The BC Annual Dance Competition got underway at the Lester Centre for the Arts in Prince Rupert Sunday, May 5, with solo categories in the morning and afternoon and group categories in the evening.

The 2024 competition features nine studios from Prince Rupert, Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Hazelton, Terrace, Kitimat and Haida Gwaii.

More than 250 dancers will perform more than 800 dances with a total purse of more than $75,000 in cash, scholarships and awards up for grabs.

The top cash prizes are for the Performer of the Year in each of the age groups, junior, intermediate and senior. That prize is $1,000.

The festival, one of the biggest and richest in B.C. wraps up Saturday night (May 11) with a gala featuring a champagne reception and highlight performances from the week.

Each daily competition session is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and entry is $5. The evening sessions from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and $8. Tickets available at the door and online at lestercentre.ca.

The gala is $35.