Fabulous show by ExPlosion covers many musical genres

I`m still buzzing from the music and energetic dance routines that were a feast to my soul.

To coincide with Black History Month, on October 19 the Little Theatre in Idle hosted a wonderful dance performance from X-Plosion Cultural Arts.

X-Plosion Cultural Arts is an organisation that has supported young people from local communities over the years to achieve their potential in performing arts, winning many awards for the importance of physical health and the development of good mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Directors Linda Binns and Judy Peltier were joined by choreographer Brooke Reed to work on putting together this amazing performance. Ages ranged from four to 74, but, says Linda: “Focusing on the wide age range encourages the sharing of knowledge, experience and skills.”

Que Sera, Sera Motown Magic

I was extremely lucky to be involved in helping to make some of the costumes, therefore had first hand evidence of the unity and community spirit.

Now take your seats and join me for this exciting journey of music, song and dance.

Linda and Anthony opened with a powerful rendition of `Something Inside so Strong`.

With a shout of `Lets Go` from the compere, the curtain went up to reveal the younger members of the cast with a convincing Irish dance. The older children followed with Lord of the Dance.

What a beginning: from these first numbers we all knew it was going to be a joyous explosion of talent.

Now if I say `supercalifragilisticexpialidocious` I think you can guess the next routine. This marked the musicals section including a beautiful nostalgic step into the 1930s with `Don`t Rain on my Parade’ and Kiara surrounded by the youngest children singing `Que Sera Sera.`

Linda gave her amazing version of `My Guy` giving the cast time to change into their glamorous, glittery outfits ready for...you guessed it - a Motown medley.

This was a fast-moving fun section that got the audience singing and clapping along. To be honest I nearly leapt to my feet - it was glorious: all ages dancing their hearts out.

Motown moves

Yee-haw, there's stetsons aplenty

Amy, Samarah and Brooke offered an incredibly convincing Tina Turner featuring the famous ungainly stance associated with the star.

The second half of the show opened with a Janet Jackson number, then...yee-haw! With toe tapping, hip slapping moves, the cowboys arrived.

Where do these people get their energy from? I was worn out watching from my seat in the audience.

Now for one of my favourites - street dancing. The young ones with caps turned backwards, the two boys break dancing, cheered on by the audience and an impressive performance of skill and moves from the older girls.

A group of ladies from the Dominica Association delighted us with a touch of the Caribbean before a grand finale carnival performance from all the children and young people.

This was a night I will always remember. They certainly knew how to do it!

This event was sponsored by the Dominica Association, Leap, Arts Council England and Bradford Cyrenians.