Talented dancers from around the province will hit the boards in Athabasca this weekend.
The tenth annual Athabasca Dance Festival will be held at the Nancy Appleby Theatre on Saturday. Starting bright and early at 9 a.m. and running all day, the event, run by the Athabasca Arts Alliance, will invite over 300 dancers from a variety of genres to show off their skills for an appreciative crowd and a panel of judges.
All varieties of dance will be represented at the festival according to Alliance president Doug Kariel.
ìBecause people see a variety, they get to better understand the genres of dance (and) that theyíre all valuable and worthwhile,î explained Kariel.
Many dancers partake in numerous styles, he noted, like a classical musician who can benefit from a foundation in pop, or vice versa. Similarly, dancers who experience or simply observe another form of dance can find their own style improving as a result.
The adjudicators at the event will be looking for good quality dancing with strong basics, and ìsomething that tells a storyî according to the president.
ìItís an opportunity for the kids to get feedback from a person who has never seen them before.î
The community is invited to come out and enjoy all of the performances throughout the day. Adults get in for four dollars while children four to eleven pay two dollars. Kids three and under get in free.
A popular event, the festival often fills the theatre with dance lovers.
The festival is also still in need of volunteers, especially for the afternoon. Those who volunteer on behalf of a non-profit organization will receive ten dollars an hour towards their cause. For more information, contact Kariel at 780-675-5099 or [email protected].
