Bracknell

A spectacular weekend of dance is coming to Bracknell Forest this week (March 14 and 18) with the Lift Off festival at South Hill Park Arts Centre.

A dazzling array of dance will be on show from tap to street dance, belly dance to flamenco and line dance to jazz to mention just a few and shows are selling out fast.

Children from Bracknell Forest Borough Council's St Michaels CE (Easthampstead) Primary, Birch Hill and New Scotland Hill primary schools will be among some 500 dancers set to perform during the two-day festival.

Local youth and community groups will also be taking part including Bracknell Youth Forum, Bracknell Tap, Bracknell Flamenco, Lafour Theatre School and Red Hot Peppers.

Renegade Theatre from Germany will perform Rumble, a fast-moving energetic dance based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on Friday which is schools gala night.

StopGAP Dance Company will headline on Saturday''s youth and community gala night with a vibrant triple-bill.

And Rotations, a group of dancers with learning disabilities, will also perform a brand new work put together under the expert guidance of dancer Lena Dee.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure and Corporate Services at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: "This year's Lift Off festival is set to be one of our best ever.

"We had a great response from local groups wanting to get involved and they have all played a part in creating what's sure to be a vibrant and energetic festival.

"There are so many talented people perfoming a diverse range of dance that there is sure to be something for everyone."

For more information about the Lift Off dance festival call Lynne Dick on tel: 01344 351753 or contact South Hill Park Arts Centre on tel: 01344 484858.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council