

Youth and community dance show eNgage 2019 returned in June for its third consecutive year at The Spotlight, Hoddesdon.
With an audience of over 300 and a cast of 150, the show, (managed by the team at Epping Forest District Museum) brought several communities together for an evening of spectacular dance. The blend of dance styles included tap, musical theatre, street dance and contemporary.
The Dancers
Performers were of all ages and abilities; from 7 years old to 70 plus years young!
The evening welcomed a few new groups to eNgage; Vallé Academy of Performing Arts, from Broxbourne closed the show with a fabulous ABBA medley; Forever Young, a Chelmsford based group showed us you’re never too old to dance with a wonderful piece to ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning’, and D.A.T.C, a group of young adults, who formed a troupe after having studied together at DNA Studios.
Vibrant performances
Mayhem Theatre Arts opened the show with a vibrant performance to ‘The Greatest Showman’. Moves and Grooves from Chipping Ongar Primary School, and Debden Park High School had everyone dancing in their seats with fun, colourful carnival pieces.
Big Funksters, Stadium Theatre School, Scene II Theatre School, Straight Up Dance, Jason Theatre School all returned to perform with exciting, energetic and powerful routines.
Fantastic event
Councillor Richard Bassett, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council commented: “This truly is a fantastic event. I was very lucky to be invited to attend for a second time in my role as Chairman and once again completely amazed by the energy and enthusiasm shown by all the performers. It is wonderful that there is so much talent locally and so many people able to put on such a great show. What a fantastic job everyone does in arranging the Engage event every year, so congratulations to all those involved.”
Congratulations to dancers
Councillor Nigel Bedford, Community and Partnership Services Portfolio Holder said: “My first eNgage event was a very enjoyable evening. Congratulations to all the dancers for their spectacular performances and to the organisers for making it all happen. This event is one of those fantastic occasions that brings together people of all ages in our community.