From January 2016

SK Dance Studio to star in Opera House Theatre show, Blackpool Winter Gardens

Blackpool Winter Gardens

Susan and the team at SK Dance Studio are thrilled to announce some very exciting news for our dancers…  We’ve been invited by the producers of “Hits of the Musicals” to perform in their 25th anniversary show at the beautiful Opera House Theatre, Blackpool Winter Gardens, host to recent West End shows such as Cats, Mamma Mia, “Joseph” and “Priscilla”.

“I’m really honoured that the producers have invited us to perform again this year, especially given it will be an extra-special programme to celebrate this long running show’s 25th anniversary” said Susan.

“We’ll have to go some to top the dazzling 42nd Street routine that our talented tappers delivered the last time we danced at the Opera House” Susan continued; “Our dancers were so good that we were asked to close the show – they really brought the house down!”.

But as you’d expect from Susan, Cara and the talented SK Dancers, they’re already working on something really special for this year’s performance – a fast and furious Riverdance inspired Irish-style tap that will get the whole audience tapping along.

“Dancing on a huge professional stage like the Opera House Theatre is such a thrill for our young dancers” said Susan.  “Over the years, we’ve performed at some amazing venues including Sadler’s Wells in London and even at Disneyland Paris.  Our dancers always look back on their big stage experiences with such fond memories and I’m so pleased that SK Dance Studio is part of making them”.

All dancers from and including our pre-primary class (10.30am Saturday class) and upwards will be involved.  You’ll find information on costumes, timings below.  Don’t forget, we also have a full dress rehearsal on Sunday 24th April at Shevington Community Centre at 2:00pm to 3.30pm. Click here for details.

Diary Date: Saturday April 30th 2016 – 7pm Performance Time
SK Dance Studio to perform at Opera House Theatre, Blackpool

Format of the day

We’re pleased to confirm we’ve now been given our on-stage rehearsal time-slot for the Blackpool show on Saturday 30th April.  It will be at 6pm. This means we don’t need to leave for Blackpool until 4pm, which gives us time for an extra rehearsal at dancing before we go.  See below for details.

Because of this late rehearsal slot, we won’t get any free time like previous years between the rehearsal and the 7pm show, so children won’t be released to meet parents for dinner. Instead, they will stay backstage with chaperones and eat a pre-packed tea which you’ll need to send with your child.

Transport to and from Blackpool:

  • As in previous years, all those taking part will be required to travel to and from Blackpool on our dancer’s coach.
  • This ensures we’re able to keep everyone safely together as one group, and makes it easier to manage our rehearsal.
  • Every child will have a named chaperone so you know exactly who’s caring for them, but we appreciate that parents who are not chaperones may still wish to travel on the coach with their child. There will be some spare capacity – see below.
  • On arrival at the theatre, children must be left with their named chaperone to go backstage. This is to comply with Health and Safety regulations.
  • Your child will be chaperoned at all times during the whole day.

Format of the day on Saturday 30th April:

  • Extra rehearsal at Shevington Community Centre for all dancers taking part – 11:00am to 1:00pm.
  • This is instead of your usual Saturday dancing class.
  • Coach leaves at 4:00pm from Appley Bridge Village Hall, Appley Lane North
  • Additional coach places are available: Please book your coach places with Susan by Sunday 24th April (we will book 2 coaches if demand for coach travel requires)
  • On arrival at Blackpool dancers will go straight to their dressing room with their chaperone to get ready for the on-stage dress rehearsal at 6pm.
  • Dancers will return to their dressing room after the rehearsal with chaperones and eat a packed tea.
  • Show starts at 7:00pm and will run until approximatley 10:00pm.
  • Chaperones will escort dancers from the theatre to the coach.
  • Parents travelling on the coach with us should meet their children ONLY once safely back on the coach only.  This ensures we can keep all dancers together and account for everyone’s whereabouts.
  • Coach will return to Village Hall at approx 11:30pm where parents should collect their children – we will confirm the exact time on the day.
  • Chaperone list will be available at dancing – see noticeboard. Please note that chaperones won’t be able to watch the performance – they’ll be in charge back-stage!

Tickets

  • Tickets are sold by the theatre (not by SK Dance Studio).
  • Tickets are £10 each, or £7.50 for concessions.
  • You can buy online now at Ticketmaster (search “Hits Lancashire 25” at Blackpool Opera House). There is a booking fee.
  • Tickets are also available at the theatre box office. It’s a MASSIVE theatre and there’s never been a problem getting tickets on the day in previous years, but it’s your call whether you risk this :-).

What to bring (and not bring!)

  • Please click here to see a full costume, accessories and hair checklist. You’ll also find a picture on this page to show you the hairstyle that is required.
  • Plain elastic hair bobble, green ribbon (Susan to supply) & bobby pins
  • Hairspray
  • Snack & non fizzy drink (water ideally)
  • Packed tea & non fizzy drink (water ideally)
  • Don’t bring any valuable items at all – no jewellery (which cannot be worn for the performance anyway), no phones, no iPads, no iPods etc

We appreciate this is a lot of information to digest, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions at all.

