City presents 9th Annual STOMP Urban Dance Competition and Showcase

TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Hundreds of children and youth, aged 6 to 24 years, performed an eclectic array of urban dance styles at the City of Toronto's 9th Annual STOMP Urban Dance Competition and Showcase at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at Exhibition Place, today. The participants, who come from communities across the city, performed before special guest judge, Tré Armstrong, from So You Think You Can Dance Canada and a standing-room-only audience.

"Over the past nine years, STOMP Urban Dance Competition and Showcase has become one of the city's premier youth events," said Malcolm Bromley, Director of Community Recreation for the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division. "STOMP promotes the principles of community capacity building and social inclusion in a way that's meaningful, relevant and accessible for our city's diverse young people. "

With more than 375 participants performing before 1,300 spectators, STOMP is the largest annual youth event hosted by the City of Toronto. The performers, who come from the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation dance classes, community dance groups and professional dance demonstrators, entertained the audience with various styles of dance including breaking, hip hop, dancehall, jazz, contemporary and krumping. The event also offers valuable stage time for other urban culture themes: up-and-coming emcees (masters of ceremonies), youth bands, vocalists, rappers, dub poets and actors.

STOMP is a key component in the Parks, Forestry and Recreation division's youth engagement strategy. In 2009, a total 22,192 youth ages 13-24 enrolled in the 1,841 registered youth recreation programs provided by the division; thousands more were served by drop-in programs and events.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    
                     Visit our website at www.toronto.ca
    

For further information: Media contact: Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, [phone], [email protected]