Dancers step up for record bid

May 23 2008 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

Dancers step up for record bid

A CHESTER dancer is hoping to help break a world record this Bank Holiday.

Christine Stockton, of Upton, will head to London with fellow flamenco dancer Nia Lowe, of Frodsham, on Sunday to take part in the largest Sevillanas dance. The Spanish Tourist Board has set up the challenge in the city’s landmark Regent Street.

Christine, who dances with Deva Flamenco in Newton, said: “Sevillanas dancing is the sort of dance that the Spanish might do at a party with a partner. There is a set routine and you can dance it with anyone.

“The men make a lot of postures and every time the partners pass each other the woman kicks up her skirt. Sometimes they play castanets.”

The challenge to break the record is more than 200 dancers but Christine thinks there will be thousands of people flocking to the event.

“It should be very colourful. The organisers said that you don’t have to wear a costume but of course we’ll wear ours!”

Christine first started flamenco dancing 11 years ago on a ten-week course organised by Chester City Council.

“We loved it so much that we didn’t want to stop dancing. We were given a small start-up grant to run the classes and it’s been a great success.”

For more information on Deva Flamenco, visit www.devaflamenco.com or telephone Christine on 01244 383293.