Welcome to Weymouth Dance Festival 2020
The festival will be held from 24-29 October inclusive
The festival will be held from 24-29 October inclusive
29 October update - the end of a fantastic Festival!
After a wonderful six days we have drawn to a close!
A big thank you to the large number of volunteers who enabled us to run in a safe manner this year. We couldn't have done it without you. It has been lovely getting to know all the volunteers representing lots of different schools and we hope you will return in future years.
Don't forget teachers, to let us know where you would like your reports to be posted.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Medisave UK who applied a substantial discount to help the Festival supply cleaning and disinfecting materials to provide a safe environment for all attendees.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
A big thank you to the large number of volunteers who enabled us to run in a safe manner this year. We couldn't have done it without you. It has been lovely getting to know all the volunteers representing lots of different schools and we hope you will return in future years.
Don't forget teachers, to let us know where you would like your reports to be posted.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Medisave UK who applied a substantial discount to help the Festival supply cleaning and disinfecting materials to provide a safe environment for all attendees.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
25 October update - an extra two spectators allowed for certain classes
Following on from our day yesterday we have completed a dynamic risk assessment and we are pleased to say that we can invite an extra two spectators per person for classes where there are seven entrants or fewer. This can include teachers. This will apply from Lunchtime today onwards.
The classes this affects for this afternoon are:
Class 5a Ballet 13 years
Class 8 National 7& 8 years
Class 41a Contemporary 13 years
Class 30a Tap 15 years
Class 6c Ballet 17 - 18 years
Class 18c Modern 17 - 18 years
Class 12a National 15 years
Class 48a Character 15 years
The classes this affects for tomorrow (Monday) are:
Class 27a Tap 9 years
Class 11b National 14 years
Class 3a Ballet 9 years
Class 29b Tap 14 years
Class 45a Character 9 years
Class 15LYa Lyrical 9 years
Class 47b Character 14 years
Class 9a National 9 years
Class 12c National 17-18 years
Class 30c Tap 17 - 18 years
For Tuesday this affects:
Class 30b Tap 16 years
Class 15LYb Lyrical 10 years
Class 12b National 16 years
Class 6b Ballet 16 years
Class 9b National 10 years
Class 42b Contemporary 16 years
Class 48c Character 17 - 18 years
For Wednesday this affects:
Class 25 Tap 6 years & under
Class 7 National 6 years & under
Class 41b Contemporary 14 years
Class 28a Tap 11 years
Class 5b Ballet 14 years
Class 16LYa Lyrical 11 years
Class 27b Tap 10 years
Class 42c Contemporary 17 - 18 years
On Thursday this affects:
Class 49 Greek 10 years & under
Class 50 Greek 11 years & over
Class N2 Novice Ballet 7 years & under 10
Class N16 Novice Tap 13 years & over
Class N3 Novice Ballet 10 years & under 13
Class N14 Novice Tap 7 years & under 10
Class N10 Novice Modern 13 years & over
Class N15 Novice Tap 10 years & under 13
Class N8 Novice Modern 7 years & under 10
Class N4 Novice Ballet 13 years & over
The classes this affects for this afternoon are:
Class 5a Ballet 13 years
Class 8 National 7& 8 years
Class 41a Contemporary 13 years
Class 30a Tap 15 years
Class 6c Ballet 17 - 18 years
Class 18c Modern 17 - 18 years
Class 12a National 15 years
Class 48a Character 15 years
The classes this affects for tomorrow (Monday) are:
Class 27a Tap 9 years
Class 11b National 14 years
Class 3a Ballet 9 years
Class 29b Tap 14 years
Class 45a Character 9 years
Class 15LYa Lyrical 9 years
Class 47b Character 14 years
Class 9a National 9 years
Class 12c National 17-18 years
Class 30c Tap 17 - 18 years
For Tuesday this affects:
Class 30b Tap 16 years
Class 15LYb Lyrical 10 years
Class 12b National 16 years
Class 6b Ballet 16 years
Class 9b National 10 years
Class 42b Contemporary 16 years
Class 48c Character 17 - 18 years
For Wednesday this affects:
Class 25 Tap 6 years & under
Class 7 National 6 years & under
Class 41b Contemporary 14 years
Class 28a Tap 11 years
Class 5b Ballet 14 years
Class 16LYa Lyrical 11 years
Class 27b Tap 10 years
Class 42c Contemporary 17 - 18 years
On Thursday this affects:
Class 49 Greek 10 years & under
Class 50 Greek 11 years & over
Class N2 Novice Ballet 7 years & under 10
Class N16 Novice Tap 13 years & over
Class N3 Novice Ballet 10 years & under 13
Class N14 Novice Tap 7 years & under 10
Class N10 Novice Modern 13 years & over
Class N15 Novice Tap 10 years & under 13
Class N8 Novice Modern 7 years & under 10
Class N4 Novice Ballet 13 years & over
22 October update - revised running order
Due to people needing to isolate and withdrawals we will be trying to condense the timetable for the festival a little. Please see the updated running order.
