Dancing talent abounds

KNYSNA NEWS - While many participants preferred to audition online by submitting audition video clips, the walk-in auditions for the Knysna dance talent search took place on Thursday 23 September in George.

CEO and dance practitioner of Rhythmical Seeds dance company, Lizette Gerber, facilitated the call-back workshop on Friday 24 September where the participants who made it through the first round were given training in auditioning skills, performance preparations and interpretation.

The filming of the WC Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport's (Dcas) first online dance showcase took place on Saturday 25 September and the competition was fierce.

The dance genres included acrobatic dance, classical ballet, contemporary, African, jazz, freestyle and Kwaito. There were many first-time experiences for dancers during Dcas' recording of the showcase, which served as a special Heritage Weekend performance as well as the first collaborative project between Dcas and Rhythmical Seeds.

It was also the first time the NG Kerk Die Vleie would be the venue for the recording of an online showcase. Dawie le Roux, pastor at Die Vleie congregation, excitedly informed the facilitator, "I love to hear the music, it makes the church sound so awake".

The variety of amazing dance talent which was showcased was a true reflection and celebration of the varied heritage and colourful cultural backgrounds within the Eden District.

The performances varied in concept, but there was a strong sense of self-pride that was evident in each performance. Most impressive and noteworthy was the camaraderie among the handful of supportive parents and spectators, who were not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Parents were eager to assist, from measuring participants' temperatures to a father fixing drapes to block out the sunlight so the lighting would create a particular atmosphere for each performance. For many of the participants from Knysna, Mossel Bay, George, Khayalethu South, Hoekwil and Sedgefield, the talent search was their first "semi-professional" showcase opportunity.

The project created a platform for networking and engagement and there was talk of potential future collaborations between Dcas, local government, Rhythmical Seeds, practitioners of arts and culture, organisations and the youth in the Knysna area.