Ann McKechin MP is encouraging local residents to sign up for the Glasgow Dance Challenge, which is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a UK-wide celebration of arts and culture organised by the London 2012 Olympics. Across the country, there are dance related events happening as part of the Big Dance 2010.

Ann joined dancers as they descended on Westminster in a double-decker red bus on Thursday 1 July to put dance at the forefront of the political agenda as part of the series of national dance events. Ballet and Barata natyam dancers joined musical theatre, contemporary and street dancers to celebrate the current success of dance and meet the Minister for Culture, MPs and Olympic swimmer and Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Foster, who is a Department of Health Dance Champion.

Now, Scottish Ballet is hosting ‘The Dance Challenge’ in Glasgow as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Participants will be shown around Scottish Ballet’s award-winning headquarters at Tramway and be given the exclusive opportunity to enter the studios and observe the dancers in action, preparing for their upcoming production Geometry & Grace. This will be followed by a Q&A session with a dancer, and the chance to take part in an hour long beginners’ ballet technique class.

As well as providing an exciting, unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of Scotland’s national ballet company, The Dance Challenge incorporates two of the Cultural Olympiad key themes: it brings together culture and sport and it encourages audiences towards active participation. Having some knowledge of the stamina and skill required will help audiences to enjoy future performances even more. You may even be tempted to take up regular ballet classes as a new form of exercise and enjoyment! 

After watching the colourful open air performance, which took place on Horse Guards Parade, (normally the site of the annual Trooping of the Colour) Ann said:

"It was excellent to join the UK event in London advance of Scottish Ballet's 'Dance Challenge' which will be held in Glasgow on the 24th of July.

"Exercise regimes and keeping fit is not always an easy sell, young and old alike, but dance is a really easy way in to getting in more of the important cardio-vascular activity we all need to build up.  As a keen dancer myself, I am a passionate advocate that all types of dance are a good, fun way of staying fit and healthy.  

"That's why I'm pleased to support the Scottish Ballet Dance Challenge and encourage local people to sign up for the places being offered at the Glasgow Challenge event at the Tramway, as part of the London 2010 Cultural Olympiad and Big Dance 2010 programme of events across the UK."

Dancing on Parliament builds on the recent surge in the popularity of dance.

An Arts Council report showed audiences for dance grew 103% in 12 months, whilst Streetdance 3D the movie has taken £11 million in 5 weeks, making it the most successful dance film ever. In its opening weekend Streetdance the movie topped the box office, taking more than Robin Hood, starring Hollywood heart-throb Russell Crowe and Disney’s summer blockbuster, Prince of Persia.

The renewed interest in dance also offers a huge opportunity to get young people, especially women, fit and active, tackling the rising rates of obesity. 40% of girls have dropped out of all sports activity by the time they reach 18.

Dancing currently has a high profile, and consequently a big role to play in encouraging healthier lifestyles.

More than 13% of Scots either engage in or attend dance performances regularly. Ten million people regularly watched the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing', and a recent survey of over 50,000 14 year olds showed dance was the second most popular physical activity after football, according to the Dance School of Scotland.

So you think you can dance? Scottish Ballet hosts ‘The Dance Challenge’ GLASGOW

• What: The Dance Challenge offers the public a chance to experience the power and athleticism of ballet first-hand

• Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PE

• When:  Saturday 24th July, 10am and 12:15pm