Moving in unison are Mabel and Alfie Dallow, of Gore. Photos: Gemma Sinclair

There were sparkly dresses, colourful tutus and tassels galore at the Gore Town & Country Club on Saturday when it hosted the 18th Southland Festival of Dance.

Moving in sync are Aaron Warrington and Nikki Ford, of Dunedin.

Ninety dancers, including dozens of students, took part in the event, which was split into junior, youth, adult and master categories.

The dancers performed about 80 dance numbers, in genres including the waltz, tango, foxtrot, samba, cha cha and jive, in a mix of solos and duets.

A bedazzled Willow Griffiths, of West Gore School, performs her moves.

In his opening address, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell, who also judged the school competition, said dance had a role to play in the community.

"Southland has always been a community that values patience, creativity and supporting one another and today is a perfect reflection of that," he said.

Dance partners Michael Broad and Catherine Christie of Dunedin like a butterfly, gracefully finish a routine.

The event was organised by Gore Dancesport in association with Rachel’s Studio of Dance.

Studio owner Rachel Wilson said she had taken the school pupils under her wing for eight weeks.

White flowy gowns marry dance duo Jessica Coats and Amelia Burke-Pearce, of Gore, as they glide across the dancefloor at the Southland Festival of Dance on Saturday.

"I go ... to the schools and teach for free for the first term ..... [I] give them the opportunity to be part of something like this.

"A lot of those children would never get the opportunity to do it," she said.

Gore Mayor Ben Bell with his thinking cap on judging the primary school competition.

Mrs Wilson said she had seen them gain confidence.

"You get some people that come in quite withdrawn and shy, and then [dance] bring[s] them out of their shell."

West Gore School pupils Isabella Hedley (left) and Aliyah Honnery are locked in on the dancefloor.

Judge Lyle Vygers from Wellington said there was something special about dance in the South, due to the "the dedication of the [dance] teachers".

"What also makes this comp particularly memorable is the way in which the wider community and businesses get in behind it," he said.