19 October update
Please can we ask all competitors and spectators to bring suitable outdoor clothing with them (coats, umbrellas etc). If it is bad weather we won't be able to provide shelter from the weather while you wait in order to remain covid safe.
Please can competitors also bring a warm cover up to wear after they have danced in their section. Competitors will wait in the auditorium after they have danced and the door to the outside will be open regularly regardless of outside temperature to ensure good ventilation is maintained.
Please can competitors also bring a warm cover up to wear after they have danced in their section. Competitors will wait in the auditorium after they have danced and the door to the outside will be open regularly regardless of outside temperature to ensure good ventilation is maintained.
- Please remember to bring back up CDs for all dances.
- Please bring titles for National and Character.
- Please remember the clocks go back Saturday night.
- Class 15b Modern 10 years. Please note, due to withdrawals this will be run as one class
8 October update - programmes
Programmes have been posted to those who pre-ordered them so hopefully they will be received in coming days depending on what postage you put on your envelope.
If you didn't order a programme, programmes will be available on the day to buy for 50p per day.
Please remember to read the guidelines. This is really important this year in order to stay covid safe. If you have any questions regarding this please email us.
If you didn't order a programme, programmes will be available on the day to buy for 50p per day.
Please remember to read the guidelines. This is really important this year in order to stay covid safe. If you have any questions regarding this please email us.
5 October update - music and track and trace deadlines approaching fast!
- Deadline for music submission is SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER.
- Deadline for submitting track and trace details is also SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER.
2 October update - order your tickets for this year's Festival
Tickets are £1 per class this year capped at a maximum of £5 per spectator. This is a per person cap and does not apply, for example, to 2 people watch 3 classes each as each individual person is not watching more than 5 classes.
You need to order tickets in advance of the Festival in line with the guidelines. Please print out this form, fill it in and then send it with a cheque or postal order (made payable to Weymouth Dance Festival) to Mrs J Jeffries, 115 Clearmount Road, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 9LF.
Please email us with any questions.
You need to order tickets in advance of the Festival in line with the guidelines. Please print out this form, fill it in and then send it with a cheque or postal order (made payable to Weymouth Dance Festival) to Mrs J Jeffries, 115 Clearmount Road, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 9LF.
Please email us with any questions.
| weymouth_dance_festival_2020_ticket_booking_form.pdf |
2 October update - props
Props are allowed this year but ideally they will be small. All props must be carried backstage by the children.
Please email us if:
Your child has a large prop, so we can plan accordingly.
Your child is too small/young to carry their own props.
Please email us if:
Your child has a large prop, so we can plan accordingly.
Your child is too small/young to carry their own props.
25 September update - read our COVID guidelines
This year's Festival will be very different to previous years, and the main priority is to keep everyone safe. We ask that you read and comply with our COVID guidelines for the Festival.
