All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

BBC Strictly’s Dianne Buswell hints at major career change: ‘I have other ambitions’.

 

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell hinted that a major career change could be in sight as she opened up about her “other ambitions” away from the BBC dance show.

Dianne Buswell revealed that she could explore a brand-new career away from Strictly Come Dancing. The flame-haired dancer has been a part of the BBC family for eight years but has shared that she would like to explore “other ambitions”.

The Australian-born star, 34, said in a new interview: “It’ll be my eighth year of Strictly next year and I’ve been so lucky with all my partners. They’ve all brought something different, and you learn a lot from each person.

“But I have other ambitions, too. I’ve always wanted to dip into acting, so I’d like to try and explore that,” she added to Heat Magazine.

Aside from Strictly Come Dancing, Dianne has also appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Australia, Dancing With The Stars and Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof in 2022.

Reflecting on her time on the BBC One show, Dianne told the aforementioned outlet: “I’ve become obsessed with cold water therapy and recently bought an ice bath. When I’m at home, it’s a part of my morning routine, even in the cold. It’s hard at first but once you’re in there, it feels exhilarating.

“My eyes have really opened up to the benefits – when you’re controlling your breathing and steadying your thoughts, it gives you resilience in the morning.”

Prior to becoming a professional dancer, Dianne was a hairdresser and even had a BBC Sounds podcast called Di’s Salon. The 2021 series saw her chat to her famous friends about the hairstyles they had over the years.

She also began her successful YouTube channel in 2019, which was named as the UK’s most-subscribed new YouTuber of the year. At the time of writing, the channel has 269,000 subscribers.

It comes after Dianne addressed her family plans with her boyfriend Joe Sugg. The couple have been in a relationship since they were paired up on the 2018 series of Strictly.
She said that she hopes to have children in the future, but doesn’t have any immediate plans to have a baby.

She told Media Press: “I think definitely for sure at one point we’ll have children. It’s something we’d both love, but we don’t know when just yet.

“We always say our kids are going to watch YouTube videos of us dancing one day, and that’s so cool!”

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Former Royal Ballet principal to offer free dance training to schoolchildren..

Children at a primary school in Leeds are to receive a year’s free ballet training from a former Royal Ballet principal dancer.

More than 20 year five and six pupils at Little London Community Primary School in Leeds will be taught by Martin Howland twice a week, with equipment including ballet shoes also provided without charge.

The scheme is led by non-profit, community interest company Project Resurgence, which offers dance opportunities to those who may have encountered barriers including socio-economic obstructions.

Howland, who uses social media platforms including TikTok to promote “bringing ballet into the 21st century”, runs Project Resurgence alongside ex-professional dancer and secondary school educator Kay Reardon and sports scientist Tim Jarrett, of the University of Leeds.

The most recent programme, known as Project Beta, follows the organisation’s 2022 initiative Project Alpha, which saw two 15-year-old students receive free and bespoke ballet training for a year. Both beneficiaries later received formal offers to study at professional dance colleges.

Howland said: “We founded Project Resurgence with one clear mission: to revolutionise ballet training. Our vision is a world where ballet is no longer seen as an exclusive art form, but, instead, as an inclusive discipline that nurtures healthier, happier and better-educated young people.

“We view ballet as a gateway to personal transformation – developing not just dance skills, but also building life skills such as resilience, confidence and communication. We’re focused on empowering pupils for bright futures in the arts and beyond, building on their key strengths of creativity, artistry, discipline and strength.”

He continued: “Project Resurgence is all about breaking down barriers – whether these are financial barriers or harmful stereotypes that prevent children from experiencing ballet – and making ballet diverse, accessible and inclusive for every individual.”

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice thrills fans with ‘best news’ as he makes ‘exciting’ announcement weeks after series ended.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has thrilled fans by sharing the ‘best news’ with his fans and followers weeks after the latest series came to an end. The dancer appeared during the final of the BBC One dance contest earlier following his unexpected exit from the Strictly 2023 series.

