Capezio Freedom II

New this season - The Capezio Freedom II Jazz Shoe. An extremely light & flexible trainer perfect for summer classes. We love the bold pops of colour on the sole!

Halfway between a jazz shoe and a dance sneaker, these slip on dance shoes feature a bungee cord lacing system, are extremely lightweight, lightly padded and nonabrasive which makes them the ideal choice for jazz and performance dance.

The Freedom II shoes are soft yet sturdy and help to promote flexibility thanks to the scored sections that allow the foot to flex and move making them ideal for Pilates & Yoga as well. Designed with strategically placed foot-hugging elastic on the upper for arch support and fit. In addition they feature a low profile for complete freedom of movement.

A must have dance shoe for those who want a lightweight and compact shoe. Update your look and slip them in your dance bag ready for summer classes.

The hardest part will be deciding which colour!

Renowned for their traditional and innovative products, we are very pleased to introduce a selection of Merlet Dance Shoes to our ballet and jazz collections.

Since 1973 when founder Roger James Merlet started to design and manufacture Pointe shoes, Merlet products have been acknowledged all over the world and have acquired an international reputation and a major international following.

Our featured Merlet products include the ‘Envol’ canvas ballet shoe with a lined canvas demi-pointe. Its vamp and full sole are entirely sewn with overcast stitch, making this a flexible, comfortable and strong ballet slipper ideal for children. Or, for the Advanced/Professional dancer the Merlet ‘Setha’ elastic canvas ballet shoe is split sole and provides excellent support of the foot.

For a soft, flexible & strong leather jazz shoe Merlet 'Jazzy' jazz shoe benefits from being completely flat with no heel - therefore allowing good footwork technique and traction. And we also love the comfy soft fit of the canvas 'Gisele' split sole jazz boot which feel like velvet to the touch and come fully laced.

Merlet has worked very closely with professionals within the dance industry to develop products of first-rate quality. We will be expanding our range of Merlet dance shoes even further in the near future so check back soon for updates!

You will be spoilt for choice with our fabulous range of Latin shoes this season!

What ever style of Latin dance gets your hips shaking, be it the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble or Jive we have a huge selection of Latin dance shoes available from the worlds leading dance shoe manufacturers in a wide variety of colours and heels sizes to give you that sexy flair!

The typical ladies Latin dance shoe is an open toed sandal with a 2 - 3 inch heel and a flexible design. Dance shoes are the foundation of good dancing and a Latin dancer in flexible dance shoes will be able to embrace the fast paced, sensual moves of the Latin dance technique,

Latin dance shoes should fit snugly, with your toes right at the edge of the sole. Some dancers even prefer to have their toes overhanging the sole slightly to enable them to feel the floor better; however it’s really a personally choice.

Dancewear Central is very pleased to bring you our extensive range from Roch Valley, Port Dance, Werner Kern, Anna Kern, Supadance & Ooba Shoo. Underneath the glamour are the latest innovations in shoe production that will provide the optimum support and stability enabling fluidity throughout the dance.

If you’ve not dashed straight to our Latin shoe section yet to pick out your favourite pair then read on for a selection of our most wanted designs this season to tempt you!

Roch Valley continually strive to develop new & exciting products and work with dancers at all levels to ensure the highest quality in comfort & performance. This season they have introduced the ‘Selina’ Latin sandal in classic black with silver hologram. The 2.5" Slim flared heel is perfect for beginners and the x strap design is suited to dancers who don’t like the feeling of the shoe separating from the foot when pointing. With a padded insole & leather lining for comfort and quick fasten buckle system. Elegant & glamorous and at a great price!

Supadance shoes offer unrivalled comfort and the highest quality, Not surprisingly they have been chosen by many world champions We love the 1029 - A classic Latin Patent T-Bar Sandal with round insole toe shape, a regular fit and featuring a 2.5" slim heel. The t -bar design of the 1029 will give you a secure fit. Soft, flexible & supportive.

Portdance is committed to creating beautiful ballroom dance shoes, with the highest quality and comfort. They guarantee the essential features in the ballroom dance world: Quality, Sensuality, Glamour and Flexibility. We love the PD140 Premium in Tan Satin which features a cross over ankle strap and an ultra slim heel. The flesh tone of the shoes is great for lengthening the look of your legs on the dance floor!

The Werner Kern Nueva Epoca is an extremely exclusive Tango and Salsa range made in Italy. The collection is developed by Werner Kern together with designers from Buenos Aires and Italy. Only the most sophisticated and extraordinary materials have been used. There are many vibrant colours to choose from in this range including the fabulous Werner Kern Angeles Ladies Tango Shoe in electric blue! Featuring an impressive 8cm ultra slim heel and an attractive slim ankle strap, it’s a shoe to rival all others on the dance floor!

What’s not to love about the adorable spring 2012 range of children’s wear from Bloch and Mirella??

The pretty pastel colours are perfect for spring and every piece is beautifully made with unbelievably elegant designs, the finest attention to detail and a fully lined front bodice on each piece. You’ll be spoilt for choice but you can be sure to find the perfect outfit for your budding ballerina or dance fanatic who will want to wear it every day!

We’ve selected a few of our favourites guaranteed to make every little girl dazzle and feel like a princess!!


Bloch 'Dununa' Tutu Dress
Look pretty in pink! Or lilac if you prefer, in this Lace tutu dress. The attached multi-layer tulle skirt features a soft and delicate lace overlay for a super sweet look. The perfect princess dress, your little ballerina will shine from every angle thanks to Spandex shimmer incorporated within a soft and comfortable stretchy leotard. Delicate lace puff sleeves complement the feminine, soft design. Finished with diamante detailing embellished on the elegant neck line makes this tutu dress extra special in every way.


Mirella M249C Tutu Leotard
A classic camisole leotard made from a blend of nylon and Spandex shimmer for extra sparkle! Each layer of the attached 3 tier tulle tutu skirt is finished beautifully to ensure that the tutu sits correctly and flows perfectly with movement. Pretty glitter butterflies embellish the front whilst cross straps finish the back.

Mirellla M1057C Mock Wrap Leotard
A delicate, fluttery leotard dress that is comfortable and easy to wear. The soft pastel pink or blue colours have a hint of sparkle making it perfect for both for the classroom or the stage. The classic yet charming mock wrap style leotard is beautifully finished with cap sleeves and the attached georgette skirt moves gracefully with the dancer. The leotard is finished off with pretty glitter butterfly detail.

Bloch 'Erasto' Cap Sleeve Leotard
A classic cap sleeve ballet leotard that will look very stylish in class. The matt spandex gives the leotard a lovely soft finish and the pleated tulle detail on the bodice adds a unique touch to a simple, elegant and timeless piece. Not forgetting the sparkly diamante trim on the neck line for an extra touch of class! A fantastic leotard worn by itself to class or teamed up with the matching Bloch CR1987 Jojo Skirt for that prima ballerina performance! The 3 layer pleated tutu skirt is the perfect match with its sparkle waistband and gentle pleats to help your little dancer steal the show!

Why not take a look at the rest of our Bloch and Mirella childrens dancewear including leotards, tutus, dresses & skirts. All super cute and beautifully made, you won’t want your young dancer to miss out on this limited edition collection!

