ONE STEP FURTHER

(Dancers of the Rampage Dance Company. Pic by Joanna Tang)

Rampage Dance Company will host a new season of The Eastern Evening (TEE) in the Playhouse Drama Theatre on April 21, 2017. The new programme includes exciting dance works performed by six teams representing dance schools from Chatsworth through to Tongaat. Titled One Step Further, this year’s TEE offers a spectrum of dance styles that promises to be entertaining for the entire family.

The Company (RDC) will present a collection of dance work including a colourful display of eastern folk dance reflecting the company’s interest in Bridal Choreography. The festive piece intelligently makes use of various dance styles within a Bollywood framework.

RDC’s Artistic Director, Iqraam Rahim, says he is most proud of the dance work titled Gaye Ja, meaning Keep Singing, which is a tribute to the legacy of freedom fighter Ahmed Kathrada and inspired by his quote: "Not being able to see or interact with children for 20 years was possibly the most difficult thing to endure during my time on Robben Island”.

“RDC, having successfully hosted this project with primary and secondary schools, shines the spotlight this year on Eastern Dance schools, big and small,” explains Rahim. “There is no doubt that Durban, being the blossoming flower that it is, has in recent years sprouted many dance schools, teaching different styles of cultural and traditional dance. Rampage Dance Company shifts focus from dance development in educational institutions to educating dance schools with the benefits of standardizing teaching methods. It is time we empower ourselves with methods of teaching; ultimately impacting the level of dance we produce as a fraternity.”

Competing teams are: Shrenash Dance Company (Chatsworth); Logasen Moodley Dance Company (Chatsworth); N.S Dance Institute (Reservoir Hills); Kumari Shiksha Dance Institute (Phoenix); Team Mountview (Verulam); and Team Seatides - (North Coast). The judges are George Louis Mthembu, Clinton Marius and Evashnee Pillay.

“Sandile Xaba, first introduced to the programme in 2014, will be choreographing for team Mountview,” says Rahim. “With his respect and passion for the performing art, Xaba, a grade 11 Student at Mountview Secondary School, introduced the school to the competition and feels confident enough to position himself as the captain of the team. A product of the TEE programme, Xaba is set to champion the team with his first time ever Indo- South African act.”

Priyal Bhagwandas, a student at Crawford College la Lucia, who was introduced to the TEE programme in 2015, will exhibit her artwork on the evening with a small collection she believes was inspired by the nuances of dance.

The Eastern Evening tickets are R150, available through Computicket outlets at branches of Shoprite Checkers. Phone bookings on 0861 915 8000 or log onto www.computicket.com. Alternatively, bookings can be made via the Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 / 031 369 9596 (office hours).