Family Channel dances across Canada when The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour begins October 19 - Cast members from The Next Step to visit nine shopping malls across Canada

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - #OMD! Oh My Dance, fans of Family Channel can get closer to their favourite stars this October when The Next Step dancers hit the road, embarking on a nine-day national shopping mall tour across the country. As announced on Family this past Friday, The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour kicks off Saturday, October 19 in Oshawa, Ontario and concludes Sunday, October 27 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Among the nine-city tour blitz are Waterloo, Halifax, Winnipeg, Edmonton and more.

"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to connect with our audience on a national level," said Paul Cormack, Director, Marketing, Family Channel. "The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour reaches viewers in their own communities, providing a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience that demonstrates Family Channel's commitment to creating unique opportunities for its fans."

At each tour stop, the first 200 fans in line, at the designated area, will receive wristbands to take part in an autograph signing with series stars Victoria Baldesarra ("Michelle"), Lamar Johnson ("West"), Isaac Lupien ("Eldon"), Jennie Pappas ("Chloe"), Brittany Raymond ("Riley") and Trevor Tordjman ("James") following the show. To kick things off the dancers will take the stage to perform in electrifying group numbers, featuring music from the hit series, for all fans in attendance. Each performance will be followed by a Q&A session with the cast where audience members can ask questions and will receive The Next Step takeaways for coming out to see their favourite dancers.

The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour stops are as follows: NOTE: All times local.

Date	Location	City	Show Time
Saturday, October 19	Oshawa Centre	Oshawa, ON	10 a.m.
Saturday, October 19	Scarborough Town Centre	Scarborough, ON	2 p.m.
Sunday, October 20	Hillcrest Mall	Richmond Hill, ON	2 p.m.
Monday, October 21	Conestoga Mall	Waterloo, ON	6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 22	Mic Mac Mall	Halifax, NS	6 p.m.
Thursday, October 24	Kildonan Place	Winnipeg, MB	6 p.m.
Friday, October 25	Kingsway Mall	Edmonton, AB	6 p.m.
Saturday, October 26	The Core	Calgary, AB	2 p.m.
Sunday, October 27	The Metropolis at Metrotown	Vancouver, BC	12 p.m.

For more information and tour details including wristband distribution locations and times, please visit Family.ca/the-next-step-tour.

Family's break-out dance drama The Next Step follows the lives of a group of elite dancers at The Next Step Dance Studio as they work to win the regional competition. When a talented new girl joins the team and becomes dance captain, the studio's hierarchy is brought into question. But with the regional championships fast approaching, the A-Troupe must work together if they want to win and qualify for the national title. New episodes of The Next Step air regularly Fridays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Family.

Commissioned by Family Channel, The Next Step is produced by Temple Street Productions and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Wingin' It, Kids in the Hall, Billable Hours), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin' It). BBC Worldwide has acquired international distribution rights.

Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in approximately 6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Family Channel also offers Family OnDemand, a television-based Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service and Family OnLine, an internet-based, streaming service, these services, available at no additional cost, present hit Disney movies and series, plus top-rated Canadian series to subscribers when they want it, where they want it. Visit us at Family.ca.

SOURCE: Family Channel

please contact Joanna Landsberg at 416-956-8547 or [email protected]