They dance all day for EL
One night only show on Saturday to raise funds for national champs
AGROUP of East London dancers will be putting on their dancing shoes for a one-night only show at the Guild Theatre this weekend.
The 18 members of Nicole Windell Steps of Style Dance Studio are between eight and 27 years old and have been training tirelessly for their Dancing to the Top concert at the Guild on Saturday.
The concert is a fundraiser for the South African dance championships, known as the Sacopa Nationals, which the group will attend over 10 days next week.
The 19 Steps of Style Dancers, as they are called, will exhibit their talents in a variety of genres including ballet, tap, contemporary, hip hop, flamenco and ethnic.
Dance instructor and choreographer Nicole Windell said the group was excited and enthusiastic.
“They are a passionate, committed and talented group who are sure to make East London proud.
“It’s an extremely proud moment for me, their families and East London as a whole to have so many representatives going to attend this year’s event.”
Windell said last year only four dancers took part in the championships, but they each scooped medals. “To represent the Eastern Cape, there are numerous costs involved to get the team to Johannesburg so that they can appear at the Sacopa Nationals, which is why we are having the benefit concert.
“The South African championships is a great platform to engage and learn from other dancers, where artists and performers from all spheres of the cultural industry come together and have the opportunity to see their dreams come true.
“They compete, not only to showcase their talents, but also for a chance to become part of the team that represents the country internationally.
“This a great opportunity for them as group and individual dancers too,” she said.
Kirsty-Leigh Flemming, 19, who is training as a hip hop dance instructor, said she was excited to be part of the team to participate in the championships.
“I have been dancing for more than six years now, but this has to be the highlight of my dance career.
“It will be the first time I perform on a national stage, and that’s a dream come true.
“The excitement has been building up with the show this week, where most of my family and friends will get to see me and the team performing and we’re really hoping to attract some sponsors to help us with all the logistics of going to the championships.
“We have been training from 9am to 5pm on weekends and we spend up to four hours every day during the week. It’s been very hectic and we are doing this because we want to give of our best for the one night only concert and the championships,” she said.
Tickets for the show are available from Computicket at R100 per person.