The 2016 Baxter Dance Festival opens with the 40th anniversary revival of Alfred Hinkel’s acclaimed Bolero and John Linden’s Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, in a programme that showcases 65 works over 10 days, this month.
With 65 choreographic works on this year’s line-up, the 2016 Baxter Dance Festival is poised to excite and entertain any dance lover or enthusiast, with a wide variety of genres and styles, at the Baxter Theatre from today, Thursday October 6 to Sunday October 15.
The 12th annual festival opens with two performances only, which celebrate the 40th anniversary revival of Alfred Hinkel’s classic Bolero and John Linden’s Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, today and tomorrw, Thursday October 6 and Friday October 7 at 8pm. Hinkel’s Bolero received critical acclaim over the years and has featured dancers such as Dawn Langdon, John Linden, Heinrich Reisenhofer, Balu Searle, Ananda Fuchs and Sbonakaliso Ndana, among others. This latest revival will be presented by Garage Dance Ensemble with guest performers Levern Botha and Ciara Barron.
Independent dance-makers, choreographers, dancers and teachers, will descend on the Baxter for 10 days to present a diverse and dynamic line-up, guaranteed to suit all tastes which range from contemporary, modern and classical to flamenco, tap and traditional dance forms.
One of the innovations this year is the newly introduced special package which allows audiences access to seven different performances on the Main Programme for just R250.
The Baxter Dance Festival continues its success of showcasing some of the best in local dance and also includes a host of dynamic works by choreographers from other regions and countries such as Okiep in Namaqualand (Alfred Hinkel, John Linden, Byron Klaasen), Johannesburg (Luyanda Sidiya), Canada (Josh Beamish) and Namibia (Hamish Olivier).
The Main Programme takes place from Thursday October 6 to Sunday October 15 at 8pm, and will feature over 30 works of various lengths, by established professionals, including choreographers such as Abeedah Medell, Allison Hendricks, Bonwa Mbontsi, Ashleigh Joubert, Tegan Peacock, Celeste Botha, Marlon Zoutman, Ciara Baldwin, Nathan Bartman, Grace Barnes, Kitty Phelta, Kristy Brown, Landa de Jager, Leticia Fisher, Michelle Reid, Mthuthuzeli November, Mziyanda Mancam, Paul Johnson, Simone Marshall, Thami Njoko, Zethu Mtati, Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf, Kirvan Fortuin, Saskia Wicomb, Sbonakaliso Ndaba, Lindy Raizenberg, Nadine Buys, Phindile Kula, Sifiso Kweyama, Bruno Wani, Ebrahim Medell, Thalia Laric, Kristina Johnstone, Iesu Escalante and Mishkaah Medell.
The Off Main programme, which takes place on Saturday, 8 October at 5pm, will showcase 17 different works by up-and-coming choreographers while the Fringe programme on Saturday, 15 October at 2pm will include 19 works by youth groups, dance studios, school groups and traditional dance groups.
Louise Coetzer’s In C is the 2016 commissioned piece performed by Darkroom Contemporary, in collaboration with music duo Without Eyes and can be seen on the Main Programme from Monday October 10 to Saturday October 15.
This year marks the first time that Cape Town City Ballet and well-known choreographer Lindy Raizenberg will be on the programme.
Other highlights include a work by the late Phyllis Spira (performed by Dance For All) and Mthuthuzeli November who recently joined Ballet Black in the UK.
Book through Computicket.
For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za.
You can also contact Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
The full programme may be viewed online at www.baxter.co.za or on facebook.com/Baxter
Theatre.
Ends
For further media enquiries please contact Fahiem Stellenboom on 021 680 3971, email fahiem.stellenboom@uct.ac.za or Andiswa Gumbi on 021 680 3973 or email andiswa.gumbi@uct.ac.za.
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