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From Monday 18 – Sunday 24 July Portsmouth will be alive with dance events as the Portsmouth Dance Initiative stages the first-ever imPact Dance Festival.

Free dance workshops will be held in community centres throughout the City from 18 to 22 July (see attachment) and the Festival culminates in a week-end of dance performance.

On Saturday 23 July free performances by jAM jAr Dance Company in the Southsea Rose Garden at 11am and 12noon and a Day of Dance in Gunwharf Quays from 1pm to 4.30pm featuring The Victory School of Dance, The Belly Belles, Tanguera Dance Company, The British Bangladesh Cultural Academy and Street Force – from tango to street dance, from belly-dancing to cha cha! There will also be some surprises at Gunwharf incuding Zumba demonstrations. All FREE!

On Sunday 24 July the final event of the Festival is imPact on Stage ! at the New Theatre Royal – when local dance companies and groups come together to present a fantastic evening of dance including contemporary dance, Latin American, street dance and rock’n’roll. The show starts at 7pm and tickets are £5 (£3 concs) from the New Theatre Royal box-office on 023 9264 9000.

And as a follow-up after the Festival – imMix – an Integrated Dance Workshop on Monday 1 August for dancers who want to know more about working with people with disabilities (integrated dance). Currently, there is a little provision for people with a disability to take part in dance. We believe that everyone should have increased access, and each another’s support, there could be more opportunities in our city. This event is free to attend, but places are limited. To book a place email Jane Leech.

The events on 23 and 24 are part of the Open Weekend 2011 – celebrating one year to go to the London 2012 Games. As the world attention turns to the UK we are celebrating dance in Portsmouth. Full programme details on the New Theatre Royal Website.