LGBT+ ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in Sheffield!

Young people from the LGBT+ charity SAYiT will treat Christmas shoppers to a little sparkle and glamour in the City Centre this Saturday. Young people and staff from the charity were glued to their screens for last week’s final of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and felt that they wanted to bring some more LGBT+ representation to the dance routines.

Anne Shutt, a youth worker at SAYiT said: ‘Participants of SAYiT youth group have been working with dance artist *Jemma Mae, learning a piece of choreography created especially for them to perform on Saturday 22nd December. ‘Strictly Disco’ is inspired by the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ show. The young people have been working hard learning new dance skills including lifts and partner work choreography over just a few hours on Sunday afternoons throughout December, and are ready to boogey on down to the Streets of Sheffield! Catch us outside Sheffield train station from 12:45, and then in the city centre between 1pm and 2pm.’

Steve Slack CEO of SAYiT said: ‘Next year SAYiT celebrates its 20th birthday – having supported young LGBT + people in the city since 1999. Our young people were really keen to show off their own dance skills and promote the work of the charity. We are really proud of them and hope that people will come along and support them.’

Last Saturday’s final of the popular BBC TV series saw documentary maker Stacey Dooley and her professional dance partner, Yorkshire’s very own Kevin Clifton, win the famous glitter ball trophy. The final was watched by an audience of 11.7 million viewers.

*Jemma Mae is a freelance dance artist from Sheffield, now based in Leeds, performing, choreographing and teaching. Jemma is enriched in multiple dance cultures, and regularly practices Hip Hop, Afro and Carnival dance, and Contemporary. Jemma trained at Leeds Beckett University in Dance BA Hons and has since choreographed and performed in international dance films, and has performed in music videos for national and international singers. Jemma has a passion for community dance and works with children and young people across Yorkshire, teaching Street Dance and Contemporary.

Find her on Instagram to keep updated on her work! @jemma.mae