Finale attraction at Potato Shed

DANCE FEST: Clare St Clare from Dance Hall. (Isobel Hamilton)

By Justin Flynn

It’s rare anyone could say they went along to a world-class performance and was actually involved in the production.
But that’s what audience members will be in for during Finucane & Smith’s extravaganza at Drysdale’s Potato Shed tonight and tomorrow.
Dance Hall is a mixture of a little bit of everything with audience members encouraged to get involved in an extraordinary finale to the show.
“We’ll have a big finale that will involve audience members,” director and international cabaret star Moira Finucane told the Indy.
“We’re so respectful of our audience members, so you certainly don’t have to do it – just say at the door that you’d like to be in the finale and it will be a quick 30-minute rehearsal and you’re in.”
Dance Hall had performed across the globe but the Bellarine Peninsula remained one of Finucan’s favourite places, she said.
“We love Drysdale and love the Bellarine Peninsula.
“We’ve performed all over the world but there’s just something about the Bellarine. We get all of our internationally famous dancers and mix them with your wonderful dancers.
“The Potato Shed is but of a local institution in Drysdale. It’s one of the friendliest places to go for a night out.”
Finucane described Dance Hall as a supper dance, a bring-a-plate celebration, a storytelling and dance-teaching extravaganza, a transcendent night of entertainment, and a whole-of-community knees-up.
Dance Hall allowed local community stars, from cake bakers to dance enthusiasts, to be a part of Finucane and Smith’s world as it opened up to become a dinner dance show where the whole community could join in, she said.
“The choice is yours to dance or enjoy the night from the comfort of your seat.
“There’s no dance style that’s left unturned.“
“We might even finish off with a congo line. Interacting with the communities that we visit is one of the biggest privileges in my life as an artist. You don’t need to be a red hot dancer.
“This will be the Bellarine event of the year, so grab your valentine, dress up, bring a plate and get ready for a great night.”