If you think you are going to face a problem complying with the rules, please do contact us and we will see what we can do to help. We are approachable and despite all the rules we would like to make it as easy as possible for all involved. Please email us with any questions or problems.
If you think you are going to face a problem complying with the rules, please do contact us and we will see what we can do to help. We are approachable and despite all the rules we would like to make it as easy as possible for all involved. Please email us with any questions or problems.
24 September update - volunteers... action required!
Thank you for volunteering to help make Weymouth Dance Festival a Covid secure event for 2020. If you have a First Aid certificate, a Chaperone licence or a DBS certificate including ‘child barring’ please let us know in advance, and bring them with you, as it will help us in allocating roles.
These are not required for every role.
Roles will be allocated closer to the time, when the full list of volunteers is complete.
Details of how long prior to each session each role is needed are below. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR COVID SAFETY.
Volunteers roles will include supervising social distancing in the building and outside queues, cleaning of surfaces in the space they are working, as well as keeping track of the schedule to assist with the flow of dancers and spectators through the building in time for each section.
Volunteers will need to be ready before the dancers or spectators arrive for each session.
Queue management, dressing room monitors and registration assistants will need to arrive about an hour before the session starts, to have time to familiarise with procedures before dancers and spectators arrive. The majority of volunteers will be needed for these roles so please let us know in advance if you will be unable to be ready at this time.
Those helping in backstage roles will need to be ready 20 mins before the session starts, and those helping in the auditorium 10-15 minutes before. Numbers backstage and in the auditorium will be limited in order to maintain social distancing.
A committee member will meet you in the foyer when you arrive, to check your certificates, provide a volunteer’s badge and answer your questions. Those helping in dressing rooms and backstage will be given a folder for their area, with the names of dancers they will be supervising, times of dances, and further details of their role.
Please wear a mask if you can at all times in the building as per current government guidance.
Please email us to let us know if there are any roles you are unable to undertake, and if you have a first aid certificate, chaperone licence or a child barring DBS.
Thank you
These are not required for every role.
Roles will be allocated closer to the time, when the full list of volunteers is complete.
Details of how long prior to each session each role is needed are below. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR COVID SAFETY.
Volunteers roles will include supervising social distancing in the building and outside queues, cleaning of surfaces in the space they are working, as well as keeping track of the schedule to assist with the flow of dancers and spectators through the building in time for each section.
Volunteers will need to be ready before the dancers or spectators arrive for each session.
Queue management, dressing room monitors and registration assistants will need to arrive about an hour before the session starts, to have time to familiarise with procedures before dancers and spectators arrive. The majority of volunteers will be needed for these roles so please let us know in advance if you will be unable to be ready at this time.
Those helping in backstage roles will need to be ready 20 mins before the session starts, and those helping in the auditorium 10-15 minutes before. Numbers backstage and in the auditorium will be limited in order to maintain social distancing.
A committee member will meet you in the foyer when you arrive, to check your certificates, provide a volunteer’s badge and answer your questions. Those helping in dressing rooms and backstage will be given a folder for their area, with the names of dancers they will be supervising, times of dances, and further details of their role.
Please wear a mask if you can at all times in the building as per current government guidance.
Please email us to let us know if there are any roles you are unable to undertake, and if you have a first aid certificate, chaperone licence or a child barring DBS.
Thank you
20 September update
We are monitoring the situation regarding any announcements from the Government and will keep everyone informed. We have confidence in our robust risk assessment and planning which Weymouth College has also accepted, but any changes will be based on the latest Government evidence and guidance.
9 September update - Weymouth Dance Festival is not a social gathering this year
Following today's announcement to update the rules issued we would just like to clarify a few matters:
We hope you understand that this is the only way we can run this year. We will be checking government guidelines issued closely, and if the government issue something which prevents us from running we will comply with that. Please keep checking this page for the new guidelines.
- The rules from government have not changed at the moment with regards to dance festivals.
- We must stress that the dance festival is not a social gathering.
