DANCE and theatre will be on display this August bank holiday weekend at Cirencester’s Phoenix Festival Arena.

The Phoenix Festival’s Arena is one of four festival performing areas, allowing local youngsters and community groups to showcase their talents.

This year, festival organisers welcome back regulars Cirencester Creative Dance Academy (CCDA) and their Phoenix Flames cheerleaders.

Katherine Bates, Principal of CCDA said: “Cirencester Creative Dance Academy is very honoured to be performing for the fifth year running at the Phoenix Festival.

"Both our dancers and cheerleaders will be lighting up the Arena over the August Bank Holiday weekend.”

Oliver Horne a CCDA performer said: “I really like dancing with my friends at the Phoenix Festival. There’s always lots of people to watch and the Festival is a fun day out with my family”.

This year the Festival will also say “hello” to first timers Minety Dance Theatre School, Young Performers, Cirencester Dance Club, Cirencester Theatre Company and Swindon Academy of Street-Dance.

Angie Abingdon from the Cirencester Theatre Company said: “We are so delighted to be bringing theatre to the Phoenix Festival for the first time this year and really looking forward to entertaining you.”

In addition, there will be some audience wiggling and jiggling with Latin inspired dance fitness Zumba with Pippa and after the success of last year, another chance to test your strength with the Festivals’ very own Tug of War.

Judy Mills Festival Arena Organiser said: “We are thrilled to have a full and varied programme for the Arena this year. It is a great space for a variety of artists as well as some audience participation. The lineup promises a feast of entertainment for the Phoenix Festival crowds”.

Organisers are also welcoming BEAM Gymnastics to the Festival this year.

A not for profit disability gymnastics club, BEAM supports children in the Cirencester area with additional emotional, physical, behavioural and sensory challenges.

Although BEAM will not actually be performing this year they will be on hand to chat about what they do and will set up their Sensory Tent/Dark Den as a break out area for children with additional needs.

For more information keep any eye on the Festival social media pages, website phoenix-festival.co.uk or contact info@phoenix-festival.co.uk