We’re dancing in the street

6:20pm Friday 10th October 2008

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FLEET-FOOTED York youngsters are being given the chance to learn the attitude of street dance in a new city-centre studio.

The Limelight Dance and Drama Studio has been launched in Gillygate by 23-year-olds Emma Cliff and Laura Rust.

The dance teachers wanted to bring a contemporary studio to the heart of the city to give local youngsters something to do at night.

The evening classes were launched last week, and the pair hope to generate more interest from local schools.

“We both know that there is not much in the way of dancing for both boys and girls in York,” said Emma.

“We decided to bring a dance and drama studio into the city, and the first street-dancing classes were launched last week.

“We have had some interest so far, I think because of the buzz around the dancing talents of Britain’s Got Talent’s winner George Sampson, but we want to link up with local schools as well to give children across the city a chance to come to the dance sessions.

“We hope it will give local children to chance to do something enjoyable, interesting and at the same time keeping them active. There is not much for children to do at night.”

The classes are open to all ages and the professional dance teachers will teach street-dance among a number of other classes. Emma, of Escrick, said she the studio hoped to branch out into other areas of the arts, such as hip hop, break dance, pop, commercial and R&B for the youngsters, wedding dances for adults and drama workshops for all ages.

The street dance classes are held every Wednesday night. Kids’ lessons run from 4.30pm until 5.15pm, teenagers from 5.30pm until 6.30pm and adults from 8pm until 9pm. The first class will be free.

If you are interested in joining, phone Emma Cliff on 07832 293232 or email lime.light@live.com.

Meanwhile, a drama studio has opened in Heslington.

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy opened a new branch in Heslington last week, offering local children the chance to use drama to gain in self-esteem and confidence and become more articulate.

Currently, more than 13,000 children aged between five and 11 receive lessons at the 47 UK branches of the academy, including Bishopthorpe, Earswick, Poppleton, Wetherby and Tadcaster, and Lindsay Goakes, principal of the academy in York said it was due to popular demand that a further branch was opening in York The classes, which cover speech, movement, creative drama, language development and studio productions, will be held at Badger Hill School, and will take place every Tuesday between 4.30 and 5.30pm.