While there is no news yet as to whether he’ll be back for another stint in the ballroom in 2024, Giovanni is continuing to keep himself busy as not only is he preparing for his next tour, with Strictly co-star Lauren Oakley back as his ‘leading lady’, but he’s also teamed up with fellow dancer and choreographer Pasquale La Rocca to create their new venture.

While the pair have been running dance classes together for a while, they’re taking their skills on the road and have named their joint venture Ballando. Announcing the news alongside a video on their new business page as well as their individual Instagram accounts, they wrote: “BALLANDO. We love the fact that so many of you want to dance with us, and we’ve seen and heard all the requests for more locations… so here you go!

“BALLANDO ON TOUR! We’re so excited to take classes on the road with Let Me Entertain You, and can’t wait to dance with you in your hometowns.” They went on to reveal they’ll be visiting the likes of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham with the dates running from the end of January to the start of May.

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Mean Girls musical movie announces soundtrack plans and featured numbers.

The Mean Girls musical movie has confirmed which numbers have successfully made it from stage to screen.

The new flick – which is based on the Broadway show, which is based on the cult classic movie, which is based on a novel – will be released in the UK on 17 January 2024.

Angourie Rice (Spiderman: Far From Home) will play Cady, with Auli’i Cravalho (Moana in Moana) as Janice, and Jaquel Spivey (leading star in A Strange Loop on Broadway) as Damian. Returning from the original film will be Tina Fey (Ms Norbury) and Tim Meadows (Principal Duval).

A new, final trailer has been released:

Renée Rapp, who played the role of Regina George on Broadway, will now play the role on screen. Joining them are Avantika (Senior Year) as Karen, with Bebe Wood (Love, Victor) as Gretchen – rounding out the famous trio of “Plastics”.

Also cast is Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty), playing love interest Aaron, alongside Jenna Fischer (The Office), set to play Cady’s Mom Mrs Heron, while Busy Philips (White Chicks) will play Regina’s Mom Mrs George.

Numbers set to feature in the film are as follows:

“A Cautionary Tale” – Aulili Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey
“What Ifs” – Angourie Rice
“Meet The Plastics” – Reneé Ropp
“Stupid With Love” – Angourie Rice and the cast of Mean Girls
“Apex Predator” Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey
“What’s Wrong With Me?” Bebe Wood
“Sexy” – Avantika
“Someone Gets Hurt” – Reneé Rapp
“Revenge Party” – Auli’i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Angourie Rice, Tim Meadows and the cast of Mean Girls
“World Burn” – Reneé Rapp and the cast of Mean Girls
“I’d Rather Be Me” – Auli’i Cravalho and the cast of Mean Girls
“I See Stars” – Angourie Rice and the cast of Mean Girls
“Not My Fault” – Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion

The film’s soundtrack is being released next Friday, 12 January 2024.

Numbers seemingly excised from the film include “It Roars”, “Where Do You Belong”, “Fearless”, “Stop”, “Whose House Is This?”, “More Is Better” and “Do This Thing”.

For UK fans of the show who may want to see all its stage numbers in full, the production will have its opening in June 2024 at the Savoy Theatre, with tickets on sale now.

Fey also mentioned in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the team had to convince Paramount Pictures that a new film would be a good idea, emphasising the difference in form and tone. Rice understood that, ultimately, there will be a lot of Broadway enthusiasts keenly anticipating the film’s take: “Musical theatre fans are so dedicated and passionate – in a way that is frightening – I am a huge musicals fan myself, so I know there’s a big responsibility.”

Also involved is Ashley Park (Emily in Paris) and Jon Hamm (Mad Men). Directorial team Arturo Perez Jr and Samantha Jayne are the new movie’s directors. Mean Girls marks the pair’s first full-length feature, though they’ve done a whole wad of exciting material across the film, music video and television space, including the much-lauded Quarter Life Poetry.

The film is overseen by producers Paramount Players alongside Lorne Michaels and Fey. Fey has penned the script, with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Kyle Hanagami choreographs.

