Take Art Take Pride
Jiving in the streets of Ramsgate - 12th June 2010
On the morning of June 12th people started assembling in the King's Hall, Ramsgate for the final event of our Take Art Take Pride series which focuses on ordinary Ramsgate people taking pride in our town. We were delighted that the Marlowe Academy were keen to join in and our choreographer, Stephanie, and one of her dancers, Harriet, had run a workshop at the school the day before. Over 20 pupils from the Marlowe turned up and were able to help the newcomers learn the jive steps along with Stephanie and the other dancers.
As always, the atmosphere in the hall was fantastic and, yet again, everybody managed to pick up the dance steps in just over an hour. I'm not sure that everyone out on the streets realises that people learn the routine on the day - it's amazing how slick it can get in such a short space of time.
The theme this time was jive and it was another high-energy routine, devised especially for Ramsgate Arts. Spilling out onto the streets on a lovely morning, the crossroads were packed and our group were competing with Cats in Crisis and the St John's Ambulance for space. A large crowd gathered and certainly seemed to thoroughly enjoy the performance. The press were there and we hope to get another write-up for the last of these events that have been so successful. After the main dance routine, Stephanie, Greg and Harriet performed solo and treated us all to a great bit of jive.
Many, many thanks to everyone who has helped make the Take Art Take Pride events so successful. Our first aiders, our stewards, our photographers and filmers, our PA guys, our membership secretary and many more. Plus, most of all, the many new people we've met who took the plunge and decided it would be fun to come and dance. You've told us time and again that you have had fun and it certainly has looked like you have!
An especially big thank you to Bella Goyarts, Ramsgate Arts Board member, who has project-managed all the Take Art Take Pride events.
Watch the dance here!

