Pupils from Carlisle and Eden schools will kick off the ACE dance festival with performances at the Sands Centre in Carlisle tomorrow (Friday 10 March 2006).
The festival, which is sponsored by Cumberland Building Society, brings together pupils from twenty schools throughout Cumbria to celebrate their achievements in dance.
Dance is one of the six activities areas of the PE National Curriculum and is studied at all Key Stages. The performers will range from reception classes to GCSE dance pupils.
ACE Dance Festival events will be taking place at venues across the county between 10 and 29 March.
Tomorrow's show at the Sands Centre begins at 7.30pm and features a wide range of performances, including 'Dance of the Dinosaurs' from Year 2 at Brampton Infant School, 'We Love to Boogie' from Skelton School and, dancing to themes from James Bond movies, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen Grammar Schools.
Tickets are priced £3.50 and available from the box office.
The ACE Dance Festival has been co-ordinated by Barbara Renel (Cumbria Dance), Amanda Mortlock (Dance Resource Ltd), Vanessa Foster (Sport & PE Development Officer, Cumbria Sport) and Lynn Fade (Dance Co-ordinator, Cultural Policy Unit, Cumbria County Council).
Councillor Phillip Chappelhow, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Cumbria County Council, said:
"Physical activity is an important part of the school experience, and plays a vital role in ensuring our young people have a healthy start in life.
"The Festival also gives the pupils an opportunity to perform, which is a great way to build up their confidence and self-esteem, and acknowledge all their hard work."