AN exclusive preview of a new dance performance piece entitled Roam can be seen at the Trestle Arts Base in St Albans tomorrow night (Friday). It is being performed by the Tom Dale Company and features a journey by five dancers into a world of swinging su

AN exclusive preview of a new dance performance piece entitled Roam can be seen at the Trestle Arts Base in St Albans tomorrow night (Friday).

It is being performed by the Tom Dale Company and features a journey by five dancers into a world of swinging sub bass and complex percussion.

The piece takes as its starting point the human requirement to explore and experience - the Roam of the title - and how it can vary from person to person as well as leading all too often to either fulfilment or estrangement.

The Tom Dale Company has established itself as one of the new wave of emerging artists testing the boundaries of contemporary dance practice and with music as a central part of its work.

The show at the arts base in Russet Drive starts at 8pm and tickets are �11 for adults, �9 concessions and �36 for a family ticket, available from the box office on 01727 850950.

A free day of creative fun for the family is being held at Trestle next Tuesday, February 16, as part of the school half term holidays.

Explore! is a backstage pass to Trestle to tie in with the upcoming performance of Travelling Light Theatre Company's How Cold My Toes on the afternoon of Sunday, February 28.

During the day there will be opportunities to make a shadow puppet, enjoy a story tent session, create a weather soundscape, make weather-related pictures and symbols and present a weather forecast.

Explore! runs from 10am to 4pm and more information is available from the box office or from the website www.trestle.org.uk

l Local artist Dominic Morton is holding an exhibition at the arts base until March 31 which explores the relationship, influence and representation of animals in cultural and tribal art.

The paintings draw on a variety of sources from Aboriginal, African, Egyptian and Native American cultures.

Dominic, who went to Sandringham School in St Albans and works with a variety of mixed media and primary colours, said: "I studied Aboriginal, African and American Indian culture at GCSE level and it really inspired me to do further personal research into the tribal practices in those countries.

"My mother is an artist and through her encouragement I started painting my interpretation of what I had learnt."

Admission to the exhibition is free.