Taking time to reflect

KNYSNA NEWS - Dancers of the Carmen's School of Dance recently presented a special three-show dance showcase at Cearn Hall on Leisure Isle.

The showcase was particularly special for the studio as it was their first actual concert for a live audience in two years.

They did however compete in competitions throughout the year, where performing for judges in person was a welcome contrast to 2020 when they had to take part in competitions virtually.

This element was also pivotal in their end-of-year showcase, Reflections. It served as a way for the audience to experience the dance pieces that Carmen's dancers have performed at the competitions. Reflections was held in the form of three shows over two days, one on Friday 10 December and two on Saturday 11 December.

The performance was set up in a manner that reflected the title. With seats in a square formation around a central dance area, each side mirrored the other. The programme was made up of 24 dance items, and dancers alternated the directions they faced from one item to the next.

Dominique Jacobs prepares to get her Hidden Fairies item started.

The dances were arranged into six different 'sets' that were separated by feedback from the dance studio on their numerous achievements at competitions this year.

Carmen's dancers have excelled throughout 2021, and this was evident in the skills they showed during the performance.

They were expressive and adept, perfectly showing just why they have achieved the accolades throughout the year. The programme ended off with a special item that the school has not yet performed at a competition.

This offered the audience the chance to experience a brand-new performance that no one else had seen before. The dancers will undoubtedly receive a few more awards in the year/s to come.

Mikayla van Rooyenin her Tyrolean performance.