development, culture and sport, said: “The three year World of Dance
project has encouraged people to get fit and healthy through dance. Many have been beginners who have learnt to dance and
gone on to dance regularly at various venues and dance schools across the city.
“Lots of children have had experience of performing at the Victoria Hall as part of the programme in front of packed
audiences which will have been a wonderful experience in this Olympic year.”
Salsa Big Band Dance Night takes place at the Victoria Hall, City Centre on Friday August 24, 2012 between 7:30pm and 9:45pm.
Tickets are just £5 and can be booked by calling 0844 8717649 or from the Regent Theatre Box Office.
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For all media enquiries contact Steven Kennedy in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232987.