These cats can dance

The team at Dance Cats, Melbourne’s only dedicated gay and lesbian dance space, is gearing up for a busy summer. Even if you have two left feet, there are ways to get involved and events you can enjoy as a spectator.

Classes close for Christmas on December 17 and re-open on January 5. In the interim is the Dance Cats’ Christmas celebration on December 20, billed as an -œexam, performance and party night. For most of us, the words -œexam and -œparty might not sit well together, but for the Dance Cats, the night is a celebration and the culmination of everything they’ve worked for throughout the year.

You don’t have to be a Dance Cats regular to attend -” anybody with a passion for same-sex dance sport is encouraged to come along and cheer on those competing. There’s social dancing for everyone to enjoy, party dances and performances later in the evening, as well as the all-important award and trophy presentation for the 2008 exams. From 8pm to late at the Dance Cats studio in Fitzroy, the night promises to be a fun-filled way to celebrate the end of the year.

Once you’ve recovered from your post-Christmas hangover and worked off all those Christmas dinners, Dance Cats will be participating in the Australian Same-Sex Dance Sport Championship as part of the Midsumma Carnival on January 31, at the Collingwood Town Hall from 6pm. There’s social dancing for spectators and everyone’s encouraged to come and support the dancing couples. Table seating is available and a bar and kiosk will be provided for food and coffee. Participants from NSW, SA and New Zealand will be participating, and the Championship is the biggest event of its kind in Australia.

info: For more details go to www.dancecats.com.au