IN PICTURES: MÓTUS DANCE FESTIVAL

(scroll down for a gallery of pictures) Rain didn't stop dance on Saturday, despite a couple of dreadful downpours. The Mótus Dance Festival had been a long time in the planning, and the wet stuff wasn't about to stop the creative flow of those who had invested so much time and effort into the weekend. On Saturday, participants impressed with a whole programme of events outside MK Gallery in the Margaret Powell Square, and the dancers even managed to bring out the sun later in the day! On Sunday,  the movement switched toThe Venue at Walnut Tree. MK and national work featured and more than 550 people had their weekend enhanced by the performances. Mótus commissioned a graduate dance scheme allowing trained dancers to return and work with professional choreographer Stuart Waters, while elsewhere young choreographers got to try out their ideas before a panel of experts who were able to give instant constructive feedback and advice. "It was a complete mix of professional, community and dancers in training," said organiser Helen Parlor. "The weekend showed me what variety we could deliver, and just what is possible.  We could get a real hybrid of community and professionals to generate a culture in dance in Milton Keynes..." Other events included performances by professional companies Motionhouse, Anjali, Ffin Dance, Pagrav Dance and event headliner Theo Clinkard, who gave two showings of his new work Of Land and Tongue. "Everyone worked really hard," Helen added, "The young people were amazing."    Our picture gallery is courtesy of Stu Allsopp    [gallery link="file" columns="4" ids="2480,2481,2482,2483,2484,2485,2486,2487,2488,2489,2490,2491,2492,2493,2494,2495,2496,2497,2498,2499,2500,2501,2502,2503,2504,2505,2506"]