amum/Cathy

I knew they were collaborating but they don't talk about it on their websites. IDTA have this page about OFQUAL recognition and QCF points http://www.idta.co.uk/Site2/examinations.html but I can't make sense of it!

Ds is taking his IDTA Intermediate exam in 2 weeks and has just spotted that IDTA isn't listed with the other organisations for UCAS points here http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/factsheet/dance I'm wondering if anyone can confirm that the IDTA exam wouldn't count for points? We are vaguely wondering whether it is worth taking the RAD exam as well at some stage. His teacher only switched from RAD for the Intermediate class a year and a half ago. Thanks if you know!

The USA certainly have more stuff for boys/men. One year a very helpful Billy Elliot fan brought me back a Capezio Billy Elliot dance bag from the Broadway show's shop, which my ds has been using for about 7 years now. They never sold it in this country sadly, yet Billy Elliot started here - WHY???!!!

There do seem to be a few more capezio items on various people's websites. My Planet Dance link doesn't seem to work. Will try again. They are usually quick to deliver and have a decent range, maybe because they are the official suppliers for Northern Ballet Theatre/Academy who have plenty of men/boys! http://www.planetdancedirect.co.uk/index.asp

I mostly use dancemania or Planetdance http://www.planetdancedirect.co.uk/company.asp?ID=2. It is annoying that there's nowhere you can take your ds to and just find what you need there and then. I can't remember ever taking him into a dancewear shop for clothing. We went to the Bloch shop in Covent Garden once for tap shoes, as a treat. That was it. Everything else has been trawling through websites! Edited to add that I gave up on dance related presents. I have bought little theatre related gifts from a shop in Covent Garden (the central market section) that sells little model theatre kits. I've forgotten its name. They sell gorgeous little Nutcracker Christmas tree decorations which are good for boys!

Oh thank you everyone. Lots of helpful suggestions but I am very tempted by your suggestions Shelia so will set to measuring ds feet in the next week. Thankyou. He has quite wide feet so I have ordered the wide Freed Aspire in the past.

I order ds full leather, not split sole, white ballet shoes infrequently and can’t remember who I got them from last time but need some for summer RAD exams. Please can anyone suggest who has reliable sizing? I know I have used Express Dance Supply to buy Freed Aspire in the past as they supplied ds’s RBS Junior Associates uniform but I have had to send shoes back to them for a different size at least twice in the past. Does anyone else use them or can they remember the magic formula to convert, say Clarks sizing, to Freed Aspire? Or suggest to me another make and its sizing? I also need to order some jazz shoes for dd who is an ADULT size 8 ½, Gulp! We have bought Bloch in the past but every shop seems to convert the Bloch US sizing slightly differently. Please could anyone recommend a particular supplier and remember how their conversion works for UK sizes, or recommend some other non expensive make jazz shoes with accurate sizing? Thanks if you have any suggestions.....

I'm so sorry to hear she is still unwell C4D. I hope she recovers soon. I think it is possible to get back to a high standard of dancing even with a considerable period away - remember Lauren Cuthebertson had a year off with ME/Chronic fatigue syndrome then returned to dance (and create) the massive role of Alice at the RB. All our love

I'm sorry but I disagree with most posters on here Only you knoiw what the circumstances are with your dd's choir but they sound shockingly disorganised to have given you 2 weeks notice for a new event - so should live with the consequences. My dd and ds's school has a pretty disorganised choir mistress who used to just fail to turn up for some practices when my ds joined in his first year. He refused to stick it out until the end of term concert and carol service. As they knew he had a beautiful voice I had the head of music AND the headmaster ringing me up about it. Nightmare! He wouldn't go back though. Now my dd has started at the school I am persuading her weekly to carry on until after the end of term concert and carol services! I think teachers need to show courtesy and respect and consideration of what the children put in, and giving inadequate notice of a new event is asking for less than 100% attendance.

There are a whole load of RAD courses next year which can be booked as gifts - coming with a gift card, if I read it right. Also you get 10% off if booked by 14th December http://www.rad.org.uk/article_pink.asp?id=633&realCat=481

How about Northern Ballet? Dates for next year not out yet though... http://northernballet.com/index.php?q=academy/training-programmes/easter-course-2012

I'm so sorry to hear what a tough time she has been having C4D. Sending you our best wishes. At least we should be seeing you at EYB in 2014. all being well!

