Practice makes perfect, or at least that’s what they say. Twenty-eight amateur dancers are practicing over the next few weeks to strut their stuff in Belfast City Hall, on Saturday 19th May.
By kind permission of the Rt Hon, The Lord Mayor Cllr. Nuala McAllister, who has chosen The Rainbow Project as one of her nominated charities for this year.
The event will take place during LGBT Awareness Week which in encompasses International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). LGBT Awareness Week will see many events take place across Northern Ireland, from family fun days to art shows, from hill walking to dancing. Showcasing the positive contribution the LGBT community brings to Northern Ireland.
The event aims to raise funds to support The Rainbow Project’s range of mental, physical and sexual health services for LGBT people and their families across Northern Ireland. The fourteen couples will go head to head on the night to receive hopeful perfect tens from our Judges Gavin Boyd, Policy and Advocacy Manager at The Rainbow Project, Ross Anderson-Doherty, Cake Daddy and Creative Director of Cabaret Supper Club, along with Guest of Honour, Lord Mayor Cllr. Nuala McAllister.
For the first time The Rainbow Project’s director John O’Doherty will be competing as a dancer with his husband Martin. O’Doherty said: ‘I’m thrilled to be able to dance in the contest for the first time as a married man. I’m so thankful for all the dancers who are giving up their time and challenging themselves in this way. And of course we are very thankful that the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister has been such a supporter of The Rainbow Project during her tenure and has very kindly agreed to host us in City Hall and join us a judge on the night.’
One volunteer dancer, Aisling Twomey has said ‘I jumped at the chance to do Strictly. It was a no-brainer for me after my friends had participated in previous strictly events. Not only I am helping to support the wonderful work of The Rainbow Project by learning a new skill but it helps me personally by challenging myself to battle my nerves. This show has all the strictly excitement about it, full on glitz and glamour! I can’t wait to put on my sequins and dance my way to the trophy!’
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Nuala McAllister said: “During my year in office, I’ve strived to help make Belfast a welcoming, inclusive city for all and the work of The Rainbow Project is vital in giving a voice to so many people in our city, they consistently support, advocate for and provide vital service to the LGBT+ community. The work Rainbow do helps to make Belfast the colourful and diverse city it is.
“City Hall is a wonderful venue for this fundraising event- and I am looking forward to seeing top dancers strut their stuff to help raise money for a great charity, and I’m delighted to give them my support.”
Tickets are available now and are limited, so get yours now, while you still can www.rainbow-project.org/strictly