Dancers set to dazzle at festival

SET against the back drop of the Durban Harbour, the second annual Durban Dance Movement Festival returns to the Catalina theatre on Wilsons Wharf with an array of explosive and vibrant dance performances from 28 to 30 November.

This year promises to be bigger and better as a variety of dance studios, groups, crews, youth groups and professional dancers will showcase their works in hip hop, break dancing and contemporary to ballet and traditional cultural performances.

One of the groups adding their unique flavour to the festival is the Westville based dance crew, Beat Breakers, who recently performed in the finals at the Ushaka entertainment competition. Beat breakers are a dynamic hip hop crew. “I am beyond excited with what the festival has to offer this year and even though we are only in our second year running, the high calibre of dancers this year has already set the bar even higher for next year. Along with celebrating 20 years of democracy, the Durban Dance Movement festival is a true reflection of one of the many milestones achieved in our democracy and what the future holds for our youth and born frees of South Africa today,” said artistic director, Jarryd Watson.

During the weekend festival the groups will have an opportunity to win sponsorships which will be used to further develop their junior and senior level dancers. There will also be a skills dance development workshop which is open to all dancers and people wanting to further their skills in hip hop, break dancing, contemporary and tap dancing on Sunday, 30 November. The workshop will be hosted by the best of Durban choreographers such as Casey Swales (contemporary) bboy Preston ‘kayzo’ Kyd (break dancing) Jarryd Watson (hip hop) and Lynn Totham (tap).

Go along and catch Beat Breakers perform at the senior showcase on Saturday, 29 November from 2.30pm. Other performances during the festival will be hosted on 28 November at 7pm, 29 November at 7pm, 30 November at 2.30pm. The workshop will take place on 30 November at the Playhouse Mayville studios from 8am to noon. Tickets for the festival can be booked at Computicket and to be apart of the workshop is R60. Contact 082 683 9665.