Modern dance added to Festival programme

A Modern Dance section has been added to Ballymena Festival of Music, Speech and Dance for the very first time.

Northern Ireland has many festivals each year and most of these include Modern Dance alongside the more traditional disciplines.

Until now Ballymena’s Dance section has consisted solely of Irish Dancing, however, 2014 will see the local Festival also hosting a week of Modern Dance sections including Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop.

A spokesperson said: “An extra week is being added on at the end of the Festival to facilitate the new section. It promises to be a very exciting week, showcasing the talent of young children from Northern Ireland for the many different disciplines of dance.

“The Committee very much hope that the Modern Dance section of the Festival will be a success and hope to see it included for many years to come.”

The Modern Dance Festival runs from Monday, March 10, to Friday, March 14.

The first ever Northern Ireland Festival Championship will then be held on Saturday, March 15, with performers placed first, second or third throughout the week in the prize-winning section of the competition eligible to enter.

Further details are available on the website, www.ballymenafestival.org.uk or [email protected]

The closing date for entries to the all-new dance section is January 17.