Council honours Moate stage school's 30 years of service

By David Flynn

Dancezone has been a success story in Moate and the wider midlands since April 1995, when the school was begun by Sandra Julian with just thirteen dancers. Now, three decades later, Dancezone has found themselves nominated for thirteen awards in the Dance Awards Ireland competition, which will be held next month.

Last Friday evening the school’s remarkable journey was formally recognised when Sandra and Dancezone were honoured by the Athlone/Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council for their many years of service to the community.

The presentation in Athlone Civic Centre of an Address of Recognition to Sandra was made in the presence of her family and friends, members of the Dancezone family and representatives of the council, with District Manager Annie Blessington welcoming those gathered. Mayor Liam McDaniel made the formal presentation of the parchment scroll to Sandra.

Annie Blessington explained the significance of the council occasion to the gathering.

“An Address of Recognition is a special honour which can be bestowed by the county council on an individual or group which has brought honour, pride and distinction to the county and in Dancezone’s case, the recognition follows a proposal by Cllr Tom Farrell which was unanimously supported by the elected members of the municipal district,” said the District Manager. “Dancezone has become a really important part of the community in Moate and beyond, right through the Midlands.”

Mayor Liam McDaniel said that 32 years of Dancezone has been a “wonderful achievement,”.

“It's well known across the Midlands as a centre for teaching children and younger adults, and it has evolved into what I believe is a community and well done to everyone in that,” said the Athlone Mayor. “You have become known not just locally in Moate and across Westmeath, nationally, and I'm sure internationally. It comes from the volunteers and the leadership that is in there, and in that, I have to say, well done to Sandra!”

Sandra Julian told the gathering she was incredibly grateful for Dancezone to receive the Address of Recognition from the District Council.

“Looking around the room tonight, I am very humbled to see the faces of so many who have contributed to the Dancezone storybook over many years,” she said.

She talked of being inspired by her father John’s desire to set up Moate Variety Group, and it being a journey to shape many lives, that lasted over 25 years.

“My mom (Nuala) was a very elegant, beautiful ballerina in her day, so I guess it was written in the stars, the passion was there, and it was in the DNA,” said Sandra.

She also paid tribute to schoolteacher Marie Smith, who gave her a role in one of the variety group’s productions.

Sandra paid a tribute to her husband Alan, who has supported her Dancezone journey despite she said, having little interest in the arts himself.

“For better or worse at times he has to be both mother and father at home, however he did get a promotion last year to stage manager, and so thrilled was he that he has agreed to stay in the role until I retire!” she said to laughter from her friends and family.

Sandra said she is very fortunate to have “two wonderful boys who embrace the stage and its trappings, but who share their Mama with Dancezone,”

“They both have gifted me the greatest role in life. They've shown me grace, courage, determination, and a love like no other, and they make me proud day after day. So, Alan, Sam, and Ben, thank you for the love, the patience, the understanding. You have lived this journey too. You've seen the long days, the late nights, the busy weekends, the highs, and the challenges,” said Sandra, before she was presented with the Recognition Scroll.