- We will be issuing updated guidelines following our risk assessment about how this year’s Festival will work.
- It will look very different to previous years.
- Elements such as the cafe have been removed, and unfortunately so has any social element of the festival there may have been previously. The guidelines which will be issued will reflect this.
We hope you understand that this is the only way we can run this year. We will be checking government guidelines issued closely, and if the government issue something which prevents us from running we will comply with that. Please keep checking this page for the new guidelines.
9 September update - track and trace... what you need to do now
- This year we will be operating a track and trace process for all attending.
- We will only allow two people per entrant to sit in the auditorium so we can maintain social distancing.
We will need names of those attending in advance and contact details for one member of the party. Please email us now details of who will be attending for each dance.
We must stress that we will be unable to admit anyone who we have not been notified as attending prior to the event. If you have any difficulties with the restriction of two (which does include children) please can you let us know and we will see if we can work with you to sort this out
Update 6 September - audience limits
To keep all participants, volunteers and spectators safe this year we need to limit the audience:
Update 6 September - changing rooms
We have completed a full risk assessment for this year's Festival and there will be a few key changes to the way the Festival is run this year.
This year participants will be assigned a changing room according to their age (not their dance school) in order to keep mixing to a minimum. For example, all 9 years olds will use the same set of rooms, and 14 year olds will use a different set of rooms.
Update 5 September - dance teachers
This year dance teachers will be unable to enter the backstage area or the changing areas as we cannot have the extra people in the building and still keep everyone safe. If dance teachers would like to be involved in this year's Festival we would ask them to volunteer, where they will be posted to help in a certain area of the festival. This will include helping all participants, not just children from their own school. If you have any questions about this please email us.
Update 5 September - submit your music as MP3s now
This year we are doing the music for competitors differently to previous years to reduce handling and passing of CDs between volunteers and competitors.
Please submit your music electronically in MP3 format to swaofdance@gmail.com. Please state your child's name on the email and the class the music is for. This should include the part of the class your child has entered, for example, if you entered Class 3 Ballet 9 & 10 years and your child is 9 on 1st September 2020, you would write Class 3a Ballet 9 years. Please note, all ages have been split with the exception of 6 years & under, and 7 & 8 years who remain still as one class. Please check the running order to confirm the letter associated with your child's class. If you have any trouble identifying your child's class, please email us.
IMPORTANT - Back up CDs should still be brought with the competitor on the day of dancing.
Update 1 September - the Festival will run (barring any further Government restrictions)!
Following the committee meeting last week to discuss volunteer numbers, and consultation with Weymouth College, we are able to confirm that we intend to run the Festival this year. This is always subject to government restrictions and local lockdowns but, that aside, we are able to go ahead. We would like to thank all those who have volunteered to enable us to go ahead this year, it really is very much appreciated.
The Festival will look quite different this year. We have done an extensive risk assessment to ensure everyone's safety and so the way it works this year will have changed in some cases. We will be sending updates out regarding this here and on Facebook over the course of the next few days and weeks.
Music
We would now like to invite all entrants to send in their music digitally to swaofdance@gmail.com. Please make sure that you include the name of the entrant and the class for which the music is with each music submission. Please make sure you include the a/b/c part of the class number available from the running order. For example if you to send music for Class 45 Character 9 & 10 years, this is now class 45a Character 9 years or class 45b Character 10 years, so you would now include the appropriate a and b part of the class. This applies to all age groups with the exceptions of 6 years & under, and 7 & 8 years for whom the class numbers have not changed. If you have questions about your class number please email us.
Don't forget you will still need to bring a backup cd on the day.
Update 21 August - without your help there's a danger the Festival won't be able to run
Following a committee meeting to review a risk assessment for this year’s festival we need your help. A huge amount of work has been put into working out how this year’s Festival can be run with COVID restrictions in place. We are doing our best to enable the children and students to dance, but we cannot do it without you.
