(Layla Shah, Lakreshia Naidoo, Unati
Chiliza, Melanka Nurasiaha, Dianca Govender
& Shivek Jairajh. Pic by Val
Adamson)
The game is on!
Standby for a thrilling dance-off in an evening of spectacular choreography
that showcases uber-talented youngsters and seasoned professionals. Set to wow
audience members from all communities, The
Eastern Evening, spearheaded by Durban dance luminary Iqraam Rahim,
features a dazzling fusion of dance styles, ranging from Bollywood to Indian
Classical dance, from Hip-Hop and Pantsula, to Disco and more...
International dance
icon Kshitij Vaishnav is flying out from India especially to choreograph the
routines performed by the school teams involved in the event. Trained under the
internationally renowned dance brand Shiamak Davar, Vaishnav has 20 years of
formal training in almost every genre of dance, and has worked with scores of
Bollywood stars.
Building on the
concept of ‘Eastern Evenings’, the fun-filled project introduces the joy of
dance to high school pupils, affording them a prime opportunity to compete
against each other as they showcase their skills on a public platform. The
exciting new venture is the brainchild of Rahim, a veteran in Durban’s dance
industry and founder of his Rampage Dance Company.
“The Eastern Evening will sparkle with
dance that is fresh and out-there”, says Rahim. “The significance of cultural
practice as well as cultural tolerance is incalculable, and is sadly lacking in
our education system. To embrace a progressive South African culture, it is
imperative we engage with students and create dialogue with them so they have a
space in which to voice their opinions and speak back to their own cultural
identities.
“Eastern evenings
are particularly popular amongst the youth, but constraints such as lack of
funding, professional facilitation and support that often prevent high school
students from experiencing these culturally significant moments,” he adds. “We
intend to keep this spirit alive through a tailor-made process that gives
students the ultimate dance experience.”
Rahim trained under
the tutelage of the Nateshwar Dance Academy, completing numerous Shiamak Davar
courses in India during his flourishing career. He now holds the position of
Senior Dance Instructor at the academy. Passionate about education through dance,
Rahim and his talented team plan to facilitate dance development programmes in
South Africa, in the quest to raise the local dance bar to an international
standard.
Rahim’s inaugural Eastern Evening will see Crawford
College North Coast competing against Northwood Boys for a cash prize of R5,000.
In addition, the prize also carries 10 hour-long choreographic sessions from
Rampage Dance Company with a total value of R20,000 for the winning team’s next
independent Eastern Evening. Selected
participants who show outstanding potential will also be profiled on the
evening. A panel of well-known experts in the field of dance and the performing
arts will judge the competition.
The public will also
be treated to a guest performance by stage, radio, television and film
celebrity, Kajal Bagwandeen, in a sizzling routine choreographed by Rahim. He
will also choreograph the rest of the professional component of the event,
featuring dancers from D&C Dance International under the Rampage Brand.
SABC 2 and LotusFM personality, Shirdika Pillay, also appears on the programme.
The Eastern Evening takes place in Playhouse Opera Theatre on August
13 at 19h00. Tickets R120 or R150. Early booking is strongly advised through
Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Alternatively, call The Playhouse Box
Office on 031 369 9540 (office hours).
Posts
