Feel-good contemporary dance added to free family fun in Newton Abbot on Easter Saturday

Feel-good contemporary dance added to free family fun in Newton Abbot on Easter Saturday.

 A ‘feel-good, funny and dynamic dance duet that intertwines contemporary dance with martial arts’ is set to entertain visitors to Newton Abbot on Easter Saturday.

The 12.30pm Olive Branch performance in front of St Leonard’s Tower is an extra attraction in the already packed 10am - 2pm programme that includes free face painting, balloon modelling and crafts.

Also making a return to the springtime celebrations are egg and spoon races, live music, clog dancing and larger than life walkabout characters.

Olive Branch, presented by the Vanhulle Dance Theatre, is a poetic tale of rediscovering nature’s wonder and beauty.

Two strangers meet and quickly learn to overcome differences, forming an alliance to defend mother nature.

The show is rooted around the themes of preserving green spaces, resilience, celebrating uniqueness and neurodiversity.

‘We’re very excited to have dancers Laura Vanhulle and Oliver Robert Russell join us on Easter Saturday,’ said Natalie Hicks, Events Coordinator for Newton Abbot Town Council.

‘The performance of Olive Branch will offer something new and dynamic to our free family fun day, what’s more the show’s themes chime perfectly with those values we hold dear as a Town Council.

‘I hope everyone enjoys the dance and all the other free activities we’ll have between 10am - 2pm.’

The April 4 fun and games will take place in Courtenay Street.

Egg and spoon races, courtesy of Kate Green from Creative Newton Abbot, will take place on the hour every hour throughout the event.

Live music will be provided by the Hot House Combo with additional entertainment from the Raddon Hill Clog Morris Dancers.

Larger than life walkabout characters will mingle with the crowds while an Easter egg giveaway is bound to attract plenty of takers.

A children’s Easter trail around the town centre is also being planned.

‘It’s all set to be a great family day out in Newton Abbot that won’t cost a penny unless you decide to support our local businesses,’ said Natalie.

‘If everyone can put in a kind word to the weather gods we’d be very grateful indeed as we’d hate to cancel such a great event.’