Primary School Dance Festival is back!

4th May 2023

Our 2023 Primary School Dance Festival is taking place on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th May at Belvoir Players Theatre, Castlereagh.

One of our flagship – and noisiest! – events of the year, this two day celebration of dance is a fun, exciting and non competitive event where children from P1 – P6 can share the dance work taking place in their schools.

Feedback from the children who took part in last year’s event was great. Their teachers said:

“(They) loved being on a stage for the first time.  Lots said it was the “best day ever”.”

“They absolutely loved every minute of it. Developing not only the dance skills but their confidence and self esteem.”

“Fabulous event. Thank you so much for having us and we can’t wait until next year!!”

“Many of the boys comments that dancing is actually really fun.”

Joining the festival this year on our Key Stage 1 day are 121 children from Penrhyn Prep, Belmont, Glenwood and Finaghy Primary Schools.  We are expecting to see a range of dance and movement with eco warriors, creatures from under the sea and music from Encanto for starters.

On our Key Stage 2 day, 50 children from Glenwood, Finaghy and Holy Rosary Primary Schools will join us.  We can’t wait to see their dances with a range of themes from Ancient Egypt to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory!

In the run up to the festival, workshops have been happening with Sheena Kelly, our Community Engagement Artist, at the schools to support them in creating their piece for this year’s festival.

During the event there will be a special guest performance by dancer/choreographers Sean O’Neill and Emily McDonagh.  Their piece ‘Solas’ was created specially for the festival and is about friends exploring together using light to guide the way.

The schools – and the DU Dance (NI) team – are very excited to be back in Belvoir Theatre.

Thank you to funders Community Foundation NI and Halifax Foundation.