Serious professionals and dance students demand dance shoes that fit their expectations and our new range of performance jazz shoes from Capezio for men and women does just that!

CAPEZIO JAG

A soft & supple foot hugging dance shoe. The upper is constructed from soft suede and perforated neoprene for a lightweight and breathable high performance shoe. The suede provides support and durability and the perforated neoprene adds a lightweight feel and ample breathability. With an EVA wrapped outsole for the perfect balance of slip and grip. It has been designed with a Velcro strap and an elastic lace system for security and increased arch support.

The jag is a very comfortable fitted shoe and extremely flexible featuring the arch hugging PowerPointe Construction® and provides the dancer with clean lines and an arch enhancing look with it’s slip on style.

Available in Black or Caramel, Sizes 2 - 8

CAPEZIO STRAZZ

Capezio 460E Strazz Dance Shoe features a stretch canvas upper with neoprene insert and a suede sole forepart and EVA heel. Lined with soft nylon spandex for comfort. The Strazz is perfect for achieving outstanding comfort, performance and style and its ankle boot height provides support and durability for the dancer.

Available in Black. Sizes 2 - 10

CAPEZIO FIZZION

The Fizzion Z11 is designed to heighten your natural movement . An innovative sock-like shoe providing a second-to-none barefoot feel. The Fizzion features breathable polyester/Lycra, sheep skin leather uppers and a plush elastic top line. The ExoArmor duet suede sole patches enhance articulation and provide traction. The suede heel patch is padded for comfort and shock absorption.

The design allows the dancer a personalized fit and style thanks to the adjustable laces and elastic straps that can be secured in several ways to wrap the ankle, provide instep support, or arch support with heel security. Wear it your way!

Worn by celebrity dancers, this is a good shoe choice for professional dancers and serious dance students who want a barefoot feel. The sizes tend to run a little small because the shoes are made to fit like a tight sock so if your feet fall between sizes then it would probably be best to choose the larger size.

Available in Black. Sizes: S (4-5), M (6-7), L (8-9). XL (10-11)

Introducing the Spring 2012 collection from Pineapple Dancewear - a fantastic range of dance clothes designed to help you stand out from the crowd! Created by the founder of the Pineapple Dance Studios, Debbie Moore, this season’s iconic range of Pineapple Dance clothes are in stock now and available to buy online from Dancewear Central.


The latest Pineapple clothing for women features a selection of modern classics including off-the-shoulder tops, cut off neck lines and draping sides for you to create your own unique layered look. Team them up with slouchy and relaxed soft crop pants or the fabulous Zip Skinny Pants. This season’s retro dancer look is sure to impress in both performance and style!

Our hot favourites from the Spring 2012 Ladies Pineapple range include:


The limited Edition Pineapple Zip Skinny Pants for dance. Featuring a drawstring waist elasticised cuffed legs and zipped pockets. Pink Pineapple logo on the Indigo Blue shade and White Pineapple logo on the Black shade. 95% Cotton 5% Elastane.

Pineapple Retro Oversized Tee - A Pineapple best seller! Wear as a T-Shirt over leggings or warm up pants or as a dress over leotards. 100% cotton

Pineapple Soft Crop Hoodie - Retro hoodie with Pineapple 'Survival of the Fittest' logo printed on the front. Available in indigo blue with striking pink logo contrast - Complete the look for your workout with the Pineapple Double Band Crop Dance Pants with colour contrasting waistband.

The Pineapple Slit Tee is a Jazz and Commercial favourite. Keep your cool and layer it with a crop top or vest top. Available in Black or White. 100% cotton


Pineapple Longline Bardot top - An oversized long sleeve Pineapple Dance Top featuring the heart dance script logo on the front. Great for dance warm ups, workouts and fashion wear.

Check out our complete Pineapple range including children’s dance wear and the latest collection of popular Pineapple dance bags. All limited edition items are only available whist stock last and are guaranteed to sell out fast! So snap yours up quick! - You could even have it by tomorrow with our next day delivery service*!!

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

If you plan to study RAD ballet you will be required to wear a specific uniform and it can be confusing to know what you need. We have put together a simple guide to help you find out what you are likely to need for your ballet class - including items from the new Freed ballet range which has been approved by the Royal Academy of Dance & features the RAD logo.

Girls

Pre-Primary & Primary - A short sleeved leotard like the Freed ‘Chloe’ leotard along with matching Freed Georgette Wrap-over Skirt, worn with LBS ballet socks and Roch Valley ballet shoes in pink. To keep warm in class we reccommend the Roch Valley OL1 cross over cardigan.

At Grades 1 & 2 Girls can now wear a sleeveless leotard like the Freed ‘Aimee’ with ballet tights - Coppelia Full Foot Ballet Tights are RAD approved. Character work begins at grade 1 so low heel character shoes like Roch Valley REGLHB and a Character Skirt will be required . It is important to measure the required length of the character skirt . (Tip: the bottom of the hem should reach mid calf)

In Grades 3 to 8 girls may wear a more grown up leotard such as the Freed ‘Faith’ which features a rouched front. Roch Valley REGCUB regulation Cuban heel character shoes can now be worn and convertible ballet tights.

Boys

Pre-primary & Primary - Freed of London RAD Short Sleeve T-Shirt with Freed of London RAD Shorts worn over the top are recommended with white ankle socks and white or black ballet shoes such as the Roch Valley SS/L Premium leather.

Grade 1 - 2 - A short sleeved leotard such as the Freed ‘Aaron’ in white. Roch Valley BCB Boys Regulation Character Shoes are suitable for character work which is included in the RAD syllabus from grade 1.

Grade 3 - 8 - Boys & Men may feel more comfortable switching from shorts to stirrup tights such as Freed of London Stirruped Tights in navy or black.

Each dance school will have their own colour choice as their RAD uniform so its best to check with you dance teacher which style and colour you will need before you buy.

Fashion Week season is now upon us so we wanted to give you a sneak preview of the upcoming trends to be seen in at the dance studios for Spring/Summer 2012!

Lace has featured on the catwalks season after season and now Bloch has embraced the classic look to bring you their most luxurious range of leotards and dancewear yet. The main theme running through this season's collection is a classic look with a bold and edgy touch.

Let's start out with the oh so trendy Bloch L6016 'Kate' lace sleeve leotard - featuring 3/4 lace sleeves, open back and a V front neck line. Alternatively, the Bloch L6042 'Chiwa' leotard is a cap sleeved finished beautifully with a buttoned up lace back. Both are elegant and flattering choices for ballet. Or why not change the look completely and pair up with black fishnets and New Yorkers!

The Bloch L6025 'Chisom' leotard features subtle lace accenting to the back and side panels, or if you prefer a halter neck style, check out the Bloch L6040 'Ebo' leotard with a sophisticated lace front panel and button detail to the neck.

If you like the idea of a style that embraces pleats, folds and draping into your dancewear instead, then look towards the Bloch L5997 'Ababuo' cami-leotard for inspiration! A simple look with clean, flattering lines and a soft and feminine finish thanks to the cross fronted pleats. While with the Bloch L5935 'Bady' 3 way leotard you can have 3 elegant and flattering looks in one! The pleated shoulder straps can be worn as cap-sleeve, off the shoulder or as a cami-leotard.

