Twenty dancers from local studios are thrilled at the prospect of shouldering the nation’s hopes at the world tap dance championships next month.
The junior and senior teams – comprised of Surrey, Langley and Aldergrove dancers – are competing at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany Dec. 1-5.
The International Dance Organization (IDO), is a world federation that includes more than 90 nations, representing 250,000 dancers on six continents.
Under the direction of their Team Canada choreographer, Lisa Dew of Lisa’s School of Dance, the dancers are hard at work, rehearsing and training through blisters, shin splints and tears in preparation for the event.
They face another challenge as well: Each dancer is required to raise $3,600 to cover costs of costumes and other trip expenses, including food, says Judy Goldsmith, Team Canada Tap representative. They will be around town fundraising, and looking for sponsorships.
Team Canada Tap presents a showcase performance Friday, Nov. 20 at the Abby Arts Centre in Abbotsford (6-9 p.m.).
Tickets are $25 and available at The Dance Box in Langley, Limbers Dancewear in Surrey, and at JazzMaTazz in Abbotsford.
The showcase will feature the Team Canada dancers, along with other performance groups from across the province.
A silent auction is also planned, along with flower sales, concession and other activities to support the dancers.
– For more, visit teamcanadadance.com or find them on Facebook