Dance students at Chemainus Secondary School are set to share their skills during two big nights this week.
The Chemainus Secondary School dance class is hosting its annual Dance Showcase Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11 at the school.
Chemainus Secondary School dance teacher Ashley Bell says there is no theme to this year’s Dance Showcase, and the performances will feature a wide variety of styles of dance, including hip hop, Bollywood, African, dancehall, musical theatre, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, country and tap.
Fifty students from grades 9-12 will be performing.
“The students have been learning new choreography for the various dance styles every 10-15 days,” Bell said in an e-mail interview. “Some students are in both [dance] classes and have anywhere between eight and 10 dances to remember. The opening number is a mash-up of the students’ choreography. They have all been working collaboratively to put it together. It is wonderful to see how creative they can be.”
Bell says that as a teacher, she most looks forward to the excitement and the energy on the day of the showcase.
“Some students surprise me and totally steal the show,” she said. “I look forward to those moments.”
Bell says that if people like television shows like So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing With The Stars, they must come to the Chemainus Secondary School Dance Showcase.
“How often do you have the opportunity to see a live dance show on the Island?” she asked. “The students need a lively audience, and the experience for them is unforgettable. Come out and support the dance students at Chemainus Secondary. We promise, we will have you rocking in your seat!”
The Dance Showcase starts at 7 p.m. both nights, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at the Chemainus Secondary School front office, as well as the door, and are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and $20 for a family of four (two adults and two students/seniors).
All audience members will have a chance to win a door prize each night, and there will be a raffle and a bake sale.
