One of the island’s contemporary dance groups is warming up for their appearance at a major UK dance convention by holding a fund-raising concert.

A team of 11 young dancers from the Ny Hellannee contemporary dance troupe are to head over to the ’Can You Dance’ super convention, held in the Liverpool Echo Arena on the September 29, where they will perform a routine on the main stage, alongside teams from all over the British Isles.

The group, lead by contemporary dance instructor Beth Brown, is to hold a fundraising concert, entitled ’Get Us To Wonderland’, at the Kensington Youth Arts Centre, in Kensington Road, Douglas next weekend, where they will perform the routine they have created especially for the Liverpool appearance.

’We have created a piece based around musical theatre, and is created around a music from the musical "Wonderland", which is a slightly more adult version of the Alice in Wonderland tale,’ said Beth.

’We were inspired to perform musical theatre after taking part in a dance show in London last year.

Following auditions, held in July this year, Beth has pieced together a team with ages ranging from 10 to 21 years old, featuring Annie Teare, Kennedy Parker, Lauren Mayers, Katie Foster, Charlotte Williams, Alicia Schofield, Mary Teare, Cara Davies, Jade Ward and Caitlin Cowin and they have put together a piece that features four dance routines, all performed in the space of three minutes.

’That was a major challenge, to get everything done in a short space of time, from auditioning to choreographing the dances. It was a real team effort.

’We have included as many styles as we could, with contemporary routine and jazz, and we have also incorporated a hip hop routine too.

’We wanted to show off as many of our skills as we could in such a short time.

’Most importantly, though, we wanted to show that the dancers on the Isle of Man were just as good as anyone across in the UK.’

’Get us to Wonderland’ takes place on Friday, September 7, and will also feature Jasmine and Zac Colligon and dancers from the Move It dance studios, Gena’s Dance Academy.

Tickets are £10, and are available on the door.