I caught up with Michelle from Urban Dance Project (UDP) to discuss her exciting year so far and her forthcoming charity event on 19 August at Viva Showbar.
Q: Michelle, tell us a bit about UDP.
UDP was founded in 2012. I have always danced and, using my experience, I wanted to pass my knowledge onto young people. Urban Dance Project runs dance classes for all ages and abilities. We also specialise in training and preparing dancers who want a career in dance by providing masterclasses with top worldwide choreographers. We provide work and performance opportunities including dance, fashion shows, flashmobs and promotion.
Q: Can you tell us about your forthcoming charity event?
On Monday the 19th of August we will be hosting our very first charity event at The Viva Showbar in Blackpool. This will be a showcase of all the dancers from as young as three years old to the adults group. UDP members will be singing as well and there will be lots of guest acts including breakdance from Freefly, pole dancers from ECN and it will be hosted by the beloved Lionel Vinyl. This will be a family show with lots of surprises and all profits made from the showcase will go to the Kai’s New Legs Appeal, supporting a local boy who is suffering with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Caudwell Children is supporting Kai and other children like him by raising money to fund ground-breaking treatments and physiotherapy which can help children with cerebral palsy walk independently for the first time.ย UDP need to help raise ยฃ58k for an operation to allow him his dream of walking pain-free. The show will also feature Kai’s brother who is a friend and performer for UDP.
Q: How much does it cost and what time does the show start?
Tickets are ยฃ6 for adults. Children under three go free. The show kicks off at 7.15pm. Tickets are available from UDP or direct from the Viva box office or online.
Q: Finally, how has the last year been for UDP?
We could not have wished for a better year. We have grown from one class a week to 13. We’ve choreographed numerous flashmobs, been in loads of fashion shows, photo shoots and music videos. Two of our dancers have won two championships this year and will be competing in The Worlds in August.
Picked from thousands, we have been featured in our own TV show, aired on Nickolodeon.ย We are also coming soon to Sky with Jordan and Perri from Diversity. We also opened The Legends game at Old Trafford which provided paid work for over 60 young people – the list goes on.
We have loads more in the pipeline. This year we are hoping to secure funding for some dance projects to run in school holidays where young people can gain experience in dance, film and fashion, including a fusion of dance styles, whilst gaining a recognised Arts Awards qualification. If anyone has advice on gaining support from funding – we would love to hear from you.
Q: How can people who are interested become part of UDP?
If you would like to join UDP please get in touch. All contact details can be found on our website: www.urbandanceproject.co.uk Also check out our Youtube page. Follow us on Twitter.
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported UDP #LOVETODANCE.
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