MOOSE JAW — The 39th annual Moose Jaw Invitational Dance Carnival wrapped up on March 30, after four days of high-energy performances, friendly competition, and a celebration of Saskatchewan’s vibrant dance community.
Held at A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s auditorium, the carnival brought together nearly 600 dancers from 15 studios across the province. Performers showcased their skills in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro, with sessions running throughout the weekend.
Directors Barb Jackman and Denise Maisonneuve, who have organized the competition for the past 39 years, said this year’s event has been another success. Jackman said the atmosphere remained positive and supportive, emphasizing that the event was about more than just winning medals.
“The vibe is real, with lots of camaraderie and friendship,” Jackman said. “It’s a competition, but it has kept the same vibe as a (good-spirited) dance community.”
One of the highlights of the event was the Sahara Spa Spirit Awards, presented at the end of each session. These awards recognized dancers not just for their technical abilities, but for their passion, stage presence, and commitment to the art form.
While the competition ran smoothly overall, co-director Denise Maisonneuve noted that spring weather conditions created challenges for some out-of-town dancers.
“The weather caused a bit of havoc for our out-of-town (dancers), and some couldn’t make it…,” she said, noting that conditions had slightly improved later in the weekend.
Jackman and Maisonneuve worked for months in advance to ensure everything ran smoothly.
“We started working on putting this together back in September,” Jackman said. “Then, once we get here, we rely on our volunteers to help in some areas. I’m backstage, and (Denise) is up at the top, making sure everything’s running up there. So yeah, (together) we’re a well-oiled machine.”
, but have continued organizing the event long after stepping away from studio ownership. Their dedication has helped keep Moose Jaw’s dance community connected for nearly four decades.
“We’re still working to keep the dance community united and sharing all that talent on the stage,” Maisonneuve said.
With another successful year in the books, the Moose Jaw Invitational Dance Carnival reaffirmed its place as a premier event for dancers across Saskatchewan.
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