By KATRINA BRANDON

 

THE show was on for Moe Dance Eisteddfod.

Dancers from all over Victoria enjoyed the individual or duo connections to the stage at Lowanna College’s auditorium.

Spanning across eight days (April 3-10), the Moe Dance Eisteddfod showcased a staggering variety of more than 1500 dances.

From the classic elegance of ballet to the rhythmic beats of tap, the expressive movements of jazz to the contemporary flair of hip-hop, and many more, the event celebrated the diversity of the different styles.

The days commenced at 9am and extended into the evening, with intervals in between for well-deserved breaks.

All the days went smoothly, apart from one slight issue that presented itself during the Easter weekend, when AusNet scheduled a power outage on Monday, April 8.

Luckily, Eisteddfod president, Shirley Weir came to the rescue.

After many emails and phone calls, which included reaching the Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio’s office, Ms Weir was able to acquire a generator.

“I’m pretty happy because it wasn’t an issue that bothered anybody,” she said.

“I’m very thankful that AusNet supplied the generator because we would have had to change a lot of our schedule and to postpone would have been too difficult because there are people who have come from all over (the state), some who have taken time off of work to bring their children in and put them on stage.

“On Sunday, we had a truck come along with its crane, lift the massive generator off the truck, and position it in the school.

“We had no interruption whatsoever; not even a flicker of the lights went off. We were so lucky they could smoothly take us off the grid.”

Along with the power challenge, the choices for winners in each session became a challenge in some sections.

Ms Weir told the Express that both judicators Sophie McKie and Virginia Ferris, who have more than 20 years experience, had a lot of trouble selecting the winners.

Right before the presentations on Wednesday, April 10, the Eisteddfod held a memorial for their late dancer, Indyana Hopman, who had danced with them for many years.

Dancer Ella Franke, from Julie Ryan Dancers, based in Traralgon and Newborough, said the Eisteddfod community was tightknit.

“I feel like it is a really supportive community. Everyone is very kind, loving, and supportive. It’s a really nice place to be,” she said.

“I have spent 12 to 13 years on the stage. My mum put me into dance classes because I used to dance at home when I was young. Just grew from there, continued to dance, and started performing on stage.”

Excited for the next few years of Eisteddfods left, Ella said that real life disappears on stage – all other worries are gone, and you just enjoy what you do.

Dance schools that participated in the Eisteddfod included Gippsland Academy of Dance, Academy of Dance Victoria, Cathay Lea Academy of Performing Arts, Classical Coaching With Claire, Dance Desires, Dance Legacy, Dance On Academy, Dance Stream Victoria, Dancepointe Academy, Danceworks 114, Destination Dance, Evolve Performing Arts, Expanse School Of Dance, Independent Dance Studios, Jane Moore Academy of Dance, Julie Ryan Dancers, Karlie Grace Dancers, KC’s School of Dance, Leaps & Bounds Dance School, Lisa Pellin Dancers, Reflections Academy of Dance, Sharon Lawerence Academy of DAnce, Spark Studio of Dance, Urban Funk Dance and Volar Dance Centre.

Team: Ayrlee Smith and Katyn Russell in the 13 and over duo/trio section. Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Striking: Senior (15 and over) Classical Championship classical solo open winner Ella Franke from Julie Ryan Dancers.

Duo: Winners of the 12 and under hip hop duo/trio open, Alexis Grayham and Claire Schram from the Dance On Academy.

You got served: Laila Holt from the Lisa Pellin Dances group displays her hip hop skills.