MUSIC

SIWELA SONKE TAKES OFF!

The official launch season of Siwela Sonke, KZN's first contemporary dance company, takes place from April 20 to May 4 in Playhouse's Sanlam Loft.

In the programme will be six new works including Medley, a rhythm-based con- temporary work "that explores different indigenous, classical and contemporary dances juxtaposed next to and then conversing with each other."

Testimonies

, a new work choreographed by the company's artistic director, Jay Pather, is danced in contemporary style and is based on testimonies given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A Shostokovich cello concerto is said to "haunt the movements of the actors who seek truth and examine the painful difficulties and ambiguities around reconciliation."

After the Playhouse season Siwela Sonke will tour KZN with a programme featuring Medley and Heritage. Clair Fourie and Simpiwe Magazi will also perform a dance theatre excerpt based on Shakespeare's Othello.

STEPPING STONES

The Stepping Stones

programme of the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella provides a cohesive platform for new and up-and-coming choreographers and youth groups. The two performances held last month showcased more than 55 new danceworks, ranging from physical theatre, fusion and pantsula to perfor-mance art, modern ballet and gumboots.

Three choreographers were awarded Pick of the Stepping Stones awards. These were Tony Campbell and Zamdela Performing Arts Centre from Sasolburg; Andrew Makhaya and Thabisong Youth Club from Emndeni; and Dorah Mbokazi and Dorah's Dancers from Meadowlands.

TEA DANCES

Judy Victor and Bobby Minter's regular social ballroom dance evening, Tea Dances, will take place on April 3.

The venue is the Umbilo Sports Club on the corner of Penzance and Umbilo Roads. Entrance fee is R10 pp. More details from 303-1642 or 84-8893.

SOCIAL DANCES

All who enjoy dancing, whether young or old, are invited to an evening of social dancing at the Durban College of Education, Cnr Queen Mary Avenue and Nicolson Road, Umbilo on April 19 when Eddie Yeadon will play the best music for ballroom, Latin or jive.

Dancing gets under way at 20h00 and entrance is R10. Bring your own refreshments. Details from 207-2424.

MUSIC 15

OPEN DANCE

The Playhouse Company's Steps Into Dance offers several new features such as an African contemporary dance course on Wednesdays from 17h30 to 19h00 and beginners' classes in classical Indian dance for children four years and up on Fridays from 17h30 to 19h00.

Other evening classes include adult ballet (Mondays), beginner-level contemporary jazz (Tuesdays) and advanced contem-porary (Thursdays).

All classes take place at the Playhouse and cost R20 each payable in advance.

Weekend dance classes include an intro-duction to creative movement, classical ballet and contemporary dance.

Stepping Into Dance A

(children nine to 12) and B (13 upwards) takes place on Saturdays from 13h30 to 14h45.

Registration for the next intake of students takes place on April 12. Regis-tration fee is R3 per course per pupil.

DANCE AWARDS

The 1996 FNB Vita Awards for original contemporary choreography and dance were presented last month at the 1997 FNB Vita Dance Umbrella.

A special award was made to Sylvia Glasser and the Moving Into Dance Company. Awards went S'fiso Mavuso, Nhlanhla Nkosi and Thabiso Manare as most promising male dancers and to Charene Griggs in the female category.

Ibrahim Medell of the Playhouse Dance Company was rated most outstanding male dancer for his performance in Boyzie Cekwana's Brother, Brother, and Carmen Patterson won the female award. Gary Gordon achieved most outstanding original contemporary dance work while Jayesperi Moopen and Robyn Orlin received full awards as choreographers of the year.