The tea dance was the first of 140 events that will be hosted during the City of Culture year.

BBC: First 2013 UK City of Culture event held in Derry

The Mayor's Tea Dance is a monthly initiative and will take place in different communities across the city all year.

BBC: First 2013 UK City of Culture event held in Derry

About 1, 000 people gathered at The Venue at the former Ebrington Barracks site on Saturday for the city's largest ever tea dance.

BBC: First 2013 UK City of Culture event held in Derry

The island's primary schools have also been involved in anniversary celebrations, with assemblies, a tea dance and poetry, poster and art competitions.

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The tea dance harked back to the city's once booming ballroom era.

BBC: First 2013 UK City of Culture event held in Derry

Elsewhere, 32 towns and cities will host 200 hours of festivities including an aerial tightrope walk in Coventry, a world record sing-a-long attempt in Manchester and the UK's biggest tea dance in Plymouth.

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Margaret Danes is a regular tea dance goer.

BBC: First 2013 UK City of Culture event held in Derry

Whirl in giant teapots at The Mad Tea Party in the Magic Kingdom Park, dance to Aerosmith on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios, or spot giraffes during a Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

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When we owned and operated a fried chicken franchise, one of our promotions involved 800 gallons of iced tea, 20, 000 nickels, and a couple of dozen high school cheerleaders and dance team members.

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