DURBAN’S popular dance showcase, Shall We Dance, celebrates its 21st season this year at The Playhouse Opera from 13 to 21 September.
The ever-popular Ballroom and Latin American showcase presents its comprehensive annual dance extravaganza which features approximately 100 of the region’s most exciting dancers as well as top award-winning industry professionals.
The featured couples this year are Ryan Hammond and Lindsey Muckle – the duo are currently performing on Strictly Come Dancing SA and are the undefeated British Latin American Show Dance Champions.
Adding to the Latin dancers, Hammond’s baby brother, Darren will pair with Milla Lykke Nielson from Denmark. Ballroom is provided by Penwell Nhlapo from Gauteng and Yulia Kharlova from Russia, and Durban’s own Statik return to the stage.
Darren and Milla both have an impressive record of international recognition. The partnership is much anticipated and they have already ranked highly in competitions in Blackpool and Mannheim, Germany this year.
Reigning SADTA Professional Ballroom champions Penwell and Yulia have represented South Africa internationally in 2011-2012 at prestigious dance events such as the Open International Championship in England, World Professional Standard Championship in South Korea, the Dutch Open Championship in Holland and the WDC World Professional Ballroom Championship in England.
Directed by Neville Letard and Caryl Cusens, Shall We Dance promises to delight audiences with its carefully-chosen mix of quality dance with an underlying Ballroom and Latin American feel.
Other featured dance styles are ballet, belly dance, hip-hop, line dance, modern, Spanish, and tap. The MC is once again East Coast Radio’s Damon Beard.
It is presented by the Playhouse Company in association with the South African Dance Teachers’ Association, with a supporting grant from Business and Arts South Africa.
For information about charity performances and to book, call Computicket on 0861 915 8000.
WIN WIN WIN
Five lucky readers can win a pair of tickets to the opening night on Friday 13 September at 7.30pm. Send your name, surname and contact number in an e-mail to compline@dbn.caxton.co.za with ‘Shall We Dance’ in the subject line. Emails that do not have ‘Shall We Dance’ in the email subject line will not be entered into the competition. The competition closes at midnight on Wednesday 11 September. Good luck.
