108 Dance Movement hosts its annual fest in Randburg

The 108 Dance Movement recently held its annual festival in Randburg where dancers competed to be the best and also teamed up to learn from the best.

At the movement conference on 26 May – a highlight of the festival that took place a day before the dance final – experts told dancers what it really takes to be successful ‘out there’.

Lawyer Khomotso Makapane, one of the speakers at the conference, said dance will not be relevant while dance schools are divided.

“As a collective, you are stronger than one. If you represent yourselves as a collective there is nothing that will stop you.”

The conference welcomed speakers like Vouks NoJokes, Kim Sineke, Kgomotso Moidemeng and Mullin Krienkem, industry professionals keen to pass on some critical know-how. Their advice ranged from handling finances, your rights as a dancer, public relations to entering the world of theatre.

All the speakers agreed that dance can be a very successful career if you work hard and when you have a positive attitude.

Sineke, a public relations expert, and NoJokes, already a successfully signed dancer, said the main goal should not be to become famous for a short while but to build a reliable brand that will remain and bring income after dancers can no longer perform physically.

The organiser and founder behind the festival and 108 Dance Movement, Darim Da Paixao, said he wanted to see growth in the dance industry in Africa, through the movement and the festival.

“A lot of dancers end up not knowing where they belong in the industry. Through this festival and conference, we aim to teach the next generation of dancers about the industry so that they are more prepared for it as a career.”

The festival final, themed Deep Sea Final, took place at the Rhema Bible Church North venue the next day where dancers showcased various genres like break dancing, krump and house.

Winners of the main event were:

Junior Crew: Krpz Gents

Senior Crew: Dye-Namic

Bboy: Bax

Popping: Bugs

HipHop Kids: Aiden

HipHop Junior: Jor-Line

All Style: Lucretious

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