Thanks for your continued support.  We hope you’re all looking forward to this exciting dance opportunity as much as we are.

Susan

 

Flood damage update: SK Dance Studio to use a temporary alternative venue

As you’ll no doubt have heard on the news, many parts of Lancashire were affected by terrible flooding as 2015 drew to a close. It’s been a really difficult time for many communities across the UK, including our very own community of Appley Bridge, as properties became overwhelmed by flood water.

The SK Dance team were devastated when on Boxing Day, our dance studio in the hall at The Vale Methodist Church in Appley Bridge was flooded, along with the meeting space in the adjoining room.

Once the water receded, Susan and friends of the church tried their hardest to make the space usable for the first dance classes of 2016, but for the immediate future at least, it’s now clear that we’ll need to move to an alternative venue whilst building works are carried out to refurbish the hall.

At this point, it’s not known exactly how long it will take before we’re able to return to The Vale, though the estimate is currently thought to be in months rather than weeks.

SK Dance Studio classes will continue at an alternative venue
Please see below for temporary venue arrangements

In the meantime, we’ve arranged alternative temporary local venues for all our classes. You can find details below and also on our Facebook and Google Plus pages.

We know the next few months will be a bit awkward and we truly are very sorry for the inconvenience our dancers and parents will face. But we hope you’ll agree that SK Dance isn’t about the bricks and mortar of our hall, it’s about our wonderful, talented dancers and the high quality of tuition delivered by our dedicated teachers. Regardless of the temporary venue we use, that will never change!

We really hope you’ll stick with us whilst the building works take place. We have a wonderful year of dance to look forward to, with ISTD exams, a big show production at Blackpool Winter Gardens and our own full dance school show in the summer.

We’re determined that this awful flooding won’t beat us and would like to thank everyone for their patience and messages of support whilst we await our return to The Vale.

Update 26/05/16: With effect from today, all classes except those on Thursdays have returned to The Vale! Thursday classes will remain at Shevington Youth Club.

Saturday Classes – Now at Shevington Youth Club

All Saturday classes will be held at Shevington Youth Club & Community Centre starting Saturday 6th February 2016 until further notice. Address: Highfield Avenue, Shevington, WN6 8HB. It’s just behind Shevington Methodist Church, down the side of Muffin Man bakery.

Timings:
With effect from Saturday 12th March 2016, we’re pleased to confirm that ALL Saturday classes will return to their usual time-slots (that’s the standard class schedule we followed when we were at The Vale).  Click here to view our standard timetable.

Monday Adult Ballet Classes – Now at Shevington Youth Club

Our adult ballet class on Mondays will now be held at Shevington Youth Club & Community Centre starting Monday 1st February 2016 until further notice. Address: Highfield Avenue, Shevington, WN6 8HB. It’s just behind Shevington Methodist Church, down the side of Muffin Man bakery.

Timings:
In line with our usual timetable, adult ballet will run every Monday at 9pm to 10pm.

Tuesday Ballet & Student Classes – Now at Shevington Youth Club

Tuesday ballet classes will now be held at Shevington Youth Club & Community Centre starting Tuesday 2nd February 2016 until further notice. All Cara’s Tuesday classes for older students will also run from this location. Address: Highfield Avenue, Shevington, WN6 8HB. It’s just behind Shevington Methodist Church, down the side of Muffin Man bakery.

Timings:
All Tuesday ballet and student classes will follow our usual schedule.

Tuesday Adult Tap Classes – Now at Shevington Youth Club

Our Adult Tap classes on Tuesdays will now be held at Shevington Youth Club starting Tuesday 12th January 2016 until further notice. Address: Highfield Avenue, Shevington, WN6 8HB. It’s just behind Shevington Methodist Church, down the side of Muffin Man bakery.

Timings:
Beginners & Improvers – 8.45pm to 9.30pm
Advanced Tappers – 9.30pm to 10.15pm

Thursday Classes – Now at Shevington Youth Club

All Thursday classes will be held at Shevington Youth Club & Community Centre, starting Thursday 7th Jan 2016 until further notice. Address: Highfield Avenue, Shevington, WN6 8HB. It’s just behind Shevington Methodist Church, down the side of Muffin Man bakery.

Timings:
Grade 2 Ballet – 4.15pm to 5pm
Acro – 5pm to 5.45pm
Street Dance – 5.45pm to 6.15pm

Friday Ballet Babies Classes – Now at All Saints Church, Appley Bridge

Our Friday ‘Mummy & Me’ and ‘Advanced’ Ballet Babies classes will be held at All Saints Church, in Appley Bridge starting Friday 15th January 2106. Address: Finch Lane (off Appley Lane North), Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DT. It’s right next to All Saints Primary School.

Timings:
Mummy & Me – 10.30am
Advanced Ballet Babies – 11am