The Dunedin Performing Arts and Competition Society’s tap and modern dance competition starts at the Coronation Hall, in Mosgiel, today and ends on Sunday.
More than 120 dancers from Dunedin and around the country will take part.
Tap/modern competition convener Julie Larkins and daughter Olivia have been busy preparing for the competition.
What used to be a two and a-half day event had grown to four full days of dancing, something Ms Larkins was proud of.
Last year’s competition attracted about 80 entries, which was huge at the time, she said.
Having 124 this year was "out of the water".
Ms Larkins worked hard to connect with other dance societies and groups to let them know about their syllabus.
She was not afraid to be flexible and make changes to suit the dancers.
One of the highlights of the competition will be the battle for the prestigious Vi-Stewart award on Saturday night.
The award has been a staple of the society for the past 120 years.
Life member and former tap convener Gladys Hope won it as a 16-year-old back in 1967.
Television had only recently become popular in New Zealand and Ms Hope’s dance was broadcast.
"I tapped and it was on television," she said, laughing.
Another big award, introduced this year, is the Ultimate Performer Award on Sunday night.
It was aimed at people who may not have had enough experience to win the Vi-Stewart, but still performed well and showed a lot of promise, Olivia said.
"It could be a 6-year-old that [the adjudicator] thought did a really good job, it could be a 20-year-old whose dance they loved," she said.
Twelve people will be selected to compete for the award — six under the age of 12 and six over.
"We really wanted it to be all inclusive.
"Anybody can take out this big award, no matter how good of a dancer you are."
This year’s annual competition coincides with the society’s 120th anniversary.
It was founded in 1902 and was the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Initially the classes offered included elocution, essay, impromptu speech and humorous recitation, piano, violin and vocal sections.
The following year painting, photography, wood-carving, brass instruments, mime and impromptu debate were added.
Dance was included in 1917.