Take a look at our complete range of this season’s Ladies Bloch Dancewear in our New Arrivals section! A strong collection of heavenly fabrics, adorned with fabulous vivid colour’s to choose from such as Dahlia Mauve, Blue Shadow and of course time defying black. You'll be spoilt for choice with leotards, matching skirts, unitards and warm-up wear!

When classic elegance blends so well with the unique style of this season's Bloch Dancewear range, it’s bound to make for some serious head-turning and double takes! Perfect power dressing for that audition too!

All Bloch Limited Edition items are in stock at Dancewear Central from March 2012 but you can pre-order yours now to avoid disappointment!

Get ready to grace the floor with Dancewear Centrals’ versatile range of ballroom, Latin and salsa practice wear for ladies and gents. Whether you are just starting classes for fun or are a top level competitor, you will know the most important thing to wear whilst training is clothing that is comfortable but does not restrict your movement. We have selected a range of quality practice wear from brands such as Capezio and BodyWrappers so you can add comfort, glamour and sophistication to your training sessions.

Our Ballroom Wear range is always expanding but heres our top 3 favourites that we reccommend you take a look at:

The Capezio Asymmetrical Short Ruffle Skirt is made of a very soft knit fibre; this garment gives excellent drape and movement - ideal for both practice and performance.

Hit the floor Strictly Ballroom Style with the Body Wrappers Asymmetrical Pullover Dress! Embrace every dance move with the large flutter sleeve and cascading side drape. Features decorative side gathers and clear detachable or interchangeable shoulder strap. Steal the show by wearing with Capezio Shimmer tights and your favourite shoes to your next Latin or Salsa class!

Capezio Flared Leg Pants are perfect for ballroom practice. Made of a very soft knit fibre, the garment has excellent drape and movement and features a roll down waist band. Made with DanceDry technology to accelerate evaporation and keep the body dry; ensuring comfort during those long rehearsals and dance classes.

Chosen for there comfort, style and performance, Dancewear Central are pleased to present a selection from the Freed of London Dance Steps range - now in stock!

All Freed shoes in the ladies collection extend our selection of social and wide fit ballroom shoes. The Freed Dance Steps range are all hand made in the UK and feature a comfortable low heel. Take a look at the Freed Garnet or Topaz open toe shoe , Garland court shoe or the Amethyst ladies social shoe which are all available in either an 'E' or 'EE' width fitting.

We've also added to our children’s range too with the Freed lucy1 and the Sparkle for girls and the Freed of London MPB Patent Ballroom Shoes for the boys! All are ideal for junior Latin and ballroom dancing competitions.

Freed of London is a long established brand of shoes worn by many World Standard and Lain American Champions. By building on their experience and working with some of the world's leading professional dancers and coaches they have created a range of styles which allows dancers of all abilities to show their full potential on the dance floor.

For the very best Freed Dance Shoes buy from Dancewear Central for next day delivery!

We are committed to supporting dance teachers and dance schools with the best products, specialist advice and the most competitive prices. We understand it can be hard to maintain a dance school on a tight budget which is why we can offer you exclusive discounts for all your dancewear requirements.

Apply for an account with us and your dance school can take advantage of 10% off all orders and free delivery!*

Discount can be used on everything in our online store: - from the latest dance fashion for practice wear to uniforms, exam garments and dance shows - we have a wide range of specialist dancewear for all your needs.

It’s simple to register for your dance school discount; simply fill in the form via the link on our home page to confirm your schools status. Once we have verified your school/teacher status we will send you a confirmation email and your discount & free postage will be automatically deducted from your orders.

You can place your orders online or by phone and with our live stock availability feature on all products as well as an experience sales team on hand, you can be sure of a professional & personalised service.

Please note that following your application we may need to contact you for further information to verify your status as a teacher such as a letterhead or valid website address. *Free delivery for UK Mainland orders only.

Apply today and start saving!!

Dancewear Central wishes you a very Happy New Year 2012!

What are your New Years Resolutions?? Have you made goals for yourself in the hope of becoming a better dancer, choreographer, or teacher this year? Or maybe you have decided 2012 is the year you will take up a new dance discipline, so why not take a look at our sale section for practice wear and dance shoes to get you started!

DANCEWEAR CENTRAL SALE NOW ON!!

Browse through our Special Offers section for practice wear, dance trainers, ballroom & latin shoes, accessories & bags. Including sale items from our best selling brands such as: - Capezio, Roch Valley, Bloch, Mirella, Sansha, Port Dance, Freed, Oobashoo & SupaDance

Fantastic discounts available such as dance bags from just £4.95, warm up wear now from only £6.95, or you can even grab yourself a bargain pair of ballroom shoes such as Ladies Supadance Latin shoes from just £44!

Plus many more sale items to help you dance your way into 2012 in style!


We are making way for our brand new spring collection so hurry, these great offers are only available for a limited time!

All the best for 2012 everyone - Keep Dancing!!

If you’ve been watching the Pineapple Dance series on Sky One then no doubt you have come across one of the main characters Louie Spence. One of the dance industry’s most unique talents! Louie has appeared as dancer in many of the big West End shows, including Miss Saigon and Cats - in which he played the role of the magical Mr Mistoffelees. This winter we have a great range of Pineapple dance products available from the associated brand for the familiar Pineapple Dance Studios.

The range features an oversized vest to be worn as part of a layered look and is a hot favourite in the dance studios right now! The loose fitting muscle back top has arm holes that are very low on the sides so looks great teamed with a strappy bra top. There is one in this seasons Pineapple range to complement the vest top. Being so versatile the bra top can also be worn on its own and provides extra support during dance classes and workouts.


Team up t-shirts, vests and crops with Pineapple's latest pants. The best thing about them is they can be rolled up the leg to any length making them great for both work outs and chill outs. Featuring a deep double elastic waistband band branded with the Pineapple logo, roll top waist and elasticised ankles. These were a favourite with our models and are highly recommended!


Don’t forget the classic Pineapple hoodie - a staple dancewear item! Featuring draw cord detail and a front pocket. It is designed to be a comfortable, oversized fit, so we would recommend ordering your normal size!. Available in black so you can wear it with just about anything!

We've got kids wear too so check out our full Pineapple range in the new products section - All items are in stock now!


Get the commercial look with this seasons Pineapple Dancewear!

Don’t leave your Christmas shopping till the last minute! There’s still time to get all your dance gifts for Christmas from Dancewear Central. You can shop with us 24 hours a day and have it delivered to you're front door. Order your dancewear online and avoid the crowds, queuing and cold weather this year!

Our recommended order dates for Christmas delivery are as follows:

UK Standard Delivery - Friday 16 December 2011
UK Next Day Delivery- Friday 21 December 2011
European Standard Delivery – Monday 12th December 2011

Please remember delivery times can vary and may be longer than expected due to high volumes of post at seasonal times, and weather delays so we would recommend ordering as soon as possible.

We’ve extended our Returns Policy for Christmas 2011 so all goods* ordered as Christmas gift's from 1st November 2011 onwards can be returned for a full refund or exchange up until the 20th January 2012. *(Excluding tights and make-up)



Don't forget we have live stock availability so you can be sure you item is in stock when you order!

