The 8th Annual Day of Dance takes place during the Highland Festival again this year on Saturday 5th June at a changed venue, Culloden Academy Community Complex. Once again there will be a wide range of workshops for all ages and abilities, with a particular emphasis on dance forms for younger people, with a lot of music from the charts.

Several hundred people are expected and early booking is advised.

The old favourites, Belly Dance and Salsa, are still there led by Belles Delight and Coca. Eden Court Dance Artist Louise Marshall will start with a gentle Wake-Up class followed by a Liven Up class, in which contemporary dance will meet break-dance.

Capoeira, the ancient Brazilian martial art form and dance, as seen on the BBC roof-top filler, has taken root locally and Fraser MacDonald will be hoping to attract new capoeiristas on the day.

A multi-paced Creative Dance class for Children will be led by Cath Giles, the lead tutor on the Local Motion project. Traditional Step Dance will be taught by Frank McConnell, well-known professional dancer and choreographer based on the Black Isle.

The Kpanlogo African dances will be taught by members of the Ghanaian dance and drumming group Katatsitsi. Jammin Fitness return with their high energy dance work-outs, this year with a new selection, Street Jam Dance Party, Kick ‘n Jam and Highland Celebration.

Local dance teacher Fiona Riddell takes a Lyrical session, in which dancers will try out some slower routines to ballad type chart music. Scott Fairley, who choreographed and danced with Scotland’s The Time Frequency comes to Inverness to take a Dance Idol Class for young stars and L.A Jazz, the Ultimate Combo, using urban music to try out some funky moves, using poppin’ and lockin’, hip hop, break-dance and some fancy footwork.

All classes are suited to beginners and many are suited to those with additional needs.

The afternoon concludes with a Dance Platform which is an opportunity for local groups to show off their moves and will highlight the team of 4 dancers and additional musicians from the top traditional dance group Dannsa and a rousing finale by Katatsitsi when all will be invited to take the floor.

The Day of Dance ties in with the Highland Festival evening events in the Royal Highland Hotel, including performances by Dannsa and Caramelo Son, a sizzling nine-piece, all female salsa band from Havana.

Bookings for the Day of Dance can be made at any Highland Council Service Point and at the Education, Culture & Sport office in Inverness Town House. Further information on the Day of Dance is available on 01463 724261; Highland Festival ticket line is 01463 711112.