At least one event normally associated with The Highland Festival is going ahead as normal – the Annual Day of Dance at Culloden Academy Community Centre on Saturday 4th June. Now in its ninth year, the Day of Dance, has proved to be very popular among those wanting to try out something new. Each year there is something completely new, this year it is flamenco. The event again has a real international and multicultural feel.

The line-up this year attests to the variety of dance tutors in the Inverness area. This year only the hip-hop dance tutor, Scott Fairley, is travelling up from the Central Belt. A particular advantage of using local tutors is the opportunity for learners to join in with local classes.

Recently Claire Pençak, a contemporary dancer who is highly regarded in Scottish and UK dance circles, has moved up to the Highlands, from where she continues to direct Tabula Rasa. She will be offering contemporary and creative classes. Iris Kugelman, who trained in Germany and now lives in Nairn, will be offering Movement Ritual as well as creative dance.

Dunia del Campo Baena from Malaga, Southern Spain now lives in Wester Ross and is studying Fine Art in Elgin, where she teaches a weekly flamenco class. If there is sufficient interest in the Inverness Area she may be persuaded to offer classes there. Kathleen Riachi, who trained in belly dance at the Middle East Dance Academy in Lebanon, will this year be offering Arabic Techno dance to the beats of Downtown Beirut.

Steve Sharpe, who is equally well known in the area, has recently returned from a visit to Guinea where he studied with master drummers. This year he and the Karoo Performance group will be offering West African dance. Fraser MacDonald, who is a member of Karoo, and who teaches capoeira in Inverness, will be introducing young and old to this energetic Brazilian martial art and dance.

Jermaine and Campbell McCracken from the Black Isle will be demonstrating salsa couples dancing, Dionne Monteiro from Nairn will notching up the pace with Street Jam and Fiona Riddell, who takes a range of classes in the Inverness area, will be offering Modern dance to some of the hottest chart music.

The sessions are designed for beginners, with something for all ages. Men are especially welcome, even to the belly dance! There are four time slots and a choice of thirteen styles. The day ends with a dance platform, where groups perform short pieces of dance, including specially choreographed pieces.

The Day of Dance is presented by the Arts section of Community, Learning and Leisure in the Highland Council’s Education, Culture & Sport service. Bookings may be made on-line on www.thebooth.co.uk  at Highland Council Service Points and at Inverness Town House.