Gibside School perform "Dragons and Drums" at Gateshead Schools 2010 Dance Festival held at The Sage.
Hundreds of Gateshead children showed off their dance skills today at the one of the UK’s most prestigious music venues as part of a major festival.
More than 2,000 youngsters from 70 of the borough’s schools performed in front of a packed auditorium at The Sage Gateshead as part of The Gateshead Schools Dance Festival 2010.
In the diverse festival, organised by the Gateshead / Whickham School Sport Partnership and Gateshead Council, displays of salsa, samba, hula, tap and Irish dancing were enjoyed alongside rock ‘n’ roll, jive, hip hop, the traditional Charleston, the can-can and folk and country dancing.
The theme for the event was Carnivals and Festivals from around the World, and performances had their roots in areas as diverse as America, Africa, India, Hungary, France and Spain, with many young dancers dressing for the part.
Held annually, the Dance Festival is one way that Gateshead Council is helping to boost activity levels in young people across the borough.
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council said: “In 2010 Gateshead Council is urging all our residents to get active and healthy and we are providing as many opportunities as possible for them to do that – including this festival.
“Dance is a very physical activity, and this spectacular annual event gives our children and young people the opportunity to use their imagination by choreographing their own routines, improve their health by keeping their heart rates up, boost their confidence and performance skills, and most of all have fun.
“Everyone did a fantastic job today putting on a really enjoyable show. We hope they enjoyed performing on such a famous stage.”