Beat the high street rush this Christmas and shop online for the little dancers in your life! Here's our top ten stocking filler ideas from Dancewear Central that won’t break the bank....

Gifted Dancer Tiaras - No Christmas fairy is complete without a Princess Tiara! Dancewear Central has a stunning range of 5 sparkling tiaras to choose from. Prices start at just £6.95

Hair sets - Dancers often have to keep their hair up in a bun or neat pony tail. Little dancers can learn to look the part with hair sets of elastics, hairnets, cute bobble’s and slides. Prices from £1.45


Gifted Dancer Key Rings - Always a favourite stocking filler for dancers! Themed key rings with either a Pointe Shoe or Tap Shoe design to choose from. Priced at £4.95

Gifted Dancer Pendant - This gift definitely has the wow factor! A beautifully presented silver dance pendant on a chain, complete with gift box! We have 4 styles to choose from . Prices start at just £8.95!


Bloch diamante studded Ballet Shoe -Our favourite gift this year!
Limited Edition Bloch Taya Ballet Shoe finished with eye catching diamante studded floral lace. Your little ballerinas won’t want to take them off their dancing feet! (Matching Bloch A66 Diamante Bag also available). Only £9.95


Gifted Dancer Charm Bracelet - Childs silver effect bracelet with four pretty charms including ballerina and ballet shoes. Only £1.95


Satin Ballet Bag – A pink and black satin finish dance bag with ballet shoe design, zip fastening and shoulder strap makes this a luxurious looking gift. Sized at 15"x 12" it is the perfect size for dance class garments . Only £9.95


Mirella Flutter Sleeve Dress - Already selling out fast! This limited edition tutu dress is the perfect Christmas gift for your little dancers! Available in pink or white, the leotard has a tulle skirt with iridescent glitter spots to catch the light beautifully and pretty cap sleeves with the same glittery effect. Only £16.95


Large Tutu Bag - A great present for older girls (and professionals!) who want to look the part and carry their tutu around safely at dance festivals, competitions and shows. Available in pink . Only £28.95


Grimas Polyglitter - Grimas glitter adds the essential sparkle to face paint designs. It comes in two forms, loose poly glitter and tip cream. Easy to use and perfect for hobby or professional use...... Or for the stars of the school play or dance show of course! Prices from £7.95

When three of the world’s leading dance examination boards with more than 15,000 UK members between them join forces with the Royal Albert Hall it can only mean one thing…… The launch of the Dance Proms!!

On Sunday 13th November 2011 members from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) will come together for a national celebration of dance, dancers and dance teachers. Members who successfully applied by sending video clips of their dance routines have been selected via a judging panel and public vote to perform an original piece of choreography in any dance genre ranging from Ballet to Bollywood,. This is a fantastic opportunity for dancers to perform live at one the world’s most prestigious venues, the Royal Albert Hall in London.

This is the very first time the 3 dance organizations in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall have collaborated, and Dance Proms will celebrate the dedication and passion of dance teachers and give dancers from all over the country the opportunity to perform and showcase their work.

It is hoped that the event will allow dance to reach new audiences through the media and that Dance Proms will become an annual celebration and appreciation of dance. With patrons including Karen Hardy and Wayne Sleep and guest appearances by Strictly Come Dancing’s Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova and Principals of The Royal Ballet on the night, Dance Proms 2011 certainly looks set to be a dance festival not to be missed!


Good luck to all the Dance schools participating in the Dance Proms! Whether you are performing as a solo, duet or a group, the showcase will no doubt be a spectacular event! We would also like to wish Dancewear Central’s customers who are taking part the very best of luck! We look forward to hearing all about it soon!

Heel protectors are our most frequently requested dance accessory and we are delighted to now have in stock a variety of brands and styles to offer our customers.

Heel protectors are small transparent synthetic sleeves that simply slip over the tip of the heel. We have a selection of sizes which will fit most heel styles and shapes.The main purpose of heel protectors is to help to prevent damage and to prolong the lifetime of the heel tips on your ballroom shoes. They offer increased protection to help stop the heels from wearing out and can assist with grip on slippery dance floors.

Many dancers will no doubt have experienced the ‘skidding heel’ at some point. Heel protectors can give additional grip on the floor, so when you are driving forward your heel is less likely to slip from under you.

Some ballroom dancers find that heel protectors can give a little extra surface area to the heels which can make performing a heel turn easier. Another big reason why dancers like top wear heel protectors is to prevent uneven wear on the heel. If you find you tend to roll towards the outside of your foot when you dance you will probably notice that the outside edge of your heel will be worn away. The uneven wear on your shoes can then cause a tendency to roll out even worse. Or, if you are a dancer who has a tendency to use a lot of foot pressure you may find that heel protectors reduce the chances of sliding when you hit a seam in the dance floor!


Dance societies such as the ISTD, the IDTA and the UKA operate dance exams and competitions and it is sometimes mandatory that dancers use heel protectors in order to protect the dance floor from damage. This can be a requirement for both the competition floor and the practice floor. Not wearing them can even result in being disqualified!

We stock heel protectors that are specific to the brand and heel style of your shoes and would recommend purchasing them at the same time as your new ballroom shoes.

Werner Kern heel protectors are available in two sizes for Werner Kern Ladies dance shoes - 5.5cm heel or the 6.5cm heel. The Nueva Epocha Heel protectors are recommended for use with their 8.5cm heel.

Port Dance heel protectors are recommended to fit Port Dance flared Heel shoes or Port Dance Slim heel shoes.

Supadance heel protectors are available to match Supadance slim heel shoes or Supadance flared heel.

Prices start from just £2.95 so you can dance away in your favourite shoes without worrying about the heels wearing away!

Capezio's versatile unisex Fizzion Dance Shoe manages to balance out the solid look of a dance trainer but feels like you are wearing only a pair of socks!

Capezio fans who love the FootUndeez will definately love the padded suede patches on the ball of foot and on the heel of the Fizzion which offer comfort and shock absorption. ExoArmor duet suede sole patches enhance articulation and provide traction.

The Capezio Fizzion is constructed from breathable Polyester/Lycra, sheep skin leather upper, and a plush elastic topline.The material on the sole is a strech fabric that acts as a second skin and stays with your foot as the dancer rolls right through from a pointe to a flex, the Fizzion hugs your foot and heightens your natural movement.

Instead of streamlining the shoe, the Capezio Fizzion has been designed with straps and lace to offer each dancer their own unique and individual style that can be customise to your fit preference using the interchangeable strap and lacing system which can be secured in several ways to wrap the angle, provide instep support, or arch support with heel security- there are at least 9 different ways to configure the strap & laces!

This is a good shoe choice for professional dancers and serious dance students who want a barefoot feel. The sizes tend to run a little small and the shoes are made to fit like a tight sock so if your feet fall between sizes then it would probably be best to choose the larger size.

Dancewear Central are very pleased to announce we now have a live stock availability system for ordering your dancewear online - A brand new service for our customers.

For online ordering and delivery of all your dancewear needs, our individual product listings will show you whether we have a particular item in stock.

To check availability of an item simply select your colour and size option and Dancewear Central's stock levels will be displayed. It couldnt be simpler!