Due to the added implications of COVID-19 the Festival requires a team of volunteers to make it run. We cannot stress strongly enough that if we do not have these volunteers, there is a very real danger THE FESTIVAL WILL BE UNABLE TO RUN.
We have calculated that we'll need 20 volunteers per session (a morning, afternoon or evening) to be able to run. These volunteers will help us ensure the safety of competitors and spectators. Roles will involve manning doorways, helping competitors move safely around the building and helping ensure cleaning is carried out, amongst other duties. Volunteers may need to wear a face covering whie volunteering and will be situated in an indoor space with other people.
If we do not have 20 for each section, we will decide to cancel the sessions for which we do not have adequate volunteers. We will be very sorry to have to do this, but it is key to keeping people safe, and this must be our top priority.
If you are able to volunteer please email weymouthdancefestival@gmail.com and let us know the sessions you are able to volunteer for. Please also let us know if you have a DBS with child barring on it. The deadline for volunteers is 3pm Thursday 27 August.
PLEASE HELP US KEEP THE FESTIVAL RUNNING THIS YEAR.
Update 12 August - the running order has been published
Update 11 August - how to submit your music this year
We are taking a different approach to music this year.
For each entry, we will require a mp3 file to be sent into us, labelled with the name of the child and the class it is for.
This year many classes have been divided, so we will be publishing the running order soon with classes on. Please wait for this before labelling your music so you can use the appropriate class number. We are notifying you now so you can make the necessary preparations to be able to submit this.
Please note, you will still need to bring back-up CDs with you on the day/s of your Festival dance/s.
Update 10 August - cups, shields and awards
Please may we request that all of last year's award winners now begin to return their cups/shields/awards. Each award should have a return address attached. For any concerns please email us.
Update 3 August
Please remember to tell us if you wish to transfer from song and dance. The deadline for movement will be next Friday 14 August.
We also need a lot more volunteers. A running order will be published soon. We would appreciate parent volunteers on the days your children aren't dancing. Without your help we won't be able to run the Festival.
Update 30 July - call for volunteers!
To run the Festival this year with the required social distancing in place we are going to require a much larger number of volunteers to help us do this. Please let us know if you are able to help with the Festival.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to have extra people such as children whilst you are volunteering in the building. This might be an ideal volunteering opportunity for old students of the Festival to come back and help us to keep it running for the younger ones, but of course everyone is welcome to volunteer.
Please email us to let us know your interest and availability. If you might be available depending on your child's dancing times please still let us know and we can work with this once the programme is out.
If we are unable to get enough volunteers there is a very real risk we won't be able to run the Festival.
Update 23 July
Our main priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of competitors, parents/spectators and committee/volunteers at the festival. We are regularly reviewing the current government guidelines and making plans for the Festival accordingly.
We are still hopeful we will be able to run the Festival at Weymouth College this year. We will review this in line with guidelines as time progresses and still cannot promise to run the Festival. As per our last update, only solos will be run (including novice solos).
Unfortunately we must inform you that, in line with government guidelines, we are unable to run song and dance classes and the nursery rhyme class. At the moment the government does not allow singing to an audience by amateurs and we cannot see that this is likely to change for some time.
Re the money you have paid for song and dance classes, you can either:weymouthdancefestival@gmail.com
Please note, cheques/PO's will not be cashed until we know the Festival can go ahead.
We hope you understand this decision was not taken lightly and is in the interest of keeping everyone safe.
The Committee
Update 3 June
The committee has made the decision that due to COVID-19 and the consequent social distancing required, this year’s Festival will only have solos (this includes novice solos).
We understand this may be disappointing for many of you, but we hope you understand that we have taken this decision to ensure the safety and well being of all competitors, audience members, and volunteers.
Please note, the above decision does not mean the Festival will definitely go ahead. We have made this decision to allow the maximum possibility of the Festival going ahead, but we may still have to make a difficult decision to cancel the festival should government guidance dictate it is necessary.
