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Dance couple host fundraiser

Durban dance couple Grame Eksteen and Tina Costas are raising funds so they can compete int he World Latin Championships in the Czech Republic later this year.

DURBAN dancer, Graeme Eksteen and his dance partner, Tina Costas, have been selected to represent South Africa in the World Latin Championships in the Czech Republic on 2 November.

Graeme, who has been dancing competitively since 2007, inherited his mother’s dance and rythmn genes. His mum was a dancer with the South African Entertainment Unit during World War Two in North Africa and Italy. Sadly, she passed away in 2002 after losing her battle to ovarian cancer and never saw her only son pursue one of her greatest passions in life, dancing.

Graeme has been a cast member of the local Shall We Dance stage production for both the 2010 and 2011 and has also participated in other dance stage productions at The Playhouse, Sibaya and The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatres.

The couple are ecstatic to have been chosen to represent South Africa in the Czech Republic. This came after they were selected to represent KwaZulu-Natal in Latin American Competitive Dancing in 2012.

In order to achieve these goals, they have travelled around South Africa competing in dance competitions.

“We are very stressed for what lies ahead, but very excited! Our wish has been realised and the hard work has paid off. We have been awarded our South African colours for Latin American Dancing, which was achieved by participating in all the local qualifying competitions in Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Pietermatitzburg, Newcastle, Oudtshoorn and finally in Polokwane at the South African National Championships in December 2012. We are however, facing the challenge of having to fund the trip to Europe. Although we are part of the South African national side, the Department of Sports and Recreation does not supply funding for the trip,” said Graeme.

To assist the couple in making this a reality, they will be holding a fundraiser at The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway, on 10 August at 8pm, with the show, We Are The Champions.

The show is the tribute of all tributes, celebrating the music of the some of the greatest pop icons of all time – Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink and Freddie Mercury. It features a 10-piece cast and the lead vocalists look like, sound like and pay tribute to these incredible artists with passion, soul and authenticity.

“The community’s commitment to this fundraiser will be helping two young dancers on the way to gaining international exposure for South Africa and perhaps even bringing home a trophy,” said Graeme.

Tickets are R140 per person, excluding food and drinks. Each person who brings in a full table of 10x guests will receive a free ticket for the show. To book, contact Graeme on 082 406 8505 or sergei29@hotmail.com

The couple is also happy to receive donations should anyone wish to support them and are not able to go to the fundraiser.

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