All your favourite dancewear brands in one place including Bloch, Capezio, Roch Valley, Freed, Mirella, Pineapple, Sansha. Visit our website for our complete range of the best dancewear brands at very competitive prices, avaliable with next day delivery too!

Ballet is hitting the headlines right now with the London 2012 Olympics searching for 10,000 performers to take part at the prestigious opening and closing ceremonies next July. This is an amazing opportunity for dancers across the UK to become a part of history and impress the billions of people worldwide who will be watching next July’s extravaganza at the Olympic Park in Stratford!

Oscar winning director Danny Boyle is specifically searching for talented Pointe trained dancers to perform on this world stage. London Mayor Boris Johnson has said how this is an experience for performers no cheque book can buy and is a chance for performers to be one of the greatest shows on earth.

Auditions and rehearsals for the Olympics will soon be underway and here at Dancewear Central we have everything any dancer would need to stay stylish and comfortable during their long practice sessions – Our new range of Bloch leotards are made from Microlux which offers a luxurious appearance whilst the rapid moisture wicking ensures dancers stay comfortable so they can focus on their performance.


A classic camisole leotard is always a favourite in the dance studio and this seasons new range from Mirella ticks all the right boxes. Leotards like the Mirella M2031M Cami Leotard with side front ruched detail or the Mirella M202LM Camisole Leotard which features ruched front and V shaped back and bra shelf lining. The whole collection features radiant colours and are suitable for all levels of dance.

Along with stylish practice wear, a dancers best friend if often their shoes – Something Sir Paul McCartney knows all about after spending many hours with the New York City Ballet who are performing the ballet Sir Paul has written himself! The world premier of ‘Oceans Kingdom’ took place at the home of the New York City Ballet and tells the story of a princess called Honorata who is snatched by an evil queen before being reunited with her love.

Not only did the ex Beatle write the Ballet, he also had creative input with the choreography and it was during rehearsals he witnessed the grueling nature of a dancers profession and the ‘occupational hazards’ that are involved. Dancers must take extra care of their feet and choosing the right fitting shoes and footwear accessories will help a lot in reducing injuries. For both beginners and advanced dancers alike, the range of Pointe shoes Dancewear Central stock enables dancers to match the characteristics of each Pointe shoe with their particular foot shape, level of experience and requirements whether for class or a performance. We Have a carefully selected a range of Pointe shoes from Capezio, Grishko, Kersha and Sansha – all available to order online.

Warming up correctly by using a resistance band can help dancers of all levels to strengthen specific areas of the body. The Bunheads exercise band can help with Pointe work preparation and can assist with injury recovery. It’s must have dance bag accessory available in 3 resistance strengths. The Bunheads resistance exercise bands are also ideal for young dancers preparing for Pointe work and a The Super Heavy Weight is great for male dancers too.

Footwear accessories such as the Bunheads Jelly Tips are especially useful for use with Pointe shoes. The inside is coated with gel to help alleviate the pressure that can cause bruised toenails and can be cut to size to create a perfectly seamless toe sock. Whist a A Tendu Toe Spreader is solid gel spreader used to help keep the big toe joint straight in the Pointe shoe and can be worn when there is a gap between the big toe and 2nd toe.

For Pointe work in the studio or on stage ballet dancers often use rosin on their Pointe shoes. Rosin has a strong friction-increasing capacity which makes it suitable for using to increase grip and control when dancing on Pointe.

As Sir Paul McCartney’s ballet dancers and the lucky Pointe work performers at the Olympics will know, foot injuries are part of the job, but they can be reduced by having the correct fitting shoes and accessories to help alleviate the risk of injury and future foot problems.

We all love a good film and some of them are so good that you can watch them over and over without ever feeling bored. Dance plays an integral part in a lot of films.... but which dance scenes are the most memorable from the movies? Here are three of our favourites...

1. Save the Last Dance

Julia Stiles plays a classical ballerina in this film. She meets a (rather dishy) hip hop dancer and while it seems their two 'styles' are a million miles away, the fusion of classical ballet with hip hop works. And whether you love or hate the film, you can't deny that the heroine's final audition dance scene is simply stunning.



2. Pulp Fiction

A classic film and a favourite for many, Pulp Fiction was a global hit. 17 years after its release it continues to be just as acclaimed. 'That dance scene' might not show off any classical moves, but there's not denying it as one of the most memorable in a much loved movie.



3. Dirty Dancing
You could argue that's far too predictable to include, far too cliche or perhaps simply overused, but think 'dance in the movies,' and everyone thinks 'Dirty Dancing.' Patrick Swayze sent women worldwide weak at the knees with his moves in the unforgettable final dance....

It seems only a few weeks ago that we were entering 2010! But as 2011 gets into full flow, we thought there’s no better time to take a look at what the UK dance calendar is offering this year! While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are three of the events we’re most looking forward to!

Serious About Street Dance
Street Dance is enjoying phenomenal growth in the UK at the moment, something we can credit in part to the success of reality shows like Britain’s Got Talent. This year’s event will take place in London on the evening of 27^th February and will showcase the best in British and European Street Dance talent.

Find out more.

Move It!
March will see the return of Move It! From the 11^th-13^th March in London, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Now considering the success of 2010’s event, that’s quite some promise. As well as the exhibition area, this event has a whole host of live performances from cutting edge dancers and troupes as well as classes with the professionals in almost every type of dance you can think of!

Find out more.

Telford Dance Festival
From 8^th – 11^th March 2011, Telford will play host to the Telford Dance festival. A festival that truly celebrates the diversity of dance, the four days will showcase dance talent of all ages from all genres and promises to be a brilliant event.

Find out more.



Flawless won over the British public when they appeared on reality TV show Britain’s Got Talent. The street dance troupe made up of ten incredibly down to Earth guys. Their punchy, memorable and often very witty routines went down a treat. On their initial audition, music mogul Simon Cowell even went as far as to describe the troupe as “one of the best things I have seen in my life.” That’s one hell of a compliment!

They made it to the finals of the show but ultimately lost out. But what have they done since and where are they now?

Well, they’ve certainly been busy. They starred in massive box office film Streetdance 3D. And just when you would be forgiven for thinking that these are obviously guys who are at the most comfortable in front of an audience of millions, they go and prove you wrong. The next big move saw the guys downsize somewhat and play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to audiences of no more than a few hundred. However, they were debuting their first hour long performance Chase the Dream. The troupe commented that their previous “10 minute routines,” had not given them the opportunity to show their full potential. Thus Chase the Dream came about. Many months later on and the show has been tidied up and is now touring the UK.

Now that’s not bad for a group of lads who just thought they’d “have a go,” is it?





Paula Abdul is famous for having once been a judge on hit show, American Idol. However, she is now turning her hand to a different type of talent show as she launches “Live to Dance,” on American channel, CBS in early January 2011.

The show attracted thousands of dancers, both groups and individuals and of varying degrees of talent (as you might expect).The acts were all of all ages, from all over the USA and were competing for the massive $500,000 prize! That’s certainly worth dancing for, right? The early previews show us that there will be a pre-recorded audition segment at the start of the series (in much the same way most reality TV talent shows work) and that there will then be live shows later on.

Around the world, we have an insatiable appetite for dance on TV at the moment, from Strictly, to Britain’s Got Talent, Dancing on Ice and now this talent show stateside dedicated to all genres of dance.

