KATRINA BRANDON
By KATRINA BRANDON
MORWELL Festival of Dance started June 23 with a welcoming open of young dancers on their 36th Annual Eisteddfod, and finished this week. Dance schools from all over Victoria came to participate in the eisteddfod, such as Dance Legacy, Dance on Academy, Project Dance, Dance Stream Victoria, Julie Ryan Dancers, and more. “It’s really fun and really big and I get to have fun. I like entertaining people and making them happy.” said Clemmie Reid, from Julie Ryan Dancers. Categories were staged from ages 8-18 and over with solos, duos, trios and group performances in most categories throughout the open days, which were June 23 through to July 2 at the Traralgon Gippsland Performing Arts Centre. Sessions started at 9am, 1pm and 6pm. Dance categories included Tap, Classical, Character, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, National and Contemporary. The festival featured 1800 entries with 520 performers coming from all over Victoria to dance. “I like the Morwell eisteddfod because it’s a new experience for children and I like dancing because you get to encourage new kids and meet more children.” said Zarlee Graham from Julie Ryan Dancers. Normally, the eisteddfod is at Kernot Hall but due to renovations, the group had to move into the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) for this year’s performances. The eisteddfod is run by a committee of volunteers and has been supported by many local businesses as well as supported by the Victoria Government through Creative Victoria and Latrobe City Council.
