We all need a little Christmas and the young dancers from Pat Cummings School of Dance are here to bring a little holiday cheer to Port Alberni with a show of the same name.
Everyone from hip-hop to ballet dancers will be taking part in the dance school’s “We Need a Little Christmas” concert this Friday, Dec. 12.
A group of nine-year-old ballet dancers have been practicing a dance called “My Favourite Things.” Complete with presents and twirling in party dresses, the girls are excited to show off their skills.
It’s been years since the Pat Cummings School of Dance put on a Christmas show and for the seven girls in the group, this will be their very first one with the school.
The girls come in for one hour a week and they have to learn grade work for their ballet exams, enter into competitions as well as learn the dance for the Christmas show.
“They’ve had to think and learn quickly and they’ve done very well; I’m very pleased with them,” said Alison Cowan, the school’s artistic director. “They’re a really good class.”
While the ballet dancers practice upstairs, another class is practicing for the Christmas show in a room below.
The five- to eight-year-olds in the school’s Move and Groove introductory hip-hop class are also performing at the Christmas show.
“They’re the most recreational dancers that we have in the show, this is just an open class like something you would see at the rec centre,” said instructor Jennifer Walsh.
The dancers, most of whom are brand new to dancing, have been preparing for the show for six weeks.
After the dancing’s done at the end of the show, performers will sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to close out the night.
The Pat Cummings School of Dance’s “We Need a Little Christmas” is happening on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the ADSS theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be picked up at Gayle’s Fashions, the Funk Trunk or at the studio at 5119 Athol St. from 3-6 p.m. For more information call 250-724-2580.
Celebrate winter with Elite Dance
Elite Dance Academy will have their holiday show, Winter Celebration, on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at their studio at 5100 Tebo Ave. For more information call 778-421-5559.
Stage West dances, drives
Dance and drive with Stage West this month. From now until Dec. 12, every food donation dancers make to their classes, or drivers make to their One on One Driving School Inc. classes, Stage West will make a cash donation for St. Vincent De Paul. Food collected will be brought to the Bread of Life.
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