Southport BID feature by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Talented young children from Express Performing Arts Academy can’t wait to perform in front of the crowds at Southport Festive Fun Day!
The brave stars of the future, aged just three to five years old, will be among FOURTEEN local dance schools taking part in Southport’s biggest ever Christmas party.
They will dance on a stage on a section of Lord Street closed to traffic for the day in a packed day of entertainment being organised by Southport BID, Sefton Council, Southport Royal British Legion and Southport Pleasureland.
Organisers are really keen to be able to champion talented young people and get them involved.
The fun day will feature an exciting array of local dance groups, character shows, bite size pantomimes, fairground rides, and three very special guests with Lemar, Toploader and Gemma Collins.
Express Performing Arts Academy are a regular sight locally through a variety of shows, while they host regular classes at St Simon and Jude’s Church and Argyle Tennis Club in Southport.
Their ethos is that “the world of performing arts possesses the power to produce confident, positive, well-rounded communicators, bringing out the best in every individual no matter what their ability.”
Express Performing Arts Academy owners Lisa Walshe and Danielle Clark said: “We have enjoyed being involved with Southport BID’s Festive Fun Day for the past three years.
“We love taking part! It’s always a fantastic family event, and it’s really exciting that this year it’s going to be the biggest one yet.
“Our children taking part are between three and five years old. It’s an unforgettable experience for them and for their families watching on as they perform on their stage in front of such a large audience supporting and cheering them on.
“It inspires their love to perform and helps to build their confidence.
“For many of them, this will be the first time that they have been on stage. It will be something special for them.
“We’re looking forward to our children being announced as support acts for Lemar, Toploader and Gemma Collins!
“It feels really good to be involved.
“We can’t reveal exactly what we’ll be doing yet but it will be something Christmasy; and then we’ll perform a little 70s surprise! You’ll have to wait and see.
“We will be one of 14 dance schools taking part in the event. We’re enjoying working with the other dance schools in Southport.
“This is such a brilliant way of bringing our local community together.
“The Southport Festive Fun Day is such a big event this year. There is so much happening, it’s definitely an event that people won’t want to miss.
“Once our children have finished performing, it’s a perfect time for them and their families to watch the other acts on stage, or go and try the Southport Gingerbread Trail, or see the sparkling Christmas tree, or have lunch together, or visit one of the other festive events happening in the town centre.
“There is so much for families to do in Southport on the day of the Festive Fun Day.”
Southport Festive Fun Day will be hosted by much-loved Southport performer Kelly Bond, and Alex Toal of Greatest Hits Radio, who will entertain the crowds with a special DJ set later in the day.
Festive fairground attractions will delight the crowds, and fun activities such as facepainting and creative workshops will prove to be popular attractions.
Local businesses will also be joining in the fun. Visitors can enjoy festive markets at The Atkinson and Cambridge Walks, Christmas Grotto’s at The Vincent Hotel and Wayfarers Arcade, as well as lots more to be announced.
The Fun Day performances will take place on Lord Street between 12pm and 6.30pm on Saturday 23 November 2024.
The Festive Fun Day is being organised by Southport BID and Sefton Council.
The full line up for the live show
12.00
Special Guests TBA – PQA Southport – The So Talented Academy of Theatre Arts – The Two Jays – Princess Popstar Show (by Regally Royal)
13.00
Funky Monkees – The Dance Place – Snow White (by Southport Dramatic Club) – Magic Movers – Zanobini Academy of Performing Arts
14.00
Frozen Singalong Show (by Regally Royal) – Voice Plus Academy Of Arts – Serenos School of
Dance – Sleeping Beauty (by KD Theatre)
15.00
DBA School of Dance / Baby Ballet – The Grinch – Express Performing Arts – Gemma Collins-
Spiderman – Rapunzel (by All Souls Dramatic Club)
16.00
Central Dance and Drama – Lemar – King’s School of Dance – Wright’s Performing Arts 17.00
Alex Toal DJ set – Toploader
For more information on the Festive Fun Day and other Christmas events in Southport, head to the Southport bid website.
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