Regarding refunds for duets and trio/quartets, we ask that where possible entrants who have already entered send a new cheque for the amount for just their solo entries with a SAE and we will return the original cheque. The same applies for POs please. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please email us and we will endeavour to reply to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time,
The Weymouth Dance Festival Committee
We will update this website with any further decisions which are made.
Please carefully read the letter to teachers as this details some different processes to entering this year.
Teachers do not need to sign entry forms this year. Instead, please make sure you have included your teacher's name and contact details on your entry form. The Committee will then contact teachers to confirm entry.
If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
To keep all participants, volunteers and spectators safe this year we need to limit the audience:
- This year we will be allowing 2 audience members per competitor for each class.
- Tickets will be sold by the class.
- Audience members will be unable to watch classes that they do not have an entrant in.
- The 2 audience members for each competitor must be able to sit next to each other, either because they live in the same house, or because they have formed a bubble.
- We will be operating a track and trace system for all people entering the building. We will therefore be shortly asking for the names and contact details for all audience members and which classes/entrant they will be watching.
- We will also be asking all audience members to wait outside prior to the class they will be watching so strongly encourage people to dress for the weather and bring umbrellas etc.
Update 6 September - changing rooms
We have completed a full risk assessment for this year's Festival and there will be a few key changes to the way the Festival is run this year.
This year participants will be assigned a changing room according to their age (not their dance school) in order to keep mixing to a minimum. For example, all 9 years olds will use the same set of rooms, and 14 year olds will use a different set of rooms.
- Participants will be unable to enter other changing rooms besides the one they have been assigned.
- One parent/guardian will be able to enter the changing room with them but no other family/friends.
- Boys will still be assigned separate changing rooms.
- All participants must arrive dressed for their first class of the day (including hair and make up) to minimise the amount of changing required.
Update 5 September - dance teachers
This year dance teachers will be unable to enter the backstage area or the changing areas as we cannot have the extra people in the building and still keep everyone safe. If dance teachers would like to be involved in this year's Festival we would ask them to volunteer, where they will be posted to help in a certain area of the festival. This will include helping all participants, not just children from their own school. If you have any questions about this please email us.
Update 5 September - submit your music as MP3s now
This year we are doing the music for competitors differently to previous years to reduce handling and passing of CDs between volunteers and competitors.
Please submit your music electronically in MP3 format to swaofdance@gmail.com. Please state your child's name on the email and the class the music is for. This should include the part of the class your child has entered, for example, if you entered Class 3 Ballet 9 & 10 years and your child is 9 on 1st September 2020, you would write Class 3a Ballet 9 years. Please note, all ages have been split with the exception of 6 years & under, and 7 & 8 years who remain still as one class. Please check the running order to confirm the letter associated with your child's class. If you have any trouble identifying your child's class, please email us.
IMPORTANT - Back up CDs should still be brought with the competitor on the day of dancing.
Update 1 September - the Festival will run (barring any further Government restrictions)!
Following the committee meeting last week to discuss volunteer numbers, and consultation with Weymouth College, we are able to confirm that we intend to run the Festival this year. This is always subject to government restrictions and local lockdowns but, that aside, we are able to go ahead. We would like to thank all those who have volunteered to enable us to go ahead this year, it really is very much appreciated.
The Festival will look quite different this year. We have done an extensive risk assessment to ensure everyone's safety and so the way it works this year will have changed in some cases. We will be sending updates out regarding this here and on Facebook over the course of the next few days and weeks.
Music
We would now like to invite all entrants to send in their music digitally to swaofdance@gmail.com. Please make sure that you include the name of the entrant and the class for which the music is with each music submission. Please make sure you include the a/b/c part of the class number available from the running order. For example if you to send music for Class 45 Character 9 & 10 years, this is now class 45a Character 9 years or class 45b Character 10 years, so you would now include the appropriate a and b part of the class. This applies to all age groups with the exceptions of 6 years & under, and 7 & 8 years for whom the class numbers have not changed. If you have questions about your class number please email us.
