SURREY — The Surrey Festival of Dance kicked off its 49th year at Surrey Arts Centre last Thursday (March 26), with nearly four weeks to go.
With a $2 admission fee per performance, festival organizer Carol Girardi says it's the best and cheapest entertainment in Surrey during the month of April.
Filled with tap, hip-hop, jazz, ballet performances and more, the festival runs until April 28, and culminates on May 9 with the No Borders group dance challenge and honour awards. SFD also offers masterclasses over the month.
The youth-oriented festival is a month-long tribute to hardworking dancers, with approximately $60,000 in scholarships given to rising stars each year.
The annual event, run almost entirely by volunteers, helps keep kids "focused, disciplined and keeps them off the streets," Girardi told the Now.
All money paid for masterclasses registration ($20 per person) goes directly to funding scholarships, she added.
Surrey Festival of Dance runs every day at Surrey Arts Centre (except April 3 to 6), at Bear Creek Park. Visit Surreyfestival.com for more information and a schedule.