Spirits were running high in Barnsley city centre as Dancing Town, a 10-day dance festival, took place for the first time this summer in the Nelson Mandela Gardens.
From Friday 10 to Sunday 19 August, the free event gave locals the opportunity to let loose and take part in daily dance workshops taught by very special guests including Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Flawless, former Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt as well as broadway dancer and choreographer, Steve Elias.
Steve Elias mentioned that this new festival was dear to his heart as it was the first legacy event born from the 2017 BBC Two Documentary ‘Our Dancing Town’ for which he was the presenter.
“‘Our Dancing Town’ was a warm heartfelt portrayal of community life in Barnsley and it put the community in the centre. “This is what this festival is doing too. It’s about them and for them. “Hopefully, it shows that anyone can get involved in dance.”
Steve Elias
A number of performances involving several bands and local dance schools were also organised as part of the festival by Barnsley Council.
Lord Mayor, Steve Green, was pleased with Dancing Town’s turnout and the overwhelming enthusiasm coming from dancers of all ages and abilities participating in the event.
“It’s been a really good event. It started off small but hopefully, it will go on year on year.” It gets people from all the parts of Yorkshire coming into Barnsley and seeing what a fantastic town we have.”
Steve Green