I'm really sorry to hear this. He's not had much luck in the last year with appendix and injuries I hope he didn't have any auditions planned this term? I'm no expert on spoirts injuries but I think he really shouldn't be stressing the joint (and hence the ligament) while it is healing. Can he get some advice from a physiotherapist? Good Luck for his recovery. Hope he is fit to make the Hammond Associates in December

Thanks to Bruce for his enjoyable DanceTabs review

I thought I would post the details for this. The date has recently changed from the w/e of the 8th to the following w/e. Link to application form here. Boys do not have to be doing RAD ballet to take part. http://www.rad.org.uk/article_pink.asp?id=278&realCat=360 The event will take place on Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 December 2012, at Trinity Laban’s purpose built studios in South East London. Trinity Laban, our Boys Only! partner for a third year running, are a Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), an intensive training programme for young people aged 13-18 who have exceptional talent and potential in dance. Part of a national initiative funded by the Department for Education, the CAT aims to identify young people with exceptional talent and potential and provide them with the highest level of dance training regardless of their personal circumstances. As part of the CAT, Trinity Laban is committed to delivering an extensive outreach programme in order to identify potential in younger children and guide them towards appropriate dance training to nurture their potential and help prepare them to audition for the CAT if they wish. As such they are delighted to partner with the Royal Academy of Dance to produce Boys Only! The weekend in a nutshell The weekend is suitable for boys aged 8-18 years, from beginners through to more experienced dancers. Workshops in three different dance styles: Ballet, Street and Contemporary dance will be taught by experienced and inspirational male teachers from the Royal Academy of Dance and Trinity Laban. Students will be divided into three groups and work with boys of a similar age and level of experience, taking classes in all three styles over the two days. The weekend finale will provide an opportunity for all the students to perform what they have learnt to a supportive audience of parents and guardians. Ds has never done the London one, and I'm not sure we can make it. Has anyone done the London one before, and was it at Laban?

This sounds like it would be fantastic for boys in particular. Shame we are too far away- we need it further north!

Great news, and here's hoping your dd enjoys herself there

It was a great to finally meet you Janet, thankyou for that. I always enjoy and appreciate your postings. I loved this staging - I have been wanting to see the BRB Swan Lake for years. I surprised myself by prefering Act 1 to Act 3, which is my usual favourite. Probably it was the impact of the men's dancing in Act 1 which drew my attention. It really showcased what a strong company they have become with their men, if that makes sense Joseph Caley goes from strength to strength. Elisha Willis didn't really let go enough and show us her dramatic skills and musicality. The technique was there (except not making all the fouettes - she managed 18 according to Pups_mum's dd!), but I suspect she wasn't confident enough, it being the beginning of the season, to really show us what she can do in her interpretation. I suspect a performance later in the season could blow the audience away... I loved the costumes and the sets, as always with BRB. The shimmering of the lake, and the lightning were wonderful effects. Am feeling very flat now - we have been looking forward to this for 6 months. I will be examining my bank balance and diary very closely to see if we can afford to catch it again somewhere else Hope we can meet again Janet

Hi C4D. Good Luck to your dd for the start of term. Will be thinking of you. We stayed at this site http://www.chestersoutherly.co.uk/ about 5 years ago, with a motor home, when we were visiting Chester Zoo. It was flatt, clean, but slightly pricey, from what I remember. I can't help with the storage thing though. Hope you get on OK

When I donated I wasn't logged in. Does the site marry up the email addresses with the user names? Just wondering if you are running a list of members who have donated, that's all!

Thanks for posting. Looking forward to the sat even at the Lowry

Looking forward to Aladdin at the Lowry. Am I right in thinking it was done for Japan and hasn't been performed over here yet? BTW Janet your thread title has 2012, not 2013 in it so slightly confusing

Have PMed you the names of 2 schools famcandance2 but we have no experience of them. Good luck with finding somewhere for an advanced 1 class stardancer. Our school only has 1 girl in that class atm so goodness knows how our teacher can afford to keep it going think we are too far South of Carlisle for you though.

Did i miss her or was she axed? I DID enjoy Akhram Khan's piece though. I was so thrilled to see him, perfect choice

I'm sure they are all having a great time. Good Luck for the performances, including to a certain ds who goes to Hammond Associates with my ds There is a youtube clip of the Nottingham dancers rehearsing here