All the world’s a stage for Bay dance fans over the next week or so when they can savour Spanish, Middle-Eastern, Irish and African dance productions.
AFRICAN TRIBUTE
The toe-tapping spree starts on Thursday November 29 with Cape Town-based choreographer Mzo Gasa’s jazz-influenced production of Dear Zim, We Dance Like This! at the PE Opera House.
Conceptualised by Opera House general manager Monde Ngonyama, Dear Zim, We Dance Like This! will be set to music by the late saxophonist Zim Ngqawana and follows shortly after the Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival on Saturday November 24 which featured the Zim Ngqawana Tribute Big Band.
Western Cape-based choreographer Gasa has been rehearsing his cast intensively to create a  show which celebrates the life and times of the late jazz legend.
It will be performed by Lwandiso Ntshume, Wezile Mgibe, Nathi Mngomezulu, Asanda Hanabe, Lusanda Dayimani, Mandilakhe Gwashu, Nomfundo Hlongwe, Siyanda Malindonga and Nkemiseng Khena.
Dear Zim, We Dance Like This! is at the Barn Theatre from November 28 to December 1. Tickets are R100 (R150 double, R50 pensioners and students), on sale at the Opera House.
Further information from Cingiwe, 041-586-2256.
IRISH FUND-RAISER
Irish dancing is up next at the Savoy Theatre with The Rising presented by the McWilliams Academy of Dance on Friday November 30 and Saturday December 1.
The Rising will feature new choreography as well as the Dans in Jou Taal-winning performance of Warriors and a performance by guest artist Annaline Stiglingh.
The show is a fundraiser for 10 dancers at the McWilliams studio dancers who have qualified for the world championships in North Carolina, USA, in April 2019.
The Rising is at 7pm, and tickets cost R120 for adults and R80 for scholars and pensioners. Further information from Benita, 083-733-3792.
ORIENTAL DANCE SHOW
Zahra’s Oriental Dance Studio is presenting presents its annual student showcase on Saturday December 1 at the Open Door Assembly of God Westpoint in Westering, Port Elizabeth.
“This year we are having a High Tea Hafla and collecting goodies for the children of Latitha Ilanga Educare in Greenbushes,” said Melanie Wallis, one of the owners of the studio.
Hafla in Arabic means party, and belly dancers around the world call their get-togethers and events a hafla.
Zahra's studio is joined this year by Gigi, the stage name of a belly dancer based in Makhanda (Grahamstown).
“We have collaborated to bring a jam-packed programme of various forms of oriental belly dance," Wallis said.
The hafla will begin at 3pm at the venue in Brand Street, Westering and the cost is R50, plus a small item for the children’s hamper. Further information, and tickets, from Melanie, 084-552-3187.
FLAMENCO FLAIR
Flamenco de Algoa presents its Fiesta Flamenca at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday and Monday December 2 and 3.
The Port Elizabeth dance school founder and instructor Clive Bain – also known as Carlos – is one of the world’s top flamenco instructors.
This year Carlos will perform alongside special guests Ché Adams from Cape Town, Komani Hara from Johannesburg and internationally renowned flamenco guitarist Demi Fernandez from KwaZulu-Natal.
They will perform with 22 dancers from Flamenco de Algoa’s studio, including Liezl Ridley and Margarita Moran.
Fiesta Flamenca is at 4pm on Sunday and 5pm on Monday. Tickets are R100 on sale at Computicket, with a percentage of the proceeds to go to Giving Gifts of Love to New Born Babies in Need in PE. Further information from Rose, 072-906-1977, rose@salarybase.co.za