For British viewers, of course, we’re unlikely to see it on TV here. However, at Dancewear Central we’ll be keeping up with the show on the CBS website and Youtube and will be sure to keep you in the loop too!

Forget fad diets and pounding a treadmill in a gym! According to Strictly celebs, Patsy Kensit and Felicity Kendal have talked to the British media about how the show had led them to weight loss!

And there's a reason for it too! An hour of an up tempo dance style can burn off 300 calories as well as work your muscles, thus burn fat! It's for this reason that the health authorities here in the UK have been encouraging us to get our dance shoes on and get moving! As a nation struggling with something of an obesity epidemic, getting everyone moving is imperative! And dance is certainly a great way to do it!

Professional dancers will know the energy it takes already! But first time dancers might be surprised to find out just how active dance will actually get them - yet is completely enjoyable at the same time.

It's a social activity and you can do it anywhere! Your living room, your nearest night club, your community centre or the streets (if you don't mind the funny looks)! You can dance anywhere to absolutely anything and it doesn't matter when you've got the moves of a God or you're a little bit two-left-footed. With practice and dedication you'll soon get into the swing of things and, the most important thing, you'll have a ball doing it!

There are hundreds of types of dance out there. You're bound to find one for you!

The current series of ‘Strictly’ is in the swing of things but it seems we still can’t stop speculating about the stars that might be on next year’s show – however distance that might seem! Unreality TV reported yesterday that national treasure, Barbara Windsor is keen to take part too! It could be all the more likely now that she has hung up her Peggy Mitchell costumes and waved goodbye to Eastenders. With more time on her hands, could everybody’s favourite actress be up for the next series then?

Well, Barbara Windsor has openly stated before that she would definitely be interested, having previously commented;

“I’ve been offered ‘Strictly…’ a few times. I thought about it for the first series but I had broken my ankle and my physio told me not to do it.”

However, we’re sorry to disappoint you but she wno’t be appearing in a series. It seems the 73 year old actress feels “too old” for a full series but may grace our screens for a one off special, adding;

“Now I’m too old. It’s very physical and because I’m a perfectionist I would wear myself out. Maybe we should do an old folks one, with people like me, ‘EastEnders’ stars June Brown (Dot Cotton) and Pam St Clement (Pat Butcher) and some of the ‘Coronation Street’ girls in their 60s and 70s. I would definitely be up for that.”

Are you reading this, Strictly bosses? Now that’s a show we’d love to see!

George Sampson shot to fame a couple of years ago on much loved reality TV show, Britain's Got Talent. Having failed to make it to the live shows on his first attempt, aged just 13, George came back a year later and not only made it to the live shows, but won the whole competition.

That saw to it that he got a place in the following year's Royal Variety Performance and led to more dance (and even acting) opportunities than he might have dreamed when he was rehearsing his street dance moves in his terraced house back garden.

But George's story is one of talent. He started dancing as a youngster, committing his Saturdays to hitting the streets of Warrington and Manchester, where he would dance to make a few quid to subsidise further lessons.

What a great inspiration the young dancer is for those aspiring for similar success. Check out George's stunning semi-final performance from Britain's Got Talent below.

Youtube has proven a global phenomenon for sharing videos. The most popular videos range from “talking” dogs through to music videos. Bloggers, celebrities and animals have all enjoyed massive success.

But the video most widely regarded as Youtube’s most popular is a video based around, you guessed it... DANCE!

The Evolution of Dance is a video uploaded to the video sharing giant in April 2006. Since then it has enjoyed more than (as of October 2010) 155 MILLION views!

The video is a “dance” performance of sorts by comedian Judson Laipply. It shows him dancing (completely differently) to snippets of various musical styles ranging from Elvis right through to Kung Foo Fighting!

What this does demonstrate, albeit in a hugely comedic way, is just how diverse and hugely entertaining dance can be! A really thoroughly enjoyable video!

Marie Curie Cancer Care will host a number of dance events towards the end of this year to raise money for the charity.

What a wonderful idea and one that has even been endorsed by 'Strictly's' Anton Du Beke.

The way it works is that people pay £15 to register for the event and must then raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. The events themselves involve industry professionals teaching participants 4 styles. In between styles, they'll be entertained watching the professionals perform.

By way of a grand finale, hundreds and hundreds of participants will gather to perform a professionally choereographed routine.

The events invite any skill level to take part and we certainly think it's a fabulous way to get everyone moving and raising money for a great, great cause.

The events will take place in:-

Belfast - 7th November 2010
Nottingham - 7th November 2010
Manchester - 14th November 2010
London - 14th November 2010
Aberdeen - 21st November 2010
Cardiff - 21st November 2010
Glasgow - 28th November 2010
Leeds - 28th November 2010


Get more details from the Marie Curie website's 'Chance to Dance,' page.

The X Factor is in full flow at the moment, with the Boot Camp stages being broadcast this weekend. Unlike in previous years, however, this year’s boot camp included a dance session with Brian Friedman. It certainly made for interesting watching.

Brian Friedman, for anyone not familiar with his, is the show’s ‘Creative Director,’ and famous dancer and choreographer. But his TV career first began when he choreographed two season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ He’s been dancing since the age of 11 and by the age of 16 was in charge of his own studio. So he’s certainly qualified to put the X Factor contestants through
their paces!

The dance session at boot camp was met with mixed reactions by the contestants, with some thoroughly relishing the opportunity and others less so! Contestant, Zain, who had no previous experience was so unimpressed by the session that he initially refused to take part, while Irish Mary, one of the older contestants, struggled by seemed to thoroughly enjoy every moment.

A singing contest it is, primarily. Of course! But the dance is a massively important element of it, particularly for those who make it to the live show stage of the X Factor and will have to perform live every Saturday. The stage presence and ability to become an all round entertainer are incredibly important attributed. So while this show might not offer as much dance as ‘Strictly,’ you’ll certainly see some great choreography!

There's no denying that we're all going dance crazy. From ballroom to breakdance, Jazz to Tap, Ballet to Belly and everything in between, we simply love to dance or to watch others dancing.

And it seems that even President Obama and his wife, Michelle enjoy indulging in the art form too. In fact, this is so much the case that Michelle Obama has just announced plans for the "White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jameson," which will celebrate dance in all its beauty.

The event will honour Jameson, a former dancer and artistic director and will feature an impressive line up of dance acts. Someof the major and celebrated New York Dance teams such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the New York City Ballet and the cast of Broadway's version of 'Billy Elliot the Musical.' They will line up alongside West Coast Hip Hop Dance Group, 'Cr3w,' and Washington DC's, 'Washington Ballet.'

It is widely thought that this will be the first in a number of events - largely rumoured as this is referred to as a "series." Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get Downing Street on board for a UK equivalent?

It's an amazing opportunity for dance groups to get some much needed and much welcomed RECOGNITION!

The 2 day Pier Head dance festival took place last week by the River Mersey in Liverpool and attracted a broad range dance acts and spectators alike. The festival showcased creative dance in its almost infinite diversity and saw members of the city's Chinese community take to the stage,as well as a number of other acts.

The idea of this event was to showcase the city's waterfront and the development that has taken place in that particular area. However, all eyes were on the acts, rather than their backdrop, particularly when an Argentine aerial dance act took their turn to wow the crowds.

