Dynamic dance fest starts today
THE Port Elizabeth Dance Festival is kicking off its annual event at the Savoy Theatre in Perridgevale with the ballet and national dance section being contested from today until Saturday.
The festival then takes an 11-day break after which it will resume with the modern, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz and tap dance section.
According to convenor Monica Hewitson, this year's festival has attracted more than 1000 participants across all the genres.
Noted ballet adjudicator Wendy Reinhardt would be judging the first week of the festival, starting today, Hewitson said.
Reinhardt, from Durban, is an examiner and fellow of the Cecchetti method of classical ballet.
The festival has also secured another renowned adjudicator for the modern, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz and tap section to be contested early next month.
"Dance adjudicator Brigitte Reeve Taylor will judge this section from Thursday to Saturday September 4 to 6," Hewitson said.
"She is a former professional dancer with the Pace Dance Theatre Company and has conducted master classes around the world, including in Canada, Australia, Seattle and Los Angeles in the US, and London in the UK.
"She also founded Dancers Love Dogs last year to raise funds for mass sterilisations."
With the bulk of the dancers hailing from Bay dance studios, the festival also attracts dancers from Jeffreys Bay, Knysna, Cradock and Grahamstown.
"Dance lovers have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of dancing by all ages, from cute five- and six-year-olds to senior dances in the 18 to 25-year age bracket."
Highlights would be the fierce competition for the titles of junior ballet champion, senior ballet champion, hip-hop champion, tap champion and modern champion, Hewitson said.
"And let's not forget the ensemble items which range from classical groups to cabaret-style production numbers."
Daily sessions start at 11am and continue throughout the day, with evening sessions at 6pm. Tickets are at the door. For more information, contact Monica Hewitson on 083- 471- 8893.