Don't forget you will still need to bring a backup cd on the day.
Update 21 August - without your help there's a danger the Festival won't be able to run
Following a committee meeting to review a risk assessment for this year’s festival we need your help. A huge amount of work has been put into working out how this year’s Festival can be run with COVID restrictions in place. We are doing our best to enable the children and students to dance, but we cannot do it without you.
Due to the added implications of COVID-19 the Festival requires a team of volunteers to make it run. We cannot stress strongly enough that if we do not have these volunteers, there is a very real danger THE FESTIVAL WILL BE UNABLE TO RUN.
We have calculated that we'll need 20 volunteers per session (a morning, afternoon or evening) to be able to run. These volunteers will help us ensure the safety of competitors and spectators. Roles will involve manning doorways, helping competitors move safely around the building and helping ensure cleaning is carried out, amongst other duties. Volunteers may need to wear a face covering whie volunteering and will be situated in an indoor space with other people.
- These roles are critical for the safety of everyone attending the Festival, and as such, we must stress we need people who are able to commit for a full session.
- These roles will be unable to view the stage in the auditorium and as such we ask that you do not volunteer in sessions where your child(ren) is/are dancing.
- Due to ensuring the safety of all participating and attending, we are also unable to have volunteers bringing children/dependents with them when they are volunteering.
If we do not have 20 for each section, we will decide to cancel the sessions for which we do not have adequate volunteers. We will be very sorry to have to do this, but it is key to keeping people safe, and this must be our top priority.
If you are able to volunteer please email weymouthdancefestival@gmail.com and let us know the sessions you are able to volunteer for. Please also let us know if you have a DBS with child barring on it. The deadline for volunteers is 3pm Thursday 27 August.
PLEASE HELP US KEEP THE FESTIVAL RUNNING THIS YEAR.
Update 12 August - the running order has been published
- The publication of the running order does not guarantee that the Festival will go ahead. We are still subject to COVID-19 Government restrictions and College health and safety rules.
- The committee will make a decision regarding the running of the Festival nearer the time.
- The committee cannot be held responsible for any plans/reservations you make to attend the Festival in the event it is cancelled.
- Cheques and postal orders will not be banked until the Festival is definitely going ahead.
Update 11 August - how to submit your music this year
We are taking a different approach to music this year.
For each entry, we will require a mp3 file to be sent into us, labelled with the name of the child and the class it is for.
This year many classes have been divided, so we will be publishing the running order soon with classes on. Please wait for this before labelling your music so you can use the appropriate class number. We are notifying you now so you can make the necessary preparations to be able to submit this.
Please note, you will still need to bring back-up CDs with you on the day/s of your Festival dance/s.
Update 10 August - cups, shields and awards
Please may we request that all of last year's award winners now begin to return their cups/shields/awards. Each award should have a return address attached. For any concerns please email us.
Update 3 August
Please remember to tell us if you wish to transfer from song and dance. The deadline for movement will be next Friday 14 August.
We also need a lot more volunteers. A running order will be published soon. We would appreciate parent volunteers on the days your children aren't dancing. Without your help we won't be able to run the Festival.
Update 30 July - call for volunteers!
To run the Festival this year with the required social distancing in place we are going to require a much larger number of volunteers to help us do this. Please let us know if you are able to help with the Festival.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to have extra people such as children whilst you are volunteering in the building. This might be an ideal volunteering opportunity for old students of the Festival to come back and help us to keep it running for the younger ones, but of course everyone is welcome to volunteer.
Please email us to let us know your interest and availability. If you might be available depending on your child's dancing times please still let us know and we can work with this once the programme is out.
If we are unable to get enough volunteers there is a very real risk we won't be able to run the Festival.
Update 23 July
Our main priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of competitors, parents/spectators and committee/volunteers at the festival. We are regularly reviewing the current government guidelines and making plans for the Festival accordingly.
