TWO young ballroom stars who wowed Britain’s Got Talent audiences are helping launch a season of free dance classes at Stretford Mall.
Latin ballroom duo Lexie Joinson and Christopher Buttle, aged 11, are the faces of Stretford Mall’s ‘Little Stars’ dance programme run by King Street studio Topaz Dance.
The pair, who were semi-finalists in this year’s BGT show, will officially launch the first ever Little Stars holiday extravaganza at Stretford Mall on Thursday, August 9.
The BGT stars regularly drop in to practise at the Topaz Dance studio on King Street, next door to the shopping centre.
They will be joined by several Topaz Dance pupils, including Amelia Dryden, 14, from Sale, who is a national dance champion.
Topaz Dance pupil Amelia Dryden, 14, from Sale, is a national dance champion
Young wannabe dancers are invited to join the free lessons led by teachers from Topaz Dance, over four consecutive Thursdays starting on August 9, when Chris and Lexie will be demoing their moves.
Stretford Mall manager, Gareth Wilkinson, said: “We wanted to lay on something fun and exciting for children when they come to our Mall during the summer holidays.
“The enthusiasm of all ages for dance has really taken off in recent years and we thought it was absolutely the right way to go.
“What better way to keep children entertained, and help them learn some new skills at the same time which can take them hip-hopping and quick-stepping into the future?
“Who knows? We might even find some more potential superstars like Amelia, Chris and Lexie, right here on our doorstep!”
On each of the Thursdays there will be four dance workshops held at Stretford Mall, split into age groups, for: 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds and 8-12 year olds.
Chistopher Buttle and Lexie Joinson with Amelia Dryden and the Topaz Dance team
The fourth workshop will be a special session for party dancing for 3-8 year olds. There will also be a fifth ‘demonstration session’ featuring pupils of Topaz studio.
There will also be daily competitions in which youngsters achieving the fanciest footwork have the chance to win medals, and the top rated dancer of each day goes will go home with a voucher for four free Saturday morning sessions at the Topaz school.
Anyone wishing to join in the free lessons can simply turn up at the Mall on Thursday August 9, 16, 23 or 30.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here