Teenage Kicks

International Raw Energy was an impressive showcase of youth dance companies from across the West Midlands with a suitably international flavour spanning a broad range of dance styles. After a rather neutral opening piece the show simply went from strength to strength and ended up being one of the most enjoyable evenings of dance I've been to, in spite of my initial antipathy.

I have a particular aversion to teenage boys, but the gymnastic antics of the Being Frank Youth Dance crew blew any stereotyped ideas of lanky, undisciplined sullenness right out of the water. I think I actually gasped out loud at one point; which was a bit embarrassing. It kind of made me wish that I'd done something a bit more worthwhile with my teenage years - like somersaulting around a metal bar rather than hanging around street corners drinking White Lightning.

The final Bollywood extravaganza, of course, just brought the house down. Admittedly, the house was probably full of parents, aunties, uncles and grandmas, but although I hate to admit it, had any of the little blighters been mine, I'd have been pretty proud as well.

Something that youth and dance both share is an infectious energy and I don't think I was the only person at the end of the showcase that wanted to leap up and start dancing too. Oh well, if you can't beat 'em - join 'em, But I do now think I am actually going to explode unless I get the chance to get off my seat and start shaking my own funky stuff at some point between now and the 25th May. Bring on the Salsa at Sunset ...

(All images Brian Slater)