Time to put on your dancing shoes – FarNorth Dancefest is back
Dance fans will be putting on their best moves – and learning some exciting new styles – as the FarNorth Dancefest returns to Thurso next weekend.
It is going ahead for the first time in four years and a packed programme is planned from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon.
The organisers from local group Thurso, Come Dancing say they are looking forward to sharing the joy of dance with people from across the Highlands and Islands, with activities that include social dances, live music and workshops.
There will be opportunities to try styles such as tango, ballroom and Latin – and even belly dancing.
Venues will be Thurso's Royal British Legion club, the Guide hall, the Park Hotel and the Weigh Inn.
The weekend begins with music from Big Sky in the Legion on Friday evening (November 11).
Saturday morning will feature Pilates with Moira McBeath, focusing on core flexibility – great for getting the muscles ready to dance. Alternatively, there will be a chance to swing your hips at a belly-dancing session before having a go at Lindy Hop with Steve Hicks.
Making a welcome return to Thurso will be Billy Henderson and Patricia Nunn from Argentine Tango Highland (based in Beauly and Inverness) and Caroline from the Caroline Coomber School of Dance (Elgin and Nairn) to host workshops in Argentine tango, ballroom, Latin and sequence.
Sunday offers an opportunity to learn or improve your Modern Jive before the Live Jive at the Park Hotel with the Barracuda Boogie Band and friends. The raffle from this long-standing fundraising event will go to the Thurso festive lights group.
FarNorth Dancefest was first held in 2018 with more than 80 attending from many parts of the Highlands and Islands, including Ullapool, Inverness and Orkney. Eight instructors ran sessions throughout the weekend.
A similar event was set to go ahead in 2020 but the pandemic delayed its return – until now.
Dance teacher Lesley Gunn from Thurso, Come Dancing said: “I hope this smaller but equally fun festival will share the joy of dance to as many as possible. We all missed dancing together during the lockdowns, so I hope to see some old friends back in Thurso again.
"I love teaching people to dance, but this weekend I will be on the other side – learning new things with our guest instructors. I can’t wait.”
A full programme of events and tickets can be found online and tickets can also be purchased at the door.
There is a FarNorthDancefest Facebook page.