Arts writer
DANCE for All's annual production Kaleidoscope will unfold on stage as part of the Youth Day celebrations at Artscape Theatre on Saturday at 8.15pm, Sunday at 3pm and June 16 at 3pm.
The concept of the production takes on a slightly different angle this year, it as it explores the idea of a kaleidoscope being a mirror-filled cylinder which, with the twist of a hand, brings a constantly changing pattern to random collections of coloured glass.
Just as people marvel at the patterns created by a kaleidoscope, so Dance for All aims to showcase the human face and emotions of its young dancers as unique, diverse individuals who together create something beautiful, through dance.
The Kaleidoscope production includes a variety of different dance genres and styles in five choreographed pieces. Styles include ballet, contemporary, flamenco and African contemporary.
The choreographers behind the works are Anderson Carvalho, Daniela di Lorenzo, Allison Hendricks, Ché Adams, Louise Coetzer, Hope Nongqongqo and Lorraine Ndindwa. The dancers in this production come from various communities, including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Delft, Elsies River, Kuils River, Mitchells Plain and Athlone. Some of them have been with Dance for All since the age of 10 and have literally grown up with the organisation.
“For the past few years Dance for All has had the privilege of performing at the magnificent Artscape Theatre. Marlene Le Roux, director of audience development at Artscape and patron of Dance for All has made this possible,” says Philip Boyd, fouder and CEO of Dance for All. “It is a huge privilege for our students to perform in a professional setting. This environment has been a spring board for former students who landed overseas jobs.”
Kaleidoscope is dedicated to the late Christopher Kindo, previous dance teacher and choreographer with Dance for All.
The company also has an extensive outreach programme in Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayeltisha, Delft, Kenilworth and a rural outreach programme in Montagu, Barrydale and Paarl.
They are constantly seeking funding to continue running programmes in disadvantaged areas.
l Tickets: R50 – R100, 0861 915 8000, or Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695.