Dance and musical fans anticipating the Columbus, OH, leg of the national tour of Footloose will get into the act Jan. 30 at a "Footloose Dance Event" sponsored by the Broadway Series at the Ohio Theatre.

Pre-selected area dance groups are learning sections of choreographer A.C. Ciulla's work (set to the title tune) by viewing a video instruction tape. A Footloose dance instructor will be on hand to help lead anyone else interested in taking part 1 PM Jan. 30 at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe (1421 Olentangy River Road, Columbus).

Similar Footloose "dance events" are being held around the country. All participants will receive a special Footloose memento. No pre- registration is necessary.

Performances of the national tour of Footloose at the Ohio Theatre are Feb. 2-7. For ticket information, call (614) 431-3600.

The stage musical based on the 1984 film about an ex-city boy who challenges a small-town law against dancing, was not embraced by critics when it opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre Oct. 22, 1998, but young people in search of a pop sound, baby boomers eager for the nostalgic chart-topping score, and parents hungry for something family-oriented have kept the box office thriving on Broadway. The original cast album is expected to be released in February.