Let’s Dance 2020 at the Brighton Dome will be remembered not only for the incredible talent on display but also for the tense backdrop against which it unfolded. With whispers of lockdowns and event cancellations already circulating, the thousands of students who took to the stage did so with an unspoken question hanging over them: would tomorrow’s performances even happen? From March 9 to March 14, over 70 schools from across Brighton and Hove came together for what would be the last major public event at the Dome before the world shut down.
Each day brought a mix of excitement and anxiety. The dancers, full of energy and ready to showcase their months of hard work, stepped onto the stage with the possibility that it could all be cut short. The atmosphere was charged—not just with the usual pre-show nerves, but with the collective worry that the next government announcement could put an end to it all. Yet, despite that, the students danced their hearts out, reminding us of the joy and resilience that Let’s Dance has come to symbolize for over two decades.
2020: A Year Defined by Change
By March 2020, the world was already starting to shift. Nationally, the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to dominate headlines, and the UK was preparing for the unprecedented step of entering lockdown. But before those final restrictions came into place, Brighton’s dancers filled the Dome with life, proving that art and performance can thrive even in the face of uncertainty.
The charts were led by The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” a song that would soon become a symbol of lockdown culture, but in those first weeks of March, it was simply the soundtrack to a city still clinging to normality. The anticipation of what was to come hung over the event, but for the thousands of performers who took part in Let’s Dance 2020, it was a moment to forget the outside world and lose themselves in the music and movement.
A Community Brought Together on Stage
What stood out about Let’s Dance 2020 wasn’t just the sheer scale—thousands of students from across Brighton filled the stage over the week—but the resilience of everyone involved. Teachers, parents, and performers alike rallied to keep the event going, even as the uncertainty grew. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement of hope.
Each routine, whether it was a high-energy group number or a more intimate contemporary piece, was met with applause from a community that knew they were witnessing something special. This wasn’t just about dance—it was about coming together as a city, one final time before the doors closed and we all retreated into lockdown.
Holding On to the Memories
Though the world changed just days after Let’s Dance 2020, the memories of that week remain a testament to Brighton’s enduring love for the arts and its young performers. The photographs and videos from the event capture the magic of each performance, and the official DVD’s allows us to relive those precious moments. For everyone who was there—whether on stage or in the audience—Let’s Dance 2020 was an unforgettable celebration, made all the more poignant by what followed.
As we look back, we can’t help but feel proud of what our community achieved, even in the face of so much uncertainty. The stage may have gone dark for a while, but the spirit of Let’s Dance has never dimmed.
Let’s Start Something new
Say Hello!
Turn Your Vision into Reality – Connect With Us Today!