Santa’s Coming to visit Billingham this year! The picture house will provide santa with his very own ‘billingham-based’ grotto so that children in Billingham can meet santa! He will be visiting every Saturday in December (before Christmas):

3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th December

Visiting Santa is free* however, Head elf has asked us to book children in to see santa, so that he knows how many toys to get made. If you would like to book, please call our team of elves on 01642 555795.

* There are optional presents and photos available when children visit Santa, these are not free and cover the cost of staff and the gifts. Please support us by getting presents and photos.

Christmas Fair

We also have a Christmas fair in the main hall on the same days that Santa visits. Everyone is welcome to have a wander and pick up a bargain at the Christmas Fair, Stalls Already confirmed are: Local Gift Vouchers (Dance Classes, Hair & Beauty etc), Christmas Cake Stall, Christmas Cafe etc. If you would like to book a stall, please call 01642 555795 and ask for Megan or Mattie.

So… we have …’ahem’…(drumroll please)… bought our own venue! I think you’ll agree that its pretty impressive, we decided to go for a ‘multi-use arts space’ as our main pitch for the building… which is what THE PICTUREHOUSE will become.

WE ARE PROPOSING A RESTORATION TO THE BILLINGHAM PICTURE HOUSE. WE WANT TO CREATE A MULI-USE ARTS SPACE THAT OFFERS MANY DIFFERENT ARTS EXPERIENCES INCLUDING; DANCE STUDIO, CAFÉ, COMMUNITY CINEMA, BAR, CONFERENCE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE. WE WANT TO MAKE A TOTALLY UNIQUE BUILDING AND RESTORE THIS BUILDING TO ITS FORMER GLORY FOR THE PEOPLE OF BILLINGHAM.

Idyllically located on a busy bus route, this venue will play host to many events and classes with its main function being a busy and vibrant dance studio space. Fracture Theatre will occupy this space on a weekly basis and will run classes in everything from tap dance to ballet, kids street dance, OAP’s ballroom, our PDG (performance & dance group), and many other performance related activities.

The building will also be available for parties, functions, corporate events and any other activities that you may have in mind.

THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE SPACE WILL BE AS A DANCE STUDIO AND WILL BE UTILISED BY FRACTURE THEATRE’S CURRENT DANCE GROUPS, KIDS CLASSES, FITNESS AND ZUMBA CLASSES.

IN THE MAIN HALL, WE WANT TO MAKE THE WEST WALL OF THE MAIN HALL LEVEL (IE REMOVING THE EMBOSSED STUD WALLS) AND LINING THE ROOM WITH MIRRORS. WE WILL ALSO BE REMOVING THE CENTRAL PARTITION WALLS (MIDDLE OF THE MAIN HALL). WE WILL ALSO BE FITTING A STUDIO SOUND SYSTEM AND A BUILDING WIDE TANNOY SYSTEM.

Currently the building sits empty, situated at the end of Mill Lane in Billingham. We plan to change that, we plan to start renovating the building on Wednesday 19th October 2011 and have the majority of the work completed by Tuesday 1st November 2011. Meaning that in total we have just over two weeks to complete the renovation of the former Picture House.

WE ARE PROPOSING A REVIVAL OF THE OLD USE FOR THIS BUILDING AS A CINEMA VENUE. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SCREEN LOCAL FILMS, AND (WITH PERMISSION) OLD FILMS THAT WERE PLAYED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE OLD PICTURE HOUSE BUILDING.

Watch this space for more information on the picturehouse as it develops. We are planning to keep a blog diary to record our renovation process, while also filming the process to create a documentary on its restoration.  TTFN

Coming Events

• 29th October – Dance Factory Show @ Arc
• 31st October – Halloween walk @ Preston Park
• 2nd November – Private Function @ Arc
• 9th December – Zumba Party @ Blu (Albert Road, Middlesbrough)
• 11th December – Street Dance Event @ The Scout Headquarters, Tollesby, Middlesbrough

SO… there is now excuses for not coming to see us perform… get on it.

Have your kids always wanted to try dancing but its either too expensive, too much commitment or not the right style?

Then this class is perfect for your little ones! A weekly class in which we teach all the latest styles of dance, including street, contemporary, hip-hop and other commercial styles.

For an extremely low price we offer a weekly movement class for every age range (2-5, 6-8 & 9-12). This class will produce shows, dance performances and even mini shows (mid-term) for parents to see.

So if this sounds like something you would like to get your kids into, then please call now and book your child in. We only have a limited amount of space, and the youngest class is almost full.

Parents booking after the class is full will be places on the waiting list until we have enough bookings to start a second class.  We only need a couple of bits of info to book you in so please call us with the following;

• Your full name
• Your child’s name
• Your Mobile
• A Landline (if you have one)

To book your child in please call now:

01642 555795

Take a peek and let us know what you think via the new contact box at the bottom of the page.