Young and old get Strictly fever!
Young Strictly Inverness 2011 hopefuls (from left) Aidan Waite (9) from Cawdor; Abi Smith (6) from Allanfearn; and Tai Wilson (9) from Raigmore, with instuctor Tristain Hill. Picture: Gary Anthony
WANNABE dancers hoping to trip the light fantastic in a charity dance contest turned out in force to audition for the glittering event.
And they now have an anxious wait to find out if they have been picked for Strictly Inverness, which is being held for a second year to raise money for Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Centre.
Tristian Hill, the lead dance instructor who will be putting the successful dancers through their paces, said: “We had an excellent response to the Strictly auditions from all ages.
“Despite the terrible weather, lots of people made it safely down to see us and we would like to thank everyone for making a fantastic effort to come and find out all about next year’s event.
“We only wish we could let everybody participate – deciding on the final contestants is not going to be easy.”
The three-day extravaganza, backed by the Highland News, will take place in May and for the first time will also include a special event for junior participants.
This year’s event raked in a whopping £24,000.
Wendy Clark, Highland Hospice communications officer, said she was delighted with the turnout at the Ice Centre where the auditions were held on Thursday.
“The response to our auditions has been amazing,” she said. “Strictly Inverness is definitely growing arms and legs. Despite it being a busy time of year and amidst awful weather conditions, people made a real effort, battling through the snow to get to the Ice Centre.
“It’s clear that a variety of people of all ages from the Inverness area are really keen to participate.”
She added: “Our panel interviewed lots of really great potential dancers and are now faced with the tough choice of deciding who’s going to be in next year’s line-up.
“The excitement is really building here at the hospice and we just can’t wait to meet all our dancers and let preparations commence in the new year!”
Hopefuls were not asked to dance at the auditions but were instead interviewed by a panel which included Tristian Hill, of Toe2Toe, and Nicky Mackay, of Step ‘n’ Style, who will train the dancers.
They were joined by Jane Fraser, of Inverness Ice Centre, event organiser Michael Green and James Fraser, one of last year’s participants and a steering group member.
