News

January 15, 2008

DANCING CLASSROOMS™ TEAM MATCH FINALISTS WOW HUNDREDS AT THE PALAIS ROYALE!

On Saturday, January 12, 2008 the Palais Royale Ballroom was the proud sponsor of the Colours of the Rainbow Team Match ballroom dance competition for Toronto’s Dancing Classrooms™.  Close to 100 Grade 4, 5 & 6 students put on an amazing display with their ballroom performances and demonstrated their new social graces under the skillful direction of Pierre Dulaine, the internationally acclaimed creator of Dancing Classrooms™ and of Mad Hot Ballroom and Take the Lead fame.  
The Team Match culminated the Fall program that ran for 10-weeks from October 9th to December 21st   2007 across 14 Toronto Public and Catholic Elementary Schools and in which close to 800 students participated.

The seven competing schools were Church Street Jr.,  Ecole Winchester, Glen Ravine Jr.,  Keelesdale Jr.,  Pope Paul Vl,  St. Edmund Campion, and  St. Paul. The three schools receiving the Gold Level designation and moving on to the Colours of the Rainbow Final are Keelesdale Jr.,  Pope Paul Vl,  and  St. Paul.

Invited Guest Speaker Lyriq Bent, touted as one of Canada’s fastest rising young actors, gave a heartwarming and most well received speech in which he urged  students to pursue their dreams but to set realistic goals as they begin the journey of life.  He commented particularly on the innovative concept of Dancing Classrooms™ and commended it as a program that combines so many of the skills that they will need as they move into the teenage years, and for their future adult lives.

The Gold Medal Level Teams returned to the Palais later on in the evening  to perform with Pierre for over 250 guests at the premier Gala Benefit  in aid of the program in Toronto. The audience was not only thrilled at the wonderful dancing but experienced the children’s newly learned social and leadership skills when the students gave dancing lessons to audience members at the end of their performance.

The highlight of the event was the Opening Address given by the Honourable David C. Onley, O. Ont., Lieutenant Governor of Ontario that commended Pierre Dulaine “for changing the lives of so many young people across North America” and thanked the founders of Join the Dance for their good work in bringing the program to Toronto.
His Honour spoke to Dancing Classrooms as “...a timely and very worthwhile cause for those who care about our young people and our schools to support. The vitality, dedication and sheer joy of the children who take part in the program remind us that there are many ways we can engage young people, while they learn transferable skills that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.”

Join the Dance wishes to thank Christine Williams, Regional Vice President of Scotiabank for her wonderful words of encouragement and support in her brief address, and also to thank Scotiabank for being the Presenting Sponsor for the Benefit. As well, we wish to acknowledge the Scarborough Town Centre for its exemplary community interest and co-sponsorship.

Thanks for the brilliant support and expertise of Neil Dalhouse our Volunteer Events Specialist, and MC, and to our dedicated volunteers. There are no words adequate enough to thank the Palais Royale Ballroom and their extra-ordinary team who continue to give personally as well as professionally in their commitment to Join the Dance and the cause we serve.