We are delighted that three local dance groups were chosen to represent the North East at this year’s U.Dance festival. The three groups performing were; Youth Dance Academy, Dance Jam & Vizavis. U.Dance is the national programme that aims to give every child and young person in England the opportunity to take part in a dance performance each year.

Youth Dance Academy are based in Middlesbrough, the group work on contemporary dance pieces and technique class. Youth Dance Academy is a community interest company that strive to offer unique, quality and affordable dance training to young people of Middlesbrough.

Dance Jam are a street dance crew based in Sunderland. They train several times a week in a number of different styles including; popping, locking, hip hop and breaking.

Currently in it’s second year U.Dance New Dimensions is a new strand to the festival. New Dimensions encourages a more experimental approach to creating dance. Groups were chosen from their pre-conceived ideas about youth dance and present high quality dance work. Newcastle based Vizavis were chosen nationally to perform at the festival.

Vizavis were founded in 2004 as part of a gifted and talented initiative at Dame Allan’s School, Newcastle. The group meet every Friday evening and at weekends prior to a performance or school show.

The National Youth Dance Company also made a guest appearance at U.Dance 2014, which currently features 4 Dance City students. They will also be performing their double bill of work at Dance City on Sat 5 July, 7pm.