For 35 years one local competition has been bringing together youth from all over southern Saskatchewan to share in their love of dance. 

That competition is taking place this weekend and taking over Peacock Collegiate's Auditorium. One and all are welcome to enjoy the performances of the 900 dancers who are taking the stage throughout the weekend in a variety of dance disciplines.

Two Moose Jaw studios have hosted the competition since the beginning - Dance Images by B.J. and Denee School of Dance, where the begin planning back in September and meet weekly to put together a smooth four-day event.

"It's great to come out and support the dancers," explained Dance Images Director Barb Jackman. "The dance world doesn't come out to perform that often, we spend seven months of the season training two months maybe even six weeks performing and so it's nice for the community to come out and appreciate the hard work of these committed dancers."

The unique thing about the dance Carnival is the list of where these dancers come from, unlike many other competitive events, this one was specifically designed to welcome in people from communities of any size.  

"We also cater to studios that are smaller that don't get the same type of opportunity as if you came from a bigger centre where you're dancing five days a week, maybe they're only getting a teacher one day a week, they can dance at the Carnival in their age group and their level and then still get that feedback from adjudicators. It's the feedback that keeps us growing," said Jackman.

Despite most dancers having quite the busy schedule fitting in more than a handful of dances in just four days, Jackman said the whole point of the competition is to bring these young athletes together and build a bond with each other over a common interest.

"While I definitely hope that they take time to watch and appreciate each other. It is a competition but we really try to focus on comradery, friendships, we're taking pictures backstage of everybody, trying to get them up on our Facebook page. But just to know that there are so many people that share that same common love of the dance world."

Jackman also provided biographies for both adjudicators who are evaluating dancers through the Dance Carnival. 

Irene Booth Irene is a passionate dance instructor and has danced since the young age of three. As a student, she trained on Vancouver Island and in 1991 pursued post-secondary education, in Edmonton, Alberta at the Grant MacEwan University. Irene received an honorarium scholarship, a degree in Dance Teacher Training, a Diploma in Dance graduating with Distinction. Her training included classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Character Dance and Pointe. Irene is a fully registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association and Performing Arts Educators of Canada. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she has trained dancers with much success, towards examinations, competitions and performances that has lead them to professional careers as dancers, performers, teachers and studio owners. As a certified mentor with the Royal Academy of Dance CBTS program, Irene has been successful in working with young teachers to obtain their certification in teaching. In 1993, Irene established Tempo Dance Academy in Nanaimo BC and continues to run the school as the Owner/Founder and Artistic Director. Incorporating a second studio in 2010, known as Rhythm Dance Academy in Ladysmith BC, she later passed this studio onto one of her mentored students, in 2015. In 2017, Irene and former pupil and studio owner Lina Lewis announced the opening of their new studio in Langford, BC “Elevate Dance Centre”. Each year, Irene continues to pursue her dance training and knowledge of new teaching techniques through various workshops, courses and seminars. Her goal is to establish a strong foundation of technique for her students, developing a passion for the love of dance in all its forms and an appreciation of each student's uniqueness and abilities. She focuses her dance teaching in a technique-based class, emphasizing correct posture and placement with creative and fun touches. Currently, Irene serves as a certified Ballet and Modern examiner with the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association BC Branch and is an active member on the Executive Board of the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association, BC Branch as the BC CDTA Modern Chairperson. Irene is a sought after adjudicator for many local, provincial and private festivals across Canada. She enjoys sharing her love of dance through her unique and dynamic approach to the teaching of dance, through dance education, mentoring and creating productions. The two years Irene ventured into something completely different, filming commercials with Chek Six News and working with Hallmark as a background performer. She is looking forward to her fourth season this spring for Chesapeake Shores. In her spare time, she spends all her time with her family and enjoys travelling to unique places.

Nola Antony has been teaching and performing in many styles of dance for over 25 years. She has been trained under R.A.D., A.D.A.P.T., Al Gilbert and Acrobatic Arts syllabus. Nola has taught jazz, tap, ballet (pointe), lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre at both recreational and competitive levels and her students have won numerous high-score and choreography awards. She is a certified dance teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as Module One certified with Acrobatic Arts and with Professional Adjudication Alliance (P.A.A.). Nola has also obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Currently, she is working to become certified with International Dance Teaching Standards. Nola was the Dance Director for the Fort McMurray Public School Board’s PEAK Athletic Academy as well as teaching the dance curriculum for the Triple Threat Academy in Fort McMurray, AB and doing workshops and dance intensives. Recently Nola has been teaching dance around the Edmonton area. Nola’s students have enjoyed success as professionals in the dance industry, being accepted into dance universities, dancing with Disney Cruise ships, attending the Alberta Ballet School and the Joffery Ballet School and performing in music videos with artists such as Michael Buble, K-os, and These Kids Wear Crowns. During her career Nola has worked as, choreographer of community theatre, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Celebration and choreographer for Multicultural Celebrations in Fort McMurray. Nola has been adjudicating for dance competitions across Canada. Nola has a passion for performance, teaching and technique. She enjoys working with children and helping them to discover themselves through the expression of dance.

Dance Carnival is open to the public with three sessions per day and admission $4 per session.