RHYTHM, ENERGY AND COLOUR SHOWCASED AT THE V&A WATERFRONT CELEBRATION OF DANCE

The V&A Waterfront is set to become the choice entertainment destination of Cape Town from November through to January 2013, kicking off the stellar line-up with a weekend dedicated to the Celebration of Dance at the Amphitheatre.  Popular performers Afrika Ablaze will be followed by the Ivy Meyer Dance Academy on Saturday, 3 November, continuing through to Sunday, 4 November with a performance of Heal the Hood.

Afrika Ablaze, first conceptualised in 1999 by Glenda Jones, has received numerous accolades over the past 13 years, performing to standing ovations in quality theatres and at popular festivals throughout the country. Bursting with energy, creativity and colour, the choreography for the 40-minute show incorporates a collection of modern African dancers and performing artists.

Afrika Ablaze was born in the gangland area of Cape Town’s Cape Flats when Jones, who had no formal dance training, aspired to rise above her circumstances by teaching herself to dance, choreograph and produce her own dance performances.

The Ivy Meyer Dance Academy follows Afrika Ablaze with a dynamic, fast-paced urban dance show filled with variety.  Operating out of communities in Strandfontein, Mitchell’s Plain, Retreat and Hout Bay, the Academy offers youngsters the opportunity to further their dance careers.  Classes are offered in popular hip-hop and high tempo modern dancing which incorporates both ballet and jazz movements. The school is the top hip-hop streetdancing school in South Africa.

On Sunday, the audience will have the chance to witness the astonishing break-dancing skills of Emil YX, Black Noise, Immortal Style and Objects in Motion in the Heal the Hood.  Winners of the African Hip Hop Indaba, they will showcase Cape Town’s best break-dancers, rappers, DJ’s, spraycan artists and more.

On Saturday the Africa Ablaze performance starts at 18h00, followed by the Ivy Meyer Dance Academy at 18h45.  On Sunday, Heal the Hood will start at 18h00.  All performances are free.

Date: Saturday, 3 November
Time: 18h00 to 18h40 – Afrika Ablaze – 18h45 to 19h30 – Ivy Meyer Dance Academy
Date: Sunday, 4 November
Time: 18h00 to 19h00 – Heal the Hood
Venue: V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
Cost: Free