Every year thousands of children in Bath take part in the Dance Umbrella Schools Festival, a week of dance performed to an 800-strong audience each night, though funds are desperately needed to secure the future of the event.
This year there will be 99 dances in total, performed over 5 nights – every night sees performances from different schools across Bath.
Tickets for the event, at Bath’s Forum, are hugely sought-after and usually sold-out well in advance. Tickets were so in demand last year that this year an extra night has been added.
Dance Umbrella, now in its 14th year, is run by Bath and North East Somerset School Sport Partnership and sees pupils from schools across B&NES perform pieces choreographed and rehearsed in PE lessons and after-school club sessions.
Despite the huge popularity of the event, funds are desperately needed to secure the future of Dance Umbrella.
Michelle Rochester is co-founder and key organiser of Dance Umbrella. Every year Michelle coordinates and rehearses over 2000 children and produces the show.
She said: “This is the largest children’s event that takes place in the county, and we are very proud of it. We are also looking for a sponsor.
“We encourage Bath-based businesses, whether local or national, to get in touch and have a conversation with us, with a view to getting their name associated with this amazing, massive and inspiring event that touches the lives of thousands of children and their families every year.
“All level of opportunities are available, from support with the programme to sponsorship of the entire event.”