Locals don their dancing shoes as Strictly returns

A dozen couples from throughout the borough are busy practicing their pirouettes as the grand return of Strictly Craigavon Dancing draws close.

Moyraverty Arts and Drama Society were the first group to run a local Strictly Dancing Competition back in April 2006. Since then they have organised another three, and this December Strictly Craigavon Dancing is back for a fifth show.

The show promises to be a spectacular night of dancing at the Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre.

Kieran Corr returns as the show’s producer - having produced it back in 2006 - which he is running for Moyraverty Arts and Drama Society. Speaking to the MAIL, Kieran said,

“We are delighted to be hosting this event again and the society thanks all the dancers who have agreed to perform in this year’s event. We have a fabulous venue for the gala night of dancing and in Claire McMahon we have one of the best local choreographers helping all the dance couples.

“We are delighted that Councillor Catherine Seeley, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, has agreed to take part in this year’s event. As a former deputy mayor of Craigavon, I have knowledge of the busy schedule that Catherine has and everyone at the society is delighted that she agreed to take part and help. The voluntary involvement of all our dancers is a major help to the all inclusive drama society and this is even more relevant when MADS! Strictly competition will probably be the first ever to have a same sex dance couple taking part.

“At MADS! we have always prided ourselves that everyone is welcome and the all male dance couple of Conor Douglas and Stephen Samuel Sherwin will certainly add to the entertainment value of the show. We have eight dance couples aged 18 and over and we also have four dance couples aged under 18 who come from eight different schools taking part. The extravaganza night of dancing will take place on Friday 11th December at the Craigavon Civie Centre at which all the dance couples will have to perform two dances. The first dance is a Cha Cha and the second dance from all the couples can be anything they want.”

Kieran added, “All the monies will help the drama society continue to be the top musical theatre drama group in Armagh who provide so much for the people of Craigavon and it will help them produce various shows for loads of children, teenagers and adults. These will include Their Enchanted Christmas Concert, Fame the Musical at Portadown Town Hall, Rock of Ages in Armagh Marketplace Theatre, Grease and Legally Blonde also at Portadown Town Hall Theatre. With a limited number of only 500 tickets available it is sure to be a sell-out.”

Strictly Craigavon Dancing takes place on Friday 11 December, with tickets now available from Print Business Supplies Lurgan, Greenes Nisa Local Brownlow Shopping Centre, Miss Mac Dance Studio Moores Lane Lurgan and any of the dance couples. Tickets cost £10 and can also be purchased via the MADS CRAIGAVON Facebook page.