Armchair dancers who tap their feet to Strictly Come Dancing are being urged to get off their chairs and get involved in the third annual Dancin’ Oxford Festival.

The two-month long festival will be launched at Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley on Saturday, with the aim of getting people involved in dance.

A series of events, covering everything from tea dances to jive and ballet are planned.

On Saturday, there will be the opportunity to try out a few spins and turns with free classes in ceroc, salsa, hip-hop and African dance and enjoy performances from a range of dance groups.

Festival co-ordinator Claire Thompson, who has been involved with the event since it started in 2007, said: “One of the main things I’m excited about this year is there are events more geared for the whole family.

“For example, there’s a tea dance, which is for the whole family to get together and dance.

“There’s also an event called site/seeing where there will be dancing at different locations in Oxford, taking dance out of the venues and into public spaces, so while some people will go along to watch it, there will also be people walking past who will stop and watch who didn’t really intend to see it.”

Among the first acts to perform will be Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, who are appearing at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, tomorrow and Saturday.

Other performers taking part will include Ellen Kent’s Russian Classical Ballet Theatre, Oxford University Dance Society, Messy Jam, Flaw R’tists, d’Overbroeck’s Dance Group, Oxford Flamenco Academy and Sol Samba – many of whom will be taking part in Saturday’s launch.

Ms Thompson said: “Things like Strictly Come Dancing have affected its popularity in a big way.

“People have been really drawn in and it has had a major impact on people wanting to have a go.”

Funding has come from the Arts Council England, which contributed £37,500, and Oxford City Council, which provided £3,500 and seconded Ms Thompson to co-ordinate the festival.

Another opportunity for people to try out different styles of dance will be at a Dance-a-thon at the Pegasus Theatre on the weekend of Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, when 13 different taster dance classes will be on offer.

Charges vary according to the different events.

This year a festival pass is available for £1, which will offer up to £5 off admission fees for each event. Passes can be purchased from the box offices at the Playhouse, Pegasus, the New Theatre and the theatre at Headington School.

For more information about shows, classes, times and venues, see the festival’s website dancinoxford.co.uk fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk