TAKING on responsibility for the region's largest community dance festival isn't for the faint-hearted.

And while Ian Moore, pictured below, describes the event as "borderline gargantuan", he's honoured to be heading up the team behind 012 Dance, which begins its run at The Regent theatre on Thursday.

"This is my first ever dance festival, but I've been involved in the arts for the best part of 40 years," says Ian, who became creative learning manager at the theatre eight months ago.

"I'm also festival director of Liverpool's Write Now festival, but 012 Dance is a huge undertaking and an absolute thrill to be involved in."

Now in its eleventh year, the eight-day extravaganza will feature performances by 60 schools and companies from Stoke-on-Trent, across the county and beyond.

"At last count we had close to 1,800 participants," says Ian, "which is a little bit scary, considering the festival is managed by a team of three – myself, Zoe Scott and Lindsey Tate.

"The event is incredibly popular, and some of the dance companies and colleges build their calendar around it."

Naturally, being the year of the London Olympics, the theme for 012 Dance is the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius – Latin for faster, higher, stronger.

"Each performer has been asked to bring together music based on the Olympic theme," says Ian.

"Some of the interpretations, with regard to the use of music, are quite fantastic.

"Only one group is using Chariots Of Fire, and one or two groups have created their own pieces of music."

Ian's predecessor in the role of creative learning manager is Jo Blagg, who was in the post for 12 years.

"Myself and the team are delighted to be moving forward with the work Jo put in place," says Ian.

The aim of 012 Dance is to bring dancers together to show their work, and the performances cover a diverse range of styles, from Irish to street.

"It's not a competition," explains Ian.

"It's a community sharing event where groups perform their piece and will then be able to see the others perform.

"We're also holding an end-of-festival choreographers' gathering, because they don't usually get the chance to network with each other.

"It will be like a wrap party."

The ages of the dancers range from as young as six or seven years old to the early 20s.

"We'd like to open it up to adult groups in the future," says Ian.

"There are a lot of adult dance companies, so that is something we would like to explore."

The festival will be opened by a professional dance company, Plague Dance Crew, who were crowned Hip Hop International World Champions for 2010 and 2011.

And other performers include Celtica Irish Dance Company, Wolstanton Dance Academy and Minnie Skerrett School of Dance.

"This festival is something to be really proud of," adds Ian. "It's just grown and grown.

"I've got some great ideas for the future, and I've already started planning for next year's event."

012 Dance opens at The Regent theatre on Thursday, January 26, and runs until Saturday, February 4. For tickets or further information, call the box office on 0844 871 7649.