Reviewed by Rhiannon Brace - Tuesday 14 March 2017 for londondance.com
As we walk through East London’s Excel centre there are groups of young girls in lycra pulling their legs to their head or practicing pirouettes while sizing up the new arrivals joining the queue to the showcase on main stage. They have heavy make-up on and at their feet are their disassembled costumes. The positive energy of the space is contagious, and the shared joy of everything to do with dance is on display…
Further down the building, dancers are competing for the chance to perform on the main stage. New this year Capezio Dance Championships took place each day at MOVE IT offering the winners a cash prize of £500, the chance to be ‘the face of Capezio’ and to perform on the MOVE IT main stage. The winner on Day 1 was the Powerpuff Girls, Day 2’s champion’s were Dance Connection and on the final day the winner was Eleanor Norton-Bailey. Arlene Phillips CBE who was a judge on the final day described Eleanor as breathtaking. Thirteen year old Eleanor Norton-Bailey was also selected to be the face of Capezio which was announced on social media the following day.
Walking around the exhibition space there were plenty of classes and demonstrations as well as the usual stands from dance institutions and universities. As Move It and Move Fit share the space, there is also a host of health products and fitness classes from peanut butter, energy drinks to a fitness trampolining class that looks a lot of fun!
Upstairs there are seminars and more workshops taking place. There are dance classes, business focused seminars and a performing arts workshops where you can have classes in more theatrical subjects such as singing, An American in Paris rep class and a Physical Theatre workshop.
Rhiannon Brace is a is a physical theatre practitioner and choreographer. The class photographs are from her Physical Theatre class at Move It. Twitter:@Rhiannonbrace. www.rhiannonbrace.com
ABOUT MOVE IT
MOVE IT is a chance to celebrate all forms of dance and the performing arts. Watch breath-taking Main Stage performances, take part in dance classes, discover dance career opportunities in the MOVE IT PRO series, brush up on your acting and vocal skills in performing arts workshops and shop for all your dancewear needs.
Over 24,500 dancers – three days – performances, classes, career advice, celebrities, interviews and shopping!
There is something for everyone and a glorious celebration of all things dance and performing arts at MOVE IT.
Walking around the exhibition space there were plenty of classes and demonstrations as well as the usual stands from dance institutions and universities. As Move It and Move Fit share the space, there is also a host of health products and fitness classes from peanut butter, energy drinks to a fitness trampolining class that looks a lot of fun!
Upstairs there are seminars and more workshops taking place. There are dance classes, business focused seminars and a performing arts workshops where you can have classes in more theatrical subjects such as singing, An American in Paris rep class and a Physical Theatre workshop.
Rhiannon Brace is a is a physical theatre practitioner and choreographer. The class photographs are from her Physical Theatre class at Move It. Twitter:@Rhiannonbrace. www.rhiannonbrace.com
ABOUT MOVE IT
MOVE IT is a chance to celebrate all forms of dance and the performing arts. Watch breath-taking Main Stage performances, take part in dance classes, discover dance career opportunities in the MOVE IT PRO series, brush up on your acting and vocal skills in performing arts workshops and shop for all your dancewear needs.
Over 24,500 dancers – three days – performances, classes, career advice, celebrities, interviews and shopping!
There is something for everyone and a glorious celebration of all things dance and performing arts at MOVE IT.