Dancing to a different beat

Local dance organisation, Dawns Powys Dance, which was recently awarded charity status, celebrated its new dawn with an energetic launch showcase.

The open door event was devised to celebrate the success of the past 30 years but also present a clear vision for the future.  In attendance were Chris Davies MP, Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Cllr Barry Thomas, leader of the Council and a host of arts organisations and Dawns Powys Dance participants.

Mr Skates said at the launch: “It is a pleasure for me to be here at the launch of Dawns Powys Dance as an Independent Charitable Organisation, as it moves forward on the next stage of its journey as one of Wales’ most exciting and reinvigorated dance companies.

“The transition that you have gone through in moving from an in-house service to a charity is something that a number of other authorities in Wales would do well to look towards. You should really congratulate yourselves.”

The transformation from Local Authority-run service to an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation has taken over a year, to ensure the smooth transition which would enable Dawns Powys Dance to commit to continuing to deliver classes, performances and exhibition dances without interruption.

Jenn Owen-Adams, Director of Teach First Cymru and Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “Since the very first board meeting we have been driven by a shared vision to ‘get more people dancing’, we have approached each task with that in mind.

“We’ve also been working closely with the Director Amanda, key stakeholders, Powys County Council, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and independent consultants, which has enabled us to make a great leap forward in the organisation’s history.  We are united in our desire to continue to provide opportunities for more people to make, create and watch dance together as families, as communities, as friends and as schools.”