July 30, 2007

Dance, Young People Dance








And that overweight Irish stepdancer has the bloody cheek to call himself "Lord of the Dance"!

Well, he wasn't at the Amphimarket down on Durban's beachfront on Sunday afternoon when KZN DanceLink presented its annual Youth Dance performance - Giyani Lusha, when over 80 young people from around Durban performed in two exuberant, energetic pieces choreographed by Sbonakaliso Ndaba and Ntombi Gasa, assisted by Varsa Sharma - and absolutely delighted the audience.

The dancers all came from different dance groups and got together in the holidays to rehearse for this annual performance, where they get an opportunity to delight an audience.

Oh, and the Lord of the Dance – well he is the young man I photographed so much. I don’t think he is a professional dancer – I don’t even know his name, but he moved me deeply with his passion and focus and his body that painted such graceful pictures for my camera.

It is sad that there is so little funding for dance in Durban when dance is such a universal, intercultural way of communication.

Yesterday, out there on the lawn, eating ice-crams and slap-chips and samoosas were people of all ages and cultures with families – toddles and grannies alike enjoying the dance performances.

Let me not forget the amazing Kwa Zulu Natal Field Band. Those kids seem to be having a big jorl. They are great- This is also an organization that deserves support. Check out their website.

For more photos of the dancers and the Field Band check out Flickr

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