THE search is on for dozens of fleet-footed young Teesdale folk to take part in a spectacular community dance event.
Fishdance, which has been inspired by The Bowes Museum’s world famous Silver Swan automaton, will form part of the Barnard Castle Meet weekend finale on bank holiday Monday, May 28.
But to make the event a success, organisers need to recruit youngsters aged five to 17 to form the dance troupe of “little fishes”.
Fishdance is being jointly organised by The Bowes Museum’s Centre for Art, Craft and Design, The Witham and the Hub.
Matthew Read, director of the Centre for Art, Craft and Design, said it was important to stress that the event was open to anyone, regardless of whether they had danced before or not.
Youngsters simply need to register for Fishdance, after which they will be invited to one of a series of dance workshops at The Witham.
These workshops will be run by choreographers from The D Project dance company, based in Darlington.
Organisers are also putting together a video which will be available on Youtube so dancers can practise at home once they have attended their workshop.
In addition, all dancers will receive a specially designed Fishdance hoodie.
As well as the dancers, musicians and singers are also being recruited for Fishdance.
Music from the Silver Swan will be available to download, which those taking part are being asked to “re-imagine”.
Musicians are being offered free recording and engineering at The Hub.
This will then be played back during the Fishdance parade through the town on May 28, which will culminate on the Demesnes.
Mr Read said the Fishdance event could cater for a maximum of 200 people and he hoped at least 100 would sign up.
Details of the event were being distributed this week to schools in the dale.
“Any community group or individual who wants to get involved can do so.
“It is very much a community event.”
All workshops, music recording and engineering sessions, along with the Fishdance hoodies are being provided free of charge thanks to backers of the event, which include the Northern Heartlands project, in Barnard Castle.
For more details or to register to take part, go online to thebowesmuseum .org.uk/Whats-on/Fishdance
