Over one thousand dancers in Moosomin this weekend
April 20, 2026, 10:52 am
Donnie Matichuk
After the success of last year’s competition, Artemis Dance is hosting another Eclipse Dance Experience this weekend.
“It’s going to be run very similar to last year. We have a few more studios joining and we will be running almost a full day longer than last year, but otherwise we have pretty much the same things going on,” said Ayla Schwandt, instructor for Artemis Dance Moosomin.
“We are doing cash prizes, the People’s Choice Award, and we have two different adjudicators this year, as competitions always do. We have Trends Mercantile from Moosomin running our kitchen this year and they’re doing dirty sodas.
With new studios joining, and more returning from last year’s competition, the Eclipse Dance Competition will feature over one thousand dancers competing.
“Last year went so well that it gave us confidence that we can do it again. We have studios coming from Regina Beach, Regina, Carlyle, Weyburn, Melita, Reston, Grenfell, Redvers, Moosomin and a few more. Everything for the weekend will be taking place at the MCC centre in Moosomin,” said Schwandt.
This is the second year that Artemis will be hosting their own competition, with the 2025 edition giving dancers all around Saskatchewan to compete and show their skills.
“Moosomin is honestly the perfect community for a big competition. It has all the amenities to host all the people that will be coming to town, there are hotels and lots of restaurants and dining places, and lots of shopping. The MCC isn’t perfect, but it’s a suitable building to host a competition. It’s nice to have such a big event in our small community for economic growth. It’s also just a really good way to put our little corner on the map in the dance world,” she said.
“For the local economy, the businesses see a lot more traffic, because when the kids are waiting in between their performances, they want something to do rather than just hang out in their hotel room. So they go and shop, they go and eat, they check out what our local attractions are, and there’s going to be a lot for them to see and do. Especially it’s mostly all girls and their moms hanging out for the weekend. Not to be stereotypical, but girls like to shop.”
The competition will be open to the pubic, and anyone can attend. The weekend rate for the full event will be $25, and a day pass will cost $10. Students can get in for $7 each day as well.
“Sometimes, people don’t really know the difference between the competition and the Moosomin recital. For the recital coming up, you have to pre-buy tickets, and it’s just a two-hour-long show. A competition is a three-day-long event, and features a bunch of different numbers from different communities. Anybody can come watch, so if they’re interested in dance, they definitely should. I know a lot of people missed out on recital tickets this year, being that we only sold 700 tickets. So if they missed out on getting to go to the recital, then they should definitely come out and check the competition out. That will be the best place to see the dances that would be in the recital and many more from places all over the province.”
Schwandt says that the last few weeks of this year’s dance season have been even busier than usual.
“It has been a little bit of a different experience this year, having our recital and our competition two weeks apart. There’s a lot of mental load to do this competition as well in these last couple of weeks, it has been crazy trying to get everything put together. But we’re lucky to have a really great community dance family that are willing to help out with some of like the heavy load. In terms of getting equipment and getting everything set up, they have been great and a really big help. There’s all the finer details now that we’re working to get done. It’s awesome to have our programs printed at the Spectator, that takes a lot of work off of our plates. Our dance family is great between Redvers and Moosomin. They are always offering to help out in whatever way they can.”
She says that Artemis is very grateful to the Moosomin community for their support in helping to make this event special.
“We really appreciate everyone for being so supportive for this event and creating a really good, overall welcoming vibe for all of our visiting students and studios. I always like to any way that I can thank the community.
Artemis Dance is hosting the second annual Eclipse Dance Experience from April 24th to 26th at the MCC Centre in Moosomin.
