(Some of the dancers
who appeared at the 2013 Giyani Lusha)
Tap into
the heart beat of the city on February 28 when KZN DanceLink presents Giyani Lusha, a celebration of the
province’s youth dance culture. Featuring performances by 10 of the city’s
young development dance groups, the vibrant programme will culminate in the KZN
DanceLink Durban Dance Awards 2015.
Started in
2002 by KZN DanceLink to acknowledge and nurture young aspirant dancers, Giyani Lusha was traditionally held on
the Durban beachfront, but this year it finds a new home at the historic Stable
Theatre in 115 Johannes Nkosi Street (formerly Alice Street) opposite the bus depot – in the
very heart of the city.
With
artistic direction by the Flatfoot Dance Company, guests will be treated to
exuberant dance pieces by Durban’s rising stars, including Bright Sparks
(Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre), Dance Movement, Flatfoot ADD programme, Flatfoot
Siyakhula and Newlands programme, Flatfoot Dudlu Ntombi programme, Igugu
Labasha (Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre), Imvelo Traditional Dance, KwaMashu School
of Dance, Minette de Klerk Dance Academy and Ubuhle Besintu.
The
exciting programme will be followed by the presentation of the KZN DanceLink
Durban Dance Awards in the categories Breakthrough/Newcomer, Dancer,
Choreographer and, finally, the Abalolongi Award for services to dance in
KwaZulu-Natal.
The awards
will be presented by acclaimed Durban photographer Val Adamson who is one of
the country’s most prolific and respected dance photographers.
Lynn Maree,
dedicated chairman of KZN Dance Link, who retired last year after her move to
the UK, said KZN DanceLink began its large-scale youth dance performance
project, which became Giyani Lusha, in 2000. “With almost no exception it has
been held annually, and the venue has often been a surprise. We began out at
God's Golden Acre, and many will remember the rolling hills in the distance,
and the clothes hanging on the fence just behind the stage.
“We moved to the Amphitheatre, with the sea in the
background, and an audience high up in the eLangeni Hotel, and moved with it
across the road when the city council moved the Amphimarket,” she continues. “And
then in 2013, we came back in style to the old Amphitheatre gardens and took
over the whole beachfront. Always it has depended on funding and the vagaries
of the city. And now, ever resourceful, we find ourselves in The Stable
Theatre, still trying to bring our young dancers together, as linked as
possible.”
She said, though KZN Dance Link owed a great deal to the
Lotteries Board, its greatest debt for Giyani Lusha for “consistency of
support, and a lively understanding of our worth, and our resilience, is to the
National Arts Council”, which is supporting this year’s event.
Giyani
Lusha takes place at 14h00 on February 28 at Stable Theatre. Entrance is
free and secure parking is available on site. More information from Ntokozo on 078
860 3168.
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