CAMPAIGN: 'Passionate' Magpie dancers prepare for the stage (From News Shopper)

CAMPAIGN: 'Passionate' Magpie dancers prepare for the stage

7:00am Tuesday 24th March 2009 in

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A COMPANY of dancers have announced details of their forthcoming shows, helping to showcase their aptitude for the arts.

Dancers from Magpie Dance will entertain the crowds in Deptford, Penge and Bromley later this year - a culmination of the charity’s hard work since September 2008.

Magpie’s Youth Group, made up of two groups of 15 young people with learning disabilities, will first perform at the Laban Theatre in Creekside, Deptford, next Tuesday (March 31).

The dancers will perform alongside Charlton School, Downham’s Pendragon School, Meadowgate School in Brockley and Brent Knoll School in Forest Hill.

Magpie's general manager Laura Riches said: “These performances are a huge part of what we do.

“It gives the families of our dancers a chance to see the people they care about on stage.

“These performances are an end product to something our dancers have been working so hard on.

“Everyone at Magpie always gets so excited - there is a real buzz because everyone involved gets so much out of these shows as well as giving our dancers a wider public audience.”

News Shopper is helping Magpie Dance raise £100,000 so it can continue to use the arts to help people with learning disabilities in north Kent and south-east London.

The annual Penge Festival has already chosen Magpie has one of its charities for 2009 and Magpie’s Youth Group and adult dancers will be performing on May 23 at the Penge Congregational Church.

St Mark’s Church in Westmoreland Road, Bromley, has also agreed to donate any collections in June and July to the charity, which receives no regular funding. In return Magpie will be performing at the church on June 14.

And on June 23, Magpie dancers will showcase their work again, this time at the prestigious Albany Theatre in Deptford.

Miss Riches added: “These shows are demanding and very challenging but our dancers throw themselves into them with a passion.

“Magpie dancers have a chance to mix with people backstage and other performers, boosting their confidence and social skills.

“In fact, we sometimes have trouble getting the dancers off stage at the end of a show!” Call 020 8290 6633 for information on how to get tickets for Magpie Dance’s upcoming public performances or go to www.magpiedance.org.uk Watch a video of Magpie’s dancers in action at newsshopper.co.uk/video

HOW TO DONATE

Our Help Magpie Fly campaign is hoping to raise £100,000 to help Magpie Dance keep supporting 150 keen dancers with learning disabilities.

Every little helps and every penny raised will go to Magpie so the charity can continue its valuable community service.

Send your donations to Help Magpie Fly, News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT.

Cheques should be made payable to Magpie Dance.

If you want more details about the charity or want to volunteer call 020 8290 6633 or visit magpiedance.org.uk.