We are still hopeful we will be able to run the Festival at Weymouth College this year. We will review this in line with guidelines as time progresses and still cannot promise to run the Festival. As per our last update, only solos will be run (including novice solos).
Unfortunately we must inform you that, in line with government guidelines, we are unable to run song and dance classes and the nursery rhyme class. At the moment the government does not allow singing to an audience by amateurs and we cannot see that this is likely to change for some time.
Re the money you have paid for song and dance classes, you can either:weymouthdancefestival@gmail.com
- Send a new cheque/PO with instructions to destroy the old cheque/PO
- Send a new cheque/PO with a SAE for us to return the old cheque/PO
- Email us on weymouthdancefestival@gmail.com to inform us you would like to donate the value of the song and dance class.
Please note, cheques/PO's will not be cashed until we know the Festival can go ahead.
We hope you understand this decision was not taken lightly and is in the interest of keeping everyone safe.
The Committee
Update 3 June
The committee has made the decision that due to COVID-19 and the consequent social distancing required, this year’s Festival will only have solos (this includes novice solos).
We understand this may be disappointing for many of you, but we hope you understand that we have taken this decision to ensure the safety and well being of all competitors, audience members, and volunteers.
Please note, the above decision does not mean the Festival will definitely go ahead. We have made this decision to allow the maximum possibility of the Festival going ahead, but we may still have to make a difficult decision to cancel the festival should government guidance dictate it is necessary.
Regarding refunds for duets and trio/quartets, we ask that where possible entrants who have already entered send a new cheque for the amount for just their solo entries with a SAE and we will return the original cheque. The same applies for POs please. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please email us and we will endeavour to reply to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time,
The Weymouth Dance Festival Committee
We will update this website with any further decisions which are made.
Please carefully read the letter to teachers as this details some different processes to entering this year.
Teachers do not need to sign entry forms this year. Instead, please make sure you have included your teacher's name and contact details on your entry form. The Committee will then contact teachers to confirm entry.
If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our adjudicator
We are pleased to welcome to our Festival this year Miss Deborah Norris MA, BA(Hons), AISTD as our adjudicator
A graduate of Elmhurst Ballet School, Deborah continued her training at the University College of Ripon and York St John, and completed her MA in Dance Studies at De Montfort University.
A graduate of the Jose Limón Institute of Contemporary Dance, in New York, she has worked internationally as a dancer, educator and choreographer in Musical Theatre, Ballet and Contemporary Dance contexts.
Deborah is the Programme Manager of Rambert 2 and faculty member of Rambert School. Deborah is a PhD candidate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, and is exploring narratives in contemporary ballet.
Deborah is a Board member and adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, and All England Dance.
A graduate of Elmhurst Ballet School, Deborah continued her training at the University College of Ripon and York St John, and completed her MA in Dance Studies at De Montfort University.
A graduate of the Jose Limón Institute of Contemporary Dance, in New York, she has worked internationally as a dancer, educator and choreographer in Musical Theatre, Ballet and Contemporary Dance contexts.
Deborah is the Programme Manager of Rambert 2 and faculty member of Rambert School. Deborah is a PhD candidate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, and is exploring narratives in contemporary ballet.
Deborah is a Board member and adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, and All England Dance.
About Weymouth Dance Festival
Weymouth Dance Festival was started in 2005 and has gained in strength and reputation since.
It takes place every year in The Bay Theatre, which is part of Weymouth College. Please note there is no Festival parking in the College grounds. Please use the free car park across the road, opposite the College entrance.
The festival is affiliated to The British & International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech and follows its rules and regulations. Our patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
We are a registered charity - no. 1169047.
It takes place every year in The Bay Theatre, which is part of Weymouth College. Please note there is no Festival parking in the College grounds. Please use the free car park across the road, opposite the College entrance.
The festival is affiliated to The British & International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech and follows its rules and regulations. Our patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
We are a registered charity - no. 1169047.
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