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General News & Sighting

• Solange Urdang was made an OBE in the New Years Honours List.
• Nancy and Jamie Borthwick won the Christmas Strictly Special. Jenny Thomas and Sean Moon choreographed the closing routine.
• Oti Mabuse announced the birth of her first child, a baby girl, on Christmas Day.
• Joanne Clifton released her first album, “Like Nobody’s Watching”, which sold out on its first day on Amazon.
• Current and former staff at Bird College have complained of a “culture of fear” under the drama school’s management. The school has strongly denied the accusations made against it. (The Stage) 
• The Guardian listed its 5 best dance shows of 2023:1/ Song of Songs.
  2/ Find your eyes.
  3/ Untitled for the Royal Ballet.
  4/ Romeo and Juliet by Sir Matt Bourne.
  5/ Turn It Out with Tiler Peck.
• Graham Watts listed the 12 dance shows that had the most impact:1/ Nothing Personal by Alan Lucien for the Norwegian Ballet.
  2/ The Sacrifice by Dada Masilo.
  3/ Si, Quiero by Mercedes de Cordoba.
  4/ Message In A Bottle by Kate Prince.
  5/ Light of Passage by Crystal Pite.
  6/ Exodus by Anna Hop and Bieguni-Harnasie.
  7/ Nutcracker by Drew McOnie.
  8/ Peaky Blinders by Benoit Swan Pouffer and Stephen Knight.
  9/ Conflicted Beauty – a triple bill performed by Sarasota Ballet.
  10/ Swan – A different story by Yabin Wang.
  12/ The Mongol Kha
• The 2024 UK Open Dance Festival will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre from the 16th – 21st of January.
• Christopher Powney is to step down as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet School after 10 years in the position.
• Nigel Lythgoe has stepped down from the American show “So You Think You Can Dance” amid assault lawsuits.
• It was reported sadly that professional dancer Lousha Liddell had passed away.

Future Dance Events News

• Casting for the UK premiere of “Bhangra Nation” has been announced. It will star Zaynah Ahmed and Gregory Armand. The choreography is by Rujuta Vaidya and Rebecca Howell. The show will run at the Birmingham Rep from the 17th of February to the 16th of March 2024.
• The European premiere of “Your Lie in April” will take place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 8th & 9th of April 2024. It will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. The casting director is Harry Blumenau.
• Nick Winston will be directing the world premiere of the new musical “Wild About You” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 25th & 26th of March 2024. It will star Eric McCormack.
• “The Wizard of Oz” has confirmed the full cast for its tour of the UK and Ireland. The choreography is by Shay Barclay. The show will open in Liverpool on the 13th of December 2024.
• “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” has confirmed the initial casting for its 2024 West End transfer. It has choreography by Lynne Page and will run at the Gillian Lynne theatre from the 8th of February 2024.
• Nick Winston and Ryan Lee Seager will be directing and choreographing the world premiere of “Burlesque The Musical” – which has Christina Aguilera as an Executive Director. The show will open at the Manchester Opera House on the 13th of June 2024.
• “Clueless The Musical” will have a developmental run at the Churchill theatre in Bromley from the 12th – 24th of February 2024.
• “Mean Girls” is coming to the Savoy Theatre in June 2024.
• A touring musical version of “101 Dalmations” will open in Wimbledon on the 22nd of June 2024.
• “& Juliet” will embark on a UK tour from the 8th of July 2024. The choreographer is Jennifer Weber.
• “The Devil Wears Prada” has confirmed its West End run and UK premiere. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and be cast by Jill Green. The show will open in Plymouth on the 9th of July 2024.
• “Bonnie and Clyde The Musical” has announced the initial cast and tour dates for 2024. Katie Tonkinson will star as Bonnie Parker.
• “Starlight Express” is to return to London in the Summer of 2024. It will be choreographed by Ashley Nottingham.
• The world premiere of the new British musical “Cable Street” is to open at the Southwark Playhouse on the 16th of February 2024. The choreography is by Melody Sinclair.
• “Some Like It Hot” is coming to the West End in 2025. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
• Full casting has been revealed for the first UK and Ireland tour of “Aladdin”. Gavin Adams will star with Desmonda Cathabel as Jasmine. Sarah Benbelaid is the Assistant Dance Captain. The show will open in Edinburgh in October.
• The 2024 Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender has announced its line up led by: Natalie Imbruglia, Cascada and Gabrielle.
• “Shucked” will open in the West End in 2024. The choreographer is Sarah O’Gleby.
• “Come From Away” announced a UK and Ireland tour beginning in Leicester on the 1st of March 2024. The production is being cast by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher. The choreography is by Tara Wilkinson and Kirsty Malpas with Richard Hinds. The Dance Captain is Angeline Bell.
• “Hadestown” will open at the Lyric Theatre in the West End on the 10th of February 2024. The choreographer is David Neumann.
• The new musical “Starter for Ten” will premiere in Bristol next year at the Old Vic theatre from the 29th of February until the 30th of March 2024.
• “The King And I” will return to the West End in early 2024 starring Helen George and Darren Lee.
• “Sister Act – The Musical” will return to the Dominion theatre in the West End on the 15th of March 2024. It will star Beverley Knight and Alexandra Burke. The choreography is by Alistair David.
• The lead cast has been unveiled for “We Will Rock You” opening in the West End. It will star Lee Mead and Brenda Edwards.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” will tour the UK in 2023/4 opening in Manchester this September. The choreography is by Drew McOnie.

