'Get Fit, Have Fun, Dance from Day One' is the motto of new inclusive dance classes being offered in the East End by a former back-up dancer for Smokey Robinson.

Dancer Alison Bardgett's East Side Dance classes will start tomorrow in St. George's at the World Heritage Centre on Penno's Wharf.

Classes will be held every Saturday and will be available to anyone from three years old and up.

"Beginners and the more accomplished can join in and dance together from day one through inclusive routines tailored to bring the best out of everyone," said Mrs. Bardgett who works for XL Capital Ltd. during the week. "There will be no monthly or term fees.

"It is 'pay as you go' for a nominal fee, because I wanted to be able to include everyone who loves to dance and give them the opportunity, without worrying about the expense. Partnering with the World Heritage Centre has made this possible and put St. George's on Bermuda's dance calendar."

She said the Heritage Centre is a "gorgeous space" to conduct classes with views of the water to inspire dancers.

She decided to start the Saturday classes, because as her stepdaughters entered secondary school, they found it difficult to take evening classes during the week. "Taking classes after school during the week means it is quite late when you get home," she said. "Saturdays were great for us."

She wants her weekend class to embrace people of all ages, skill levels and economic backgrounds.

"Some families in Bermuda find it a real stretch to pay by the term," she said. "Also, with blended families, often a parent will pay for the term, but because the child is with the other parent on alternate weekends, they only go to half the classes.

"Word has gotten out about the classes and my phone has been ringing off the hook. Parents are saying this is a Godsend. My motivation for doing this is so that any child or adult can take a dance class.

"Beginners and more advanced students will be working together," she said. "We won't be doing the traditional barre work. If we do a ballet routine, it will be a routine that can accommodate beginners and the more advanced.

"It is choreography based. At the moment it will be just me teaching, but once a month we will have a guest teacher with a particular style to give a demonstration of what they do. Then we will work on that particular theme or style."

Babysitting will also be provided to adults who bring their kids along.

Mrs. Bardgett grew up in England and started taking dance classes when she was just three years old. Later she danced professionally with many well known groups, and also taught dance. The theme for this week's class will be Berumba, based on the Latin dance craze.

For very little kids, the first dance class theme will be Jazzy Jiggles. There will also be 'Get it Started' with a modern, jazz, hip-hop combo dance theme for ages nine to 15, and Berumba Blast for 15 years old and older.

For more information, telephone Mrs. Bardgett at 505-9357.