Dancers gear up for SAFE@LAST charity competition
DANCERS from across Rotherham are getting ready to show off their moves at a pair of events this weekend.
Today is the day of the annual BIG BOP, which raises money for runaways charity SAFE@LAST, while tomorrow will see All Saints’ Square turned into a giant dancefloor for the first imove competition.
The BIG BOP was dreamed up last year by SAFE@LAST to get people moving and raise much-needed cash for the charity.
Hundreds took part in last year’s event, which encouraged people in businesses and schools across the borough to get to their feet at a pre-arranged time and dance to the hit song Cha Cha Slide.
This year’s event, which involves Winterhill and St Pius schools and workers from council housing firm 2010 Rotherham Ltd, revolves around the same song, with up to 1,000 people expected to take part.
SAFE@LAST runaways education officer Katie Eastburn said: “We’re really looking forward to the BIG Bop.
“What is really special about this event is that the idea for it came from young people in Rotherham who knew about SAFE@LAST and wanted to do something to help the charity and other young people.
“It’s brilliant to think that people will simultaneously be supporting us on Friday afternoon.”
Meanwhile, the would-be stars of the future will be out to be named Rotherham’s top dancer in the imove competition, which is part of “imove on the street, Rotherham", Yorkshire's cultural programme for London 2012.
Starting at 11am, the contest’s live final will involve the best of the entrants who have been entering videos of their finest moves via the "imove on the street" Facebook page over the past few weeks.
Rotherham Borough Council’s Arts in Health Officer, Rhiannon Lister-Coburn, said: “Dance fever has swept the borough.
“Thanks to shows like X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, Rotherham is filled with potential dancing superstars, and what better place to showcase that talent than the town centre.
“I can’t wait to see the wealth of talent we have to astonish the town when all the performers take to the stage.
“I hope we get a massive crowd to cheer them all on and create a fantastic atmosphere.”
The day of dance includes performances by the award-winning Demon Barbers, local dance groups and fun workshops.