DANCING in the streets went to a whole new level at this year’s Wangaratta Jazz Festival.
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Bemused onlookers at the Reid Street Community Stage on Saturday afternoon were sitting back enjoying the sounds of Border band The Miss Fits, when at 1.15pm precisely they were mobbed — flash mobbed, that is.
First there were two, launching into a choreographed dance routine to the opening strains of Sonny and Cher’s The Beat Goes On.
Gradually more and more dancers filled the space until 170 people of all ages had joined in, much to the audience’s delight.
It was the culmination of months of rehearsals for the top secret dance project, Jazz Attack.
Coordinated by Wangaratta Council, Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Regional Performing Arts Academy and Ausdance Victoria, the project saw people gathering to practice in locations right across the Wangaratta region.
Choreographer Andy Howitt said he was amazed at the diversity of participants.
“People just love to dance and it goes to show that dance is a great tool in bringing people of all ages and abilities together,” Howitt said.
Among them were Alex Rose, 9, and her friend April Twyford, 10, both students at Wangaratta District Studio of Dance.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking but it was lots of fun,” Alex said.
