The Festival of Dance is returning to Whakatāne for its fourth year, bringing together a range of dance groups for an evening of entertainment.

The event is on at 6.30pm on June 20 at the Caledonian Hall in Kopeopeo. Tickets cost $10 for adults, while entry is free for children under 18.

Supper is included in the ticket price, but attendees are asked to bring their own drinks.

Unlike many dance performances, the Festival of Dance is designed to get the audience involved.

Throughout the evening, different dance groups will perform demonstrations, before inviting members of the audience to join in and try some simple dances for themselves; no partner is required to take part.

A small number of performances, including the belly dancers, will be demonstration-only, but most groups will encourage audience participation.

Practice sessions will be held at the Caledonian Hall on June 18 and 19 from 7pm to 8pm.

These sessions will focus on Scottish dances that will be featured during the evening, including the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, and the Dashing White Sergeant.

Organiser Graham Irving said there was no pressure for people to get involved if they preferred to watch.

“You don’t have to dance; you can just watch it like a show,” he said.

The festival will feature a variety of dance styles, including line dancing, belly dancing, and rock and roll.

“We have Israeli dancing and ballroom dancing and Scottish country dancing; there’s something for everyone,” Irving said.

Irving said the event was about more than dancing, giving people the opportunity to be active, socialise, and experience different forms of music and dance.

“We’re trying to get people to just do some dancing because it’s good exercise, good for your brain, socially it’s good, and the music’s good,” he said.

The festival attracted between 120 and 150 people last year, and Irving hopes another strong crowd will attend this year’s event.