IT’S time for Ausdance ACT’s popular Youth Dance Festival to take the stage live again for two nights at Canberra Theatre after three years of gloom.

Working around the apt theme of “Transience and Permanence”, the young choreographers and artists who have always been the mainstay of the event, are about to present an eclectic mix of live performance and dance film made by secondary schools from all over Canberra and regions that will the tumultuous and unpredictable world of today.

Youth Dance Festival is a special Canberra success story, with a non-competitive model that place it in contrast to prize-oriented competitions. A long-term feature on the Canberra arts and education calendar since 1985, it now boasts more than 45,000 student alumni.

Ausdance ACT director Cathy Adamek says her organisation ensures that every school has the support and resources needed to bring to life the work of Youth Dance Festival, with professional dance artists visiting participating schools to provide support and guidance to students in the development of their own work.

Youth Dance Festival, Canberra Theatre, 7.30pm September 5 and 6.

September 5: Burgmann Anglican School; Canberra Girls Grammar School; Caroline Chisholm School; Erindale College; Gungahlin College; Lake Tuggeranong College; Melba Copland Secondary School; Merici College; Radford College; St Francis Xavier College and UC SSC Lake Ginninderra College.

September 6: Amaroo School; Calwell High School; Canberra Grammar School; Gold Creek High School; Harrison School; Mount Stromlo High School; St Clare’s College; St Mary Mackillop College and Trinity Catholic College.