Auditions & Vacancies

• There is an open call audition for “Fangirls” at the Lyric Theatre in London on the 27th of January. The deadline for submissions is the 8th of January 2024. You can apply at: http://www.lyric.co.uk/fangirls-open-call-auditions/
• Pearson Casting is auditioning for dancers on the 12th of January 2024 in London – by appointment only. For more details visit: http://www.pearsoncasting.com/nclh
• P & O Cruises has an open audition for dancers on the 16th of January at Danceworks in London. Registration is from 9.00 am
• Bird College is looking for a Musical Theatre tutor with knowledge and experience in directing and choreography in a range of styles to work on Thursdays. See the college website for more details. Closes on the 9th of January 2024.
• “Spirit of the Dance” is having an open audition in Leeds on the 10th of December. You can register your interest at: dinah@spiritartists.com
• Auditions are now open for the London Studio Centre Teneisha Bonner Scholarship. See the LSC website for more details.
• Thrive Dance is auditioning for female dancers on the 7th of February at the Chisenhale Dance Space in London. For more details visit: http://www.thrivedance.co.uk
• Whitechapel Gallery is auditioning for Tango dancers to accompany the exhibition “Dreams Have No Titles”. Visit the website for more details.
• Ballet Cymru is holding auditions in Newport in January and February 2024. The deadline for applications is January 2024. For more details, contact: dariusjames@welshballet.co.uk

