In The Beginning
The Day of Dance began in April 1995 with the aim of promoting a newly formed Appalachian Dance Group called Roll Back the Carpet and exploiting the talents of the members of that group and friends of mine which enabled me to run 11 workshops.
I had the idea that any money raised from the venture should go to Oxfam hoping that it might raise £50 to £100. You can imagine my astonishment when the whole event (including the evening Ceilidh/Cajun event) raised a fantastic £1832.36p.
This was meant to be a one off event, but it clearly showed there was a need which catered for people who wanted to have a go at different dance styles which one didn't normally come across in everyday life, so the Day of Dance was launched (born) and it has grown in size to the present one which has more than 50 workshops.
Funds Raised & Beneficiaries
Of course, the success of the Day of Dance relies solely on the generosity of those who make it possible... Some bands charge a nominal fee to cover travel expenses, but the tutors and the helpers/stewards on the day all give their time for nothing.
This spirit of giving permeates the whole day creating an atmosphere quite unique with a tolerance and understanding if an odd thing goes wrong (which it seldom does I might add). The punters know that their money is going to a good cause with no-one making any profit out of the day.
So far the Days of Dance have raised well over £120,000 with OXFAM and YORKSHIRE CND being the main beneficiaries (from whom I now receive a lot of support in the running of the event), but other organisations who have benefited are UNICEF, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Amnesty International, Chernobyl Children's Life Project, Marie Curie, Cancer Care, the Children Intensive Care Unit at Leeds General Infirmary and the Bradford Scanner Appeal at St Lukes Hospital.
The Day of Dance in the news
- Hundreds expected at dance event, Telegraph & Argus, 27th Sept 2007
- Yorkshire Day dance, Telegraph & Argus, 23rd July 2007
- Take your partners, Telegraph & Argus, 5th April 2007
- Book in for day of dance!, Telegraph & Argus, 29th March 2007
- Descend on village for dances, Telegraph & Argus, 25th March 2007
- All set for day of dance, Telegraph & Argus, 22nd March 2007
