Talent, tears, triumph and DANCE! Starts Monday 13 June at 10pm.

Over the course of this vibrant and highly energetic television series, viewers will follow six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsals, competitions and performances.

Dannsa, produced for BBC ALBA by mneTV and presented by dance enthusiasts Anne Morrison and Kevin Walker, is a new eleven part series which captures the variety, diversity, and incredible talent of Scotland today.

Throughout the series we will meet some of the dancers who share their life challenges and inspirations for dance as well as their aspirations whether it is the road to the professional dance world or a weekly hobby.

The first episode of Dannsa offers a whistle-stop tour of the six different dance companies to introduce the Heavy Smokers, a street-dancing crew from Livingston; the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen; the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban; the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow; the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh; and the aspiring hopefuls from The Space at the School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see the six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. This end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow will not only see the groups performing their own dance pieces but, renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt, will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the grand finale.

Choreographer, Andy Howitt, said: “I don’t look like a dancer, I never have, I never will in the conventional ‘what is a dancer’ look. And I quite enjoy breaking down that stereotype of what a dance is. That’s why quite a lot of my stuff is quite fluid, because people don’t expect that from me, they don’t expect a guy to be able to move quite gracefully. You know what I mean!”

With six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show, Dannsa presents an exciting and unique series offering viewers a snapshot of dance and illustrates that as a nation, Scotland is dancing.

The first ten half hour programmes follow inspirational characters from the diverse dance groups reflecting the passion and commitment embodied by dancers throughout the country. The spectacular live show from the Tramway will be shown in its entirety as part of the 90 minute series finale.

Dannsa commences on BBC ALBA on Monday 13th June at 10pm and each consecutive Monday thereafter.

Every household in Scotland will be able to enjoy the series as BBC ALBA will be available on Freeview channel 8 from 8th June. The channel was also recently made available on Virgin Media’s cable channel 188 and is also available on Sky channel 168 and Freesat 110.

Source: BBC ALBA