Dance Classes

• Dollie Henry has her Sunday Jazz Congregation at the Place in London on the 14th of January from 3.30 – 5.00 pm and on the 28th of January from 4.30 – 6.00 pm.
• Robin Windsor, Luke Miller, Grace Cinque-White and Alan Burkitt are raising funds for the Strictly Foundation with a dance workshop in London on the 25th of February from 11.00 am – 4.00 pm at the Dance Attic. You can book your place at: http://www.thestrictlyfoundation.com
• Lowri Beth Evans is teaching a Beginners Heels course at the Glow Up Studios in Cardiff for 4 weeks starting on the 9th of January from 7.00 – 8.00 pm.
• Nafisah Baba has a Choreo and Creation workshop at Danceworks in London on the 21st of January from 1.00 – 4.00 pm.
• Lukas McFarlane and Julia Spiesser have a Partnering workshop at the Manor in London on the 20th and 21st of January from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm each day.
• Hannah Cleeve has a new dance intensive for dancers aspiring to work professionally on the 21st – 23rd of February from 11.00 am – 5.00 pm at Flow Dance in Oval. For more information contact: hannahcleeve@outlook.com
• Tracey Iliffe has a Parisian Showgirl Technique class at Pineapple on the 16th of January from 12.00 – 1.30 pm.
• Lucy Jane Adcock has 2 weekly classes at the Base dance studios in London on Sundays at 11.30 am and on Wednesdays at 10.00 am.
• Christina Andrea has a Commercial Edge class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.
• Graziano di Prima and Giada Lini have a Latin dance class on the 14th of January at the Dance Attic studios in London (3.15 – 4.15 pm Cha Cha / 4.15 – 5.15 pm Paso Doble / 5.15 – 6.15 pm Salsa). You can book at: dancingwithgraz.com
• Graziano di Prima has The Big Salsa Dance to raise funds for Child Bereavement UK on the 16th of February at the AO Arena in Manchester.
• Beth Ackroyd is doing an Adult Ballet class at the Fresh Ground in Battersea on Thursdays from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm. You can contact Beth on: beth.lauren@live.com
• Daniela Fabbricatore is teaching an Advanced Lyrical class at Move It on the 17th of March at 2.15 pm.
• Josh Pilmore and Philip Birchall have a training day on the 14th of January at the Manor in London from 12.00 – 5.00 pm.
• Jordi Guitart will be teaching at Move It on the 16th of March at 3.30 pm.
• Weronika Wiktoria is starting a Street Jazz class every Monday at 5.30 pm at the Base dance studios with Ralitsa Chepisheva.
• Lil J is offering a sassy Commercial class at the Pineapple Dance Studios on Tuesdays at 4.15 pm. You can book on the Pineapple app.
• Amy Ireland is offering a Beginners Tap class at Pineapple Dance Studios on Fridays at 10.15 am and a Commercial Tap class on Mondays at 8.30 pm.
• Dominique Marinho is teaching a Beginners Heels class on Tuesdays at Pineapple Studios from 3.45 – 4.45 pm.
• Olivia Rose Shouler is doing a beginners choreography class on Wednesday from 7.00 – 8.25 pm at the Base Studios in London.
• Gemma Hoddy is giving a class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 5.30 – 6.55 pm.
• Nicolette Whitley is offering a dance class on Thursdays from 6.15 – 7.15 pm at the Inner Space in Nelwyn for £7. Reserve your space on: nicolettewhitley@outlook.com
• Emma Levene is offering a General Ballet Core and Stretch Contemporary class at Forest Gate Community School on Thursdays from 7.00 – 8.00 pm. Email to book: doubletwistdance@gmail.com
• Alexandre Novelli is offering a Beginners Commercial for Adults class every Tuesday at her Novelli Studios from 6.00 – 7.00 pm.

Film & TV

• “Barbie” won the first ever Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
• We spotted the following dancers in the Final of “The Voice”: Ashleigh Tavares, Robyn Laud, Nicole Hastings, Anya Ferdinand & Danny Coburn. The choreography was by Jerry Reeve and the contract was with Kutes.
• We spotted the following dancers on the “New Years Eve Big Bash” on ITV: Elliot Richardson, Colby Richardson, Summer Villiers & Charlotte Kate Anderson. The choreographers were Mark Jennings, Anders Nielsen, Billy Sawyer and Renae Hughes. The contract was with Mass Talent.
• We spotted Brogan Woods dancing with Akon.
• We spotted Aishwarya Raut performing at the Paris fashion show.
• We spotted Summer Villiers, Renae Hughes & Charlie Goddard in the “Masked Singer Christmas Special”. The choreography was by Claudimar Neto.
• We spotted the following dancers in ITV’s “The Winter King”: Kim Collicutt, Hattie Pearson, Holly Hanton, Jane Fowler, Ella Nonini & Shannon Paige Cox.
• We spotted Ashleigh Tavares performing with Jason Derulo in Australia.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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