TWELVE dance schools from across Yorkshire are taking part in the Dance On! showcase at York Barbican on Sunday.

“We’re now in our second year, and we have schools from York, Wetherby, Ripon, Leeds, Ilkley, Doncaster, Wakefield and elsewhere coming together for the day at the Barbican,” says organiser Cathryn Brown, from Kirby Hill, Boroughbridge.

“They come with a prepared eight-minute routine or two four-minute routines and during the day they have a chance to rehearse on stage and have photos taken.

“When not rehearsing, we have various dance/drama and singing workshops taking place around the Barbican building for them to join in, and some of these workshops prepare a short routine to be used in the finale of the evening show.”

Although not a full competition, the Dance On! Yorkshire event does award trophies for best concept; best choreography; best costume; best hair and make-up; and best performance.

“Apart from the best performance prize, the awards reflect the hard work put in by the teachers and their helpers and parents, rather than the students’ ability,” says Cathryn. “Having said that, each and every student grabs the opportunity to appear on stage in such a large professional venue with both hands.

“They perform to the highest standard to give the audience a fantastic evening of entertainment with a variety of styles, from street to tap to musical theatre.”

The judging panel is made up of five of the workshop teachers and the special guest judge will be Kane Ricca, who returns after making his first appearance last year.

“Kane was a semi-finalist on Sky 1’s Got To Dance as a solo tap artist and is performing in this year’s series with his hip-hop tap troupe, The Pulse Collective,” says Cathryn.

After taking workshops in hip-hop, rhythm and stomp during the Dance On! day on Sunday, then judging the 7pm evening show, Kane will be finishing off the event with a solo performance.

“We have limited space for non-performers to join in the daytime workshops, with some discounted tickets for the evening show also available to these participants,” says Cathryn. Workshops cost £3 each and discounted show tickets are £10.50 or £9.50.

• If anyone wants only to come to Sunday’s show, tickets are available from the Barbican box office at £12.50, concessions £11, on 0844 854 2757 or yorkbarbican.co.uk