Dance is one of the most diverse activities you can possibly watch or take part in and this was highlighted once again with the festival in Liverpool. Whether it's aerial dance, jazz dance, tap or pole dancing, the diverse nature of dance is what makes it truly an activity for absolutely everybody.

Is it really any wonder then, that so many Brits are donning their dance shoes and getting moving??

Six schools from the Basingstoke area enjoyed a treat at a recent multi-cultural festival when 130 of their students were given five hours of professional dance tuition.

The chosen pupils were offered dance classes by the Salisbury based dance school, WiseMoves Dance Company. The school children were taught Bollywood, Chinese Dancing, Samba Fusion, African, Hip Hop and Street Dance. They then showed off their moves in a show for parents and teachers.
This is just another example of yet another application of dance. Here, the diversity of dance was used to educate children on cultural differences in an animated, fun and engaging way.

It was a roaring success, with organiser, Mark Wright, commenting that;
“The feedback was phenomenal. We are hoping next year to do something even bigger and better. It’s important in a community such as Winklebury to bring everyone together.”

The hope is that the success of this year’s event could open it up to become an annual thing. Let’s hope so... yet another wonderful yearly event on the dance calendar.

The blogosphere is immense. Think of any topic in the world and there’s a good chance that there’s a blog already on it. But what a superb platform for finding and sharing information. No longer are we restricted to the traditional media outlets, but suddenly we can hear anyone’s opinions on almost anything. This applies to the world of dance as well. There are countless blogs out there by dancers or about dance that offer an insight that the traditional media outlets might not be able to. Here are five we think are certainly worth a read:-

1. 4 Dancers

This is a blog by Catherine L Tully who has been involved in dance for more than thirty years. She is currently the Outside Europe representative for the UK National Dance Teachers Association. The blog hosts features and interviews with figures from the dance world.

2. Dance Advantage

This is a really comprehensive source of information for keen dancers, their parents and even teachers. A super host of resources plus the opportunity for other keen dance bloggers to submit their posts for consideration too. This is an interactive community blog.

3. The Faster Times Dance Section

Particularly good for keeping up with what's on in the world of dance, from performance reviews to news. The Faster Times has a dance section contributed to by some great writers and is certainly worth a read.

4. Reflections on Dance

This is a great blog by choreographer, Aynsley Vandenbroucke. From thoughts and musings on dance to reviews and overviews of various performances, it is clear the writing here comes from someone incredibly passionate about the art of dance.

5. Let's Go Dancing

A UK based blog, this one isn't as frequently updated as some of the others, but nonetheless features a host of interesting and entertaining posts. Always relevant and relating to something happening in the here and now, this blog also makes use of embedded Youtube for a multimedia user experience.

So that's five of the blogs that we love. What about you guys? Do you blog dance?

It seems Street Dance isn't only a means of getting your heart rate going, but is now also being used to deal with badly behaved school boys.

Mid Calder Primary School in West Lothian is taking an alternative approach to dealing with bad behaviour. They've brought in break dancing lessons! The better the boys behave, the more time they have to spend break dancing.

The Deputy Head Mistress spoke to Sky News about the initiative;

"The scheme has developed their skills, their teamwork, their cooperation and their attitude has improved as well. They're very enthusiastic."

Street Dance and Break Dance are particularly "cool" forms of dance, proving even more so with dance groups like, 'Diversity,' experiencing masses of mainstream success and limelight. It's a great means of exercise and a superb alternative for children to sitting in front of the TV!

Seems like a pretty great idea! Perhaps schools up and down the country could benefit...

What with the recent Duchess of York scandal, you might expect Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson not to be feeling so great right now. But it seems in fact that the Duchess is actually well and truly in the mood for dancing!

She reveals to US magazine, Inside Edition, that she would simply love to star on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ It seems her motives aren’t about the lucrative sum these stars get paid either, but more about the fact that she would like someone to ‘teach her to tango.’

The US hit TV show, based on British hit series, ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ just ended for this year, with Nicole Scherzinger winning. The former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls was a firm favourite from the outset having had bags of dance experience before the show.

The show attracted millions of prime time viewers and remains a firm favourite with the American audience. Fergie, we’re sure, isn’t the only star keen to don their dancing shoes and take part. But Fergie, why not come back to Britain and Tango? We’re convinced plenty of people would love to see Sarah strutting her stuff on ‘Strictly’ this Autumn!

Well, whether Fergie joins the celebs on this side of the pond or not this Autumn, we're sure there are a few million people awaiting the beginning!

We've seen dance take over our TV and now it's set to smash onto the big screen too! 'Streetdance 3D,' is a British made film, in fact the first 3D feature to be made outside the USA.

It tells the story of a group of street dancers who, in exchange for access to rehearsal space, are forced to include a group of ballet dancers in their routine for the UK Street Dance Championships. With limited time to prepare and a lot of conflict between the two groups the pressure's on for the dancers to find a way to create a fusion between ballet and street dance. Of course, we wouldn't want to spoil it for you, so we'll say no more than that but the Premiere in London this week certainly got people talking and the first reviews that are emerging are positive.

The flick features some familiar faces too, including Britain's Got Talent winners, George Sampson and Diversity as well as finalists, Flawless.

This film puts both Street Dance and British cinema firmly in the spotlight and seems to feed our ever growing hunger for dance, dance and more dance and small screen and in cinemas alike.

It will be in cinemas nationwide from May 21st. Want to know more? The official website is http://www.streetdancethemovie.co.uk

If you haven't managed to catch any of the BBC's new 'Over the Rainbow' series, then you're missing out! In the show, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his judging panel are searching for a new Dorothy to take to the stage in the West End Production of the 'Wizard of Oz.'

But even if you're not one of the fortunate few with a chance of landing this role, that doesn't mean you can't get in the swing of things! We've put together a great range to get you feeling all 'Dorothy.'

From our Ruby glitter effect low heel tap shoe with fitted toe taps (Available in sizes: UK 5 (Euro 21.5) - UK 8 (Euro 42) from £17.95)....



To this ladies short cap sleeve suqare neck Dreamer Leotard from Bloch (Available in sizes small, medium and large in red from £18.95)...



To a simply fabulous hologram effect with fitted heel taps and fitted toe taps (Available from children's size 7 right through to adult size 8 small, with half sizes available from 9.5. From £12.95)....



In fact, we stock a complete range of dancewear from many of the major labels. Take a look at our complete range!

Want to keep up to date with our new products and promotions? Register at the top of the page!

Britain's Got Talent hits UK screens again tonight for the opening episode of the fourth series.

What separates this show from the many similar open televised audition shows is the number of dancers it attracts. While X Factor is dedicated to showcasing the singers of the world, Britain's Got Talent is open to literally anyone with ANY talent and attracts scores of dancers and dance groups each year and the dancers frequently do well. In fact in two of the three previous series, the winner was a dancer or dance group. George Sampson was a dynamic young street dancer and last year's winners, dance group, Diversity, have proven incredibly popular.

Their unique style, imaginative choreography and perfectly executed moves made for a stunning performance in their opening audition, leaving judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan amazed. They were a hit with audience too, continuing to astonish through the semis and the final too. The voting public eventually made them the winners, beating hotly tipped favourite, singer Susan Boyle.

