Once again the Great Canadian Dance Challenge returns to the Capital region offering two scholarships to Hollywood and a deck of smaller prizes.
Organized by Showtime Dance Promotions, a Kelowna-based festival tour that hits 15 locations across Canada, the dance challenge will be in Fort Saskatchewan March 28 to April 1 at the Dow Performing Arts Centre.
Over 600 local dancers are expected to compete in an eclectic mix of ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, hip hop, musical theatre and demi-pointe.
Showtime Dance Promotions has partnered with the Edge Performing Arts Centre, the largest commercial dance centre in the United States for more than 10 years, says business development manager Joseph Gates.
“Any dancer wants to go the next level. At the very top, there’s Broadway in the theatrical industry. Then there’s Los Angeles for television, music videos and commercials. And that’s where we get our judges and adjudicators,” says Gates.
This year’s two adjudicators are California’s Alexia Agdeppa, a Top 11 finalist for So, You Think You Can Dance. She has a solid background performing in commercials and dancing on music videos with artists such as Prince, Nelly Furtado, Macy Gray and the Pussycat Dolls.
Accompanying her is Jessica Hendricks, a choreographer for New York musicals such as The Shaggs, The Book of the Dunn Cow and Dead City. She’s worked on the European tours of Hair, Grease and Jesus Christ Superstar as dance captain and performed for the opening premieres of Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby.
The top 10 soloists and groups will be showcased and from them, two scholarship winners will be chosen to study at the Edge. Scholarship recipients will be permitted to select their own teacher and tailor the classes to personal needs and interests.
“Being connected to the Edge gives dancers invaluable opportunities. One dancer got the nod to perform at the American Music Awards and with Justin Bieber. Another one became a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. Another went on to an acting role in Austin Powers and some open their own studio.”
Showtime Productions has been discovering young dance talent for about 30 years. Artistic director Donna Burridge grew up in Sherwood Park and originally started the Evergreen Festival, a dance festival reserved for the rural community.
After moving to Kelowna, she developed new festivals including Dance Extreme and the Great Canadian Dance Challenge, an event that culminates with cash awards to soloists, duets and groups.
Entry deadline for the Great Canadian Dance Challenge is Tuesday, Jan. 10. For more information visit www.showtimedancepromotions.com or email [email protected].
