Celebration of dance at Stable Theatre

TAP into the heart beat of the city this Saturday, 28 February at 2pm when KZN DanceLink presents Giyani Lusha, a celebration of the province’s youth dance culture at The Stable Theatre.

The dance showcases performances by 10 of the city’s young development dance groups and the vibrant programme will culminate in the KZN DanceLink Durban Dance Awards 2015.

Giyani Lusha was traditionally held on the Durban beachfront to acknowledge and nurture young aspirant dancers, but this year it finds a new home at the historic Stable Theatre in Alice Street.

With artistic direction by the Flatfoot Dance Company, guests will be treated to exuberant dance pieces by Durban’s rising stars, including Bright Sparks (Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre), Dance Movement, Flatfoot ADD programme, Flatfoot Siyakhula and Newlands programme, Flatfoot Dudlu Ntombi programme, Igugu Labasha (Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre), Imvelo Traditional Dance, KwaMashu School of Dance, Minette de Klerk Dance Academy and Ubuhle Besintu.

The exciting programme will be followed by the presentation of the KZN DanceLink Durban Dance Awards in the categories Breakthrough/Newcomer, Dancer, Choreographer and, finally, the Abalolongi Award for services to dance in KwaZulu-Natal.

The awards will be presented by acclaimed Durban photographer, Val Adamson, who is one of the country’s most prolific and respected dance photographers.

Lynn Maree, KZN DanceLink chairperson, said KZN DanceLink began its large-scale youth dance performance project, which became Giyani Lusha, in 2000. “With almost no exception it has been held annually, and the venue has often been a surprise. We began out at God's Golden Acre, and many will remember the rolling hills in the distance and the clothes hanging on the fence just behind the stage.

“We moved to the Amphitheatre, with the sea in the background and an audience high up in the eLangeni Hotel, and moved with it across the road when the city council moved the Amphimarket. And in 2013 we came back in style to the old Amphitheatre gardens and took over the whole beachfront.

“It has always depended on funding and the vagaries of the city. And now, ever resourceful, we find ourselves in The Stable Theatre, still trying to bring our young dancers together to be as linked as possible,” added Maree.

Entrance is free and secure parking is available at The Stable Theatre.