DCAS dance programme culminates in innovative outdoor solo dance show

An intensive dance training course culminated in an extraordinary performance on Friday 15 November, as the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted a production not inside, but on the veranda of the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.
 
Kaapse Dans Solo saw young dancers perform solo routines which they had perfected in master classes over the preceding weeks.
 
The classes were held at Dance for All and Chrysalis Dance Academy and were presented by Mavian Adams of Jazz Art and Bruno Wanie and Yasseme Manuel from Dance for All. 
 
Liezl Jansen, Deputy Director for Arts, Culture and Language and manager of the Arts Development Unit at DCAS, explained the value behind the programme.
 
“The programme is aimed at promoting individual dancers and developing their capabilities as choreographers each year. We roll out the programme and it is informed by a national theme. This time we had seven dancers who were identified from across the Cape Metro,” she said. 
 
“They were taken through a one-week workshop process and then a one-week  mentorship process where they were mentored by experienced dancers and choreographers on how to put their own pieces together.”
 
The setting under the Cape Town sky was complemented by the Artscape building as a backdrop, and the stylish décor of African masks and artwork accentuated the day’s theme Indigenous Me.
 
The audience members started arriving at 17:00 and were entertained by a live marimba band until the show commenced at 18:00. The performance was opened by singer Leizl Zindo performing Zafi’ Ngane.
 
Each participant got the opportunity to showcase their own choreographed work in line with the theme. The dance work spoke about self-discovery, finding your own light and African revolution, to name a few.
 
The Kaapse Dans Solo programme was started three years ago and Friday’s performance was the second to take place this year, following an event held in March in the Artscape. 
 
DCAS strives to provide talented dancers with opportunities to hone their talent. BETTER TOGETHER