Local dance school Movement Zone is turning 25 and will celebrate the milestone with three special concerts at Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre this weekend, October 18 and 19.
The community is invited to join them for this silver celebration with an explosion of dance and performing arts, featuring hip-hop, breakin’, funk, commercial, musical theatre, Bollywood, Latin and more.
The dance school was created by local professional dancer Sarah ‘Sas’ Cook in 1999.
Sas founded the school in Melbourne after a serious car accident that left her professional dance career in limbo.
“I wanted to channel my energy and everything I had learnt throughout my studies into something positive,” she said.
“I later decided to bring Movement Zone back to Castlemaine and provide the local community with the kind of dance school I would have loved growing up.”
Sas has since welcomed two kids and juggled her professional career while growing the unique rural dance studio into what has become the leading urban dance school in central Victoria.
“We really put hip-hop on the map in Castlemaine and over the years we have added a range of other classes to our curriculum, with everything from Mini Feet and Junior Jam sessions for youngsters through to Latin street vibes, contemporary and urban dance, soul funk and the ever-popular Silver Top Dance classes for seniors.
“More recently we have also moved into performing arts with one of our former students turned professional dancer, actor and comedian Stephanie Harrison now leading musical theatre.”
From humble beginnings in the Presbyterian Church Hall and more recently Campbell Street, the school has recently relocated to a dedicated new space at Autoplex Etty Street and now boasts two purpose-built studios.
“Our future vision is to continue to invest in the community by supporting and encouraging inclusive participation through movement, movement therapy, fitness and mentorship programs, while celebrating the diversity of our community.”
Sas has recently completed her qualification in Dance Movement Therapy and looks forward to offering dance therapy in 2025.
“Dance is just not about physical health. It can also boost mental health and confidence in people of all ages,” she said.
“When we started out, the focus was on children and young people and now half of our classes are adult-focused.
“I had an adult student recently thank me for bringing dance and joy back to their life.
“They said the class made them feel like a child again. It brings people joy and connection.
“We have had thousands of students pass through the school over the past 25 years and it is wonderful to now see multi-generational participation with grandparents, parents and children enjoying a love of dance together.
“We also have former students taking on mentoring and paid teacher roles. For me seeing the next generation step up to continue the legacy is absolutely amazing and makes all the hard work worth it.”
Sas said all of their students aged 4-90 would be featured on stage, along with special guests Bboys and Bgirls and live DJ BeeZee.
“This is a show not to be missed!” she said.
“The concerts will be a real celebration of our success to date and but more so about our continued evolution and the bright future that lays ahead.”
The party will celebrate dance and community on Friday at 6.30pm, Saturday at 2pm and Saturday evening at 6.30pm.
To book your seat, visit www.trybooking.com/1276869
