Tapping into the rhythm of the music

Andrew Voerman
Dancers from Te Anau to Nelson will be on stage at the Timaru Tap and Jazz competition this weekend. Organiser and dance instructor Kaye Blackham says the event, which is one of two held in Timaru each year, is usually very, very popular but it would be great to see Timaru dance schools other than her own take part as well. About 150 dancers from throughout the South Island will take part in competitions over the weekend at the Timaru Girls High School hall. Members of the public are welcome to watch. A group of soloist dancers from Christchurch, who recently won age group awards in Los Angeles and Australia, will be among those performing. Performances start at 5pm today and go all day tomorrow and Sunday, with each dancer taking part in a variety of tap and jazz routines. Up for grabs will be medals and ribbons, prize money, sashes and trophies. The competition will be overseen by adjudicat0rs Jessica Crosbie, of Timaru, and Tania Bathan, of Auckland, who will be responsible for handing out special awards at the end of the weekend.

Strike a pose: Libby OConnor, 8, and Annabel Barge, 7, will compete in the Timaru Tap and Jazz competition this weekend. Photo by: JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