Archived press release

Date Published: 28/04/08

Dance classes are available for young people

Aylesbury Vale District Council is inviting local people to get fit for the summer by joining one of the dance classes on offer in Aylesbury.

There are classes available for people of all ages and abilities at venues across the town during term time. The weekly sessions are led by experienced dance artists and organised by the district council.

“We’re trying to engage more people in an activity that will improve their health and wellbeing, bring them into contact with new friends and give them a creative hobby for life,” said Councillor David Thompson, AVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure. “The increasingly popular dance classes are suitable for everyone, so it doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner.”

Professional dancer and choreographer, Helen Parlor, is running adult dance classes for the over 19’s at Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Oxford Road, on Monday evenings from 7.45pm to 9.15pm.

Helen is teaching a fusion of street and contemporary dance styles; and as dance is a great way to tone muscles and improve fitness, participants could find they shed a few pounds along the way too.

The dance classes cost £5 per session or just £2.50 for Passport to Leisure card holders. There is no need to formally enrol on the sessions, just drop-in.

Street dance classes are being held at Quarrendon Upper School and Walton Court Community Centre to give young people the chance to learn the latest street dance moves and keep fit at the same time in a friendly environment.

The classes are open to all young people between the ages of six and 18 and are being taken by professional dancer Gwen Whittaker. Youngsters of all abilities will be able to join in from complete beginners to more accomplished dancers.

The sessions will include getting to grips with street dance techniques, learning routines and having a go at ‘dance-offs’ by blending hip hop and breakdance moves into this popular dance style.

The classes at Quarrendon Upper School take place every Monday (term time only) between 5pm and 6pm for young people aged 12 to 18 years old and between 6pm and 7pm for the performance group. You must attend one of the general classes in order to join the performance group.

Youngsters between the ages of six and 11 can attend a street dance class at Walton Court Community Centre between 4pm and 5pm every Wednesday during the school term. There is also a class for young people aged 12 to 18 years old at the venue between 5pm and 6pm on the same day.

The general classes cost £2 per person, per session, or £1 if you have a Passport to Leisure Card. The performance group classes cost £1 but you can get a 50p discount with Passport to Leisure.

For more information about dance in your area, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/arts or call 01296 585310.