HOPING to raise some much-needed money to keep their doors open, the Dance Movement, who will be hosting a fundraiser, is calling on the community and businesses to support them.
The fundraiser will be held at the Transhaven Centre in Treasure beach on June 24, at 18:00.
The Dance Movement, which is a project that was started 16 years ago, and is administered under the non-profit organisation, the Wentworth Arts and Culture Organisation, has created a platform for more than 6100 youth from the Wentworth and surrounding communities, to express themselves through the art of dance.
Jarryd Watson, an artistic director, who created the project in 2007, said it offers skills development, arts education, workshops, and dance lessons for all those interested in dance.
“The project has serviced thousands of disadvantaged children, youth, people living with disabilities and marginalised communities through dance and empowered them with the arts.
“It is a great feeling being able to run the project, which has added so much value to lives of the youth and impacted community development.
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Watson said at the fundraiser, those in attendance will be left in awe with the performer lineup. He said among the performers are wheelchair dancer, Kyle Bowles, and dancer, Jackie Linda.
Bowles said he joined Dance Movement’s inclusive special needs disabled training development programme in 2022, where he honed his dance skills in hip hop and contemporary dance.
He said he has had the opportunity to perform in four festivals at the Playhouse, dance productions and at corporate gigs.
“I am so happy to be a part of Dance Movement. I have not only developed my dancing skills, but also my entrepreneurial and business administration skills for the arts. It has given me the opportunity to create employment for myself and as disabled person, given me a platform for my voice to be heard,” said Bowles.
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Linda, 20, who joined Dance Movement at the age of seven, is now a professional dancer, having performed in many dance productions and corporate gigs.
She said through Dance Movement she has also received many awards, including first place at the 2019 United Dance Organisation (UDO) World Championships street dance competition in Blackpool, UK, where she represented South Africa with the Dance Movement team.
“Dance Movement has really given me a solid foundation to become a professional dancer in this tough industry. I am thankful to Jarryd for all his sacrifices and commitment. He has empowered me as a young woman to achieve bigger dreams, as I get ready to depart for Australia to continue my career there,” said Linda.
Watson said all proceeds go towards the development of the programmes and keeping their doors open.
“We appeal to businesses and corporates to invest in our event and purchase a table at the fundraiser,” he said.
For more information, contact Watson on 082 683 9665.
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