Arts writer
THE upcoming 2015 Baxter Dance Festival, which will be staged from October 8 to 17, will launch with the acclaimed riel dansers ensemble, The Nuwe Graskoue Trappers, on October 8 at 8pm and Mamela Nyamza and Neliswe Xaba’s The Last Attitude on October 9 at 8pm. There will only be one performance each by these two companies.
Following the resounding success of the 10th anniversary last year, this year’s line-up will showcase a record number of 78 works by choreographers, with some 400 dancers representing dance studios, schools, companies, groups, independent dance-makers and choreographers from all over the Western Cape.
Despite limited funding the hugely popular festival is widely regarded as the premier dance platform of its kind and has become an annual not-to-be-missed event on the local calendar for dance, movement and theatre enthusiasts.
It is the perfect environment to experience and see work by established professionals, as well as up-and-coming practitioners.
It also provides emerging and established dance companies and choreographers with an opportunity to present their work, whilst striving to nurture and promote the diverse dance talent in the Western Cape.
Since its inception in 2004 the festival has left an indelible mark on the performing arts landscape.
Close to 600 local choreographers have presented their work, featuring nearly 5 000 dancers from more than 500 studios, dance schools, projects and professional companies in a wide variety of dance styles and genres including contemporary, classical, African, modern and Spanish.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners and sponsors who have really helped us to make this festival possible – The Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation, Tsogo Sun, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and Distell”, says Nicolette Moses, artistic director of the Baxter Dance Festival. “The growth each year coupled with the interest, support and numbers of the dance community is testament to the need for such a platform. It has helped to shape the lives of aspiring dancers and choreographers, which have, in turn, impacted the local dance landscape positively.”
The Main Programme from October 8 to 16 at 8pm will feature works of various lengths by established professionals.
It includes choreographers such as Abeedah Medell, Adele Blank, Anderson Carvalho, Belinda Nusser, Douglas Griffths, Kristina Johnstone, Cilna Katzke, Louise Coetzer, Mthuthuzeli November, Tercia Amsterdam, Bradley Shelver, Celeste Botha, Marlin Zoutman, Ebrahim Medell, Yaseen Manuel, Zoey Lapinsky, Ananda Fuchs, Byron Klassen, Gabriella Bishop, Mishkaah Medell, Mzokuthula Gasa, Sbonakliso Ndaba and Shaun Oelf.
The Off Main programme on October 10 at 5pm will showcase 22 different works by up-and-coming choreographers, while the Fringe programme on October 17 at 2pm will include 33 works by youth groups, dance studios, school groups and traditional dance groups.
There is no commissioned work this year
l Book: 0861 915 8000, www.com puticket, Shoprite Checkers. Programme schedule: www.baxter.co.za, facebook.com/Baxter Theatre.