Freedom 2 Dance students will join the PRIDE party in Leeds on a special float, that will be part of the main parade. Teachers and students have worked hard to reach the £5k goal needed to have a float of their own.
Morley Glass, as one of the main sponsors of the dance school, will be honoured with their logo emblazoned on the t-shirts that students will be wearing for the event.
Students and staff will be on board the float that will tour the city centre for the carnival parade at the annual LGBT+ festival on Sunday 6th August.
This will be the first time Freedom 2 Dance has entered a float in its own right in the Pride parade with support from the Friends of Freedom 2 Dance, the schools not-for-profit fundraising arm. The Friends of F2D group was set up in 2018 to enable the school to raise funds transparently in order to help them achieve their aim of making dance accessible to all.
Inclusivity and diversity are two key aspects that the Dance School owners consider focal to their success story. Freedom 2 Dance was launched 8 years ago by Laura Jaggar and Michelle Dickinson.
Laura comments, “PRIDE and the LGBTQ+ community align with our values at Freedom 2 Dance as we believe that dancing should be available to everyone.
It is not just about learning to dance, but incorporates building self-belief, boosting confidence and provides a safe place to enjoy the socialising aspects associated with learning a real skill. The F2D School wants to encourage people to be themselves, in a safe and healthy environment.”
50 dancers together with their teachers, will perform on the float as the carnival parade passes through Leeds.
Michelle comments, ”We want everyone to see how much fun dancing can be and that anyone can give it a go. We have been practicing our routines and have 2 full days planned to rehearse the routines. We are all so excited to be part of the PRIDE event with the students looking forward to performing, waving to the crowds and just having a really good time on the day.”
Ian Short, Managing Director at Morley Glass comments, “To be involved with such diverse and inclusive talent is so rewarding for everyone, particularly the students; but more than that it also reflects how the wider community can come together to enjoy the medium of dance whilst also celebrating the differences anyone can bring to a performance. It will be wonderful to see the dancers enjoying themselves by helping to spread such a positive message during this equality and diversity-themed event.”
Freedom 2 Dance is an outstanding dance school based in Castleford, WestYorkshire. Since opening in 2015 F2D has quickly evolved into one of the areas most diverse and successful dance schools, where children and adults can learn to dance.
Find out more about the Freedom 2 Dance school via the website:
www.freedom2dance.co.uk