The group have since performed at the Royal Variety Show and a number of venues around the country and have a growing number of fans. Their approach to dance was modern, exciting and fresh, begging the question, can any of this year’s dancers top that this year?

London’s ‘Move It,’ dance festival proved once again this year that London is the place to be to celebrate the diversity of dance. And in keeping with this ethic, Honey Kalaria (who is best known for her role as a choreographer on ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’) has announced an exciting dance contest. The Bollywood Dance Championships will take an X-Factor style format and will be an amazing opportunity for Bollywood style dancers to win an excellent prize of £30,000 worth of tuition and a very real opportunity to land roles in film and stage productions.

Kalaria has her own dance school in London and wants to encourage dancers of all backgrounds to take part in the Bollywood Championships, saying, “The idea is to encourage people from all dance genres and cultural backgrounds to participate and compete: Indian Classical to Bhangra; Salsa to Belly dancing, right through to Hip Hop and Street.”

Bollywood is a spectacularly colourful form of dance, incorporating traditional dance styles from India with Western dance – with consistently spectacular results!

The auditions kick off in London in April and there will be further heats for those who make it past the judges in May, with the final stages scheduled for later in the year. The competition is divided into four age categories, catering to 4 – 7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, 13 – 17 years old and then the over 18s. Full entry conditions and audition schedules are available from the Desitara website.

The Dance Champions group was put together in October 2009 at the request of the Secretary of State for Health. Its aim is simple – get 100,000 people dancing as a regular activity. The website, www.dancechampions.org is an excellent place to find out more about dance related activities taking place in each region. It lets dance providers upload details of events they are holding and allows the public to view all these.

But the concept is more than just a resource for event listings. In February, the group held a Summit, which included a cross section of industry professionals, which looked at barriers to dance. What stops people from getting involved? Is access to dance related activities good enough for everyone? Can everyone, irrespective of age or ability, access a dance activity suitable for them?
The findings of this summit will be used to improve access to dance for everyone. The site will grow to show a massive range of events and from Autumn of this year, the Dance Champions Group will be actively supporting a key dance event in every single region. They’ll be seeking out volunteers closer to the time to help with this.

It seems there is no better time to try and get Britain grooving! The popularity of dance in TV shows and in the media is unprecedented and the British health authorities have recognised this as an opportunity to encourage us all to don our dance shoes and get active.

You can get involved with Dance Champions group by submitting your listings, or if you’re not a provider, by encouraging dance providers to submit their listings. You will also be able to volunteer to help run key events closer to Autumn or get involved simply by turning up and getting dancing. Remember, the group wants AT LEAST 100,000 of us to dance regularly - you can be one of the,.

It seems we can’t turn on the TV these days without coming across an offering of something dance related. Since 'Strictly Come Dancing,' won the hearts of the British public and its US counterpart did the same stateside, more people are pulling on their dance shoes. And it seems the explosion in popularity of dance is set to infiltrate the movie scene too!

MTV’s second original film, ‘Turn the Beat Around,’ produced solely for broadcast on the small screen, hits the television sets around the USA today with a scheduled DVD release date of 9th March.

The film tells the story of 21 year old Zoe, who works in a shop while working towards her real dream of being a professional disco dancer. Struggling to make herself known on the dance scene in Los Angeles, Zoe and others seeking out the same, set out to get themselves seen on LA’s disco club circuit.

There’s a back story to the plot too, as it emerges that Zoe’s Mother too wanted to be a professional dancer. Instead, however, she now works in a call centre and is married to a less than likeable chap. This of course makes Zoe ever the more determined to succeed to fulfil both Mother and Daughter’s dream.

The film has a cast that includes musician, Jason Derulo, who plays a pop star seeking out the next big thing in dance and if the reviews are anything to go by, features some incredible contemporary disco routines. David Hinckley of the NY Daily News says the dance scenes, ‘Inspire some of the best scenes in the movie.’

Fans of disco music might also be pleased to know that the soundtrack promises to be a modern take on some of the great disco classics and has been well received!

However, as there’s no UK screening date available for MTV viewers, it might be a case of those of us on this side of the Atlantic waiting for the DVD release. Fortunately, that’s only a couple of weeks away!

London’s annual MOVE IT dance festival kicks off in just four weeks (12th March) at the capital’s Olympia Grand Hall. The three day festival is the UK’s biggest such event and promises to be even bigger and better this year. 100 acts will take to the stage to give a live performance, including Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Flawless. There will also be 300 classes, over 20 master classes, 180+ exhibitors and an estimated 20000 visitors! That’s a whole lot going on under one roof.

What’s more exciting is that the new face of MOVE IT is Strictly Come Dancing professional, Erin Broag. Erin is the only professional to have featured in every single series of the BBC hit TV show and she’s certainly excited about fronting MOVE IT, saying that, “Thanks to the success of TV dancing shows the general public has a huge appetite for dance and it’s great to be involved in MOVE IT, which will encourage even more people to don their dancing shoes.’

MOVE IT is the pinnacle of dance festivals in Britain and will showcase all variations, proving itself to be a real celebration of the diversity of dance. And there’s a chance for performers to showcase themselves too. The ‘Get on Stage’ competition will offer acts the opportunity to compete in front of some pretty tough judges, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes of £1500, £1000 and £500 respectively. Add this to the exclusive auditioning opportunities that the event organisers promise and it looks to be something of an unmissable affair for dance fanatics, pros and hobbyist dancers alike.

You can find the official MOVE IT website at http://www.moveitdance.co.uk/ where you’ll be able to check out ticket prices and get a full line up of performances and exhibitors. Certainly one not to be missed.

We’ve been crazy about ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ since its UK TV debut back in 2004. In fact, the show is credited with increasing the uptake of dance here, with dance schools up and down the UK reporting surges in registrations during and immediately following each series. ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ the US show based on the hit BBC show, has caused a similar effect on the other side of the Atlantic too.

And they’re not daft, at the BBC! The ongoing and consistent success of ‘Strictly,’ proved to bosses that the combination of reality TV and dance is a winning one with the British public. And no sooner had the seventh series of the hit show finished in December 2009, when the BBC launched another dance related reality show. ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ is based on the US show of the same name, which has been running in the States since 2005. The first series started in January 2010, less than a month after the ‘Strictly,’ final. Presented by Cat Deeley, who has also presented the US version since the second series, the show invited both amateur and professional dancers alike to audition. While the first in the series introduced some of the auditionees, the focus is those who made it to the final 14. Each of the finalists performs a routine alone and as a part of a pair each Saturday, with a female and male participant eliminated weekly. Unlike ‘Strictly,’ no celebrities are involved. Over 6 million of us tuned in for the opening show and it looks set to prove a hit with UK audiences.

The British public’s love affair with dance continues to grow, something again attributed to media coverage of the various dance forms and a growing number of dance related TV shows.

Welcome to the Dancewear Central blog. Dancewear Central is a one stop shop for all your dancewear needs, stocking the biggest brands in the business. And just as the e-store is big on brands, the blog is big on news from the dance scene internationally. The Dancewear Central blog is the blog to read for news, reviews, thoughts and up to date information on dance.