International ballet contest to go ahead, live and virtually
THE 8th South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) is forging ahead in spite of pandemic challenges.
Africa’s most established competitive ballet event will be presented as a hybrid event from July 19 to 24 at the Artscape Opera House and the patron of the SAIBC, Connie September, has congratulated the competition’s founder and chief executive, Dirk Badenhorst.
“While the Covid-19 pandemic may have paused life as we know it, the ballet world is still turning thanks to the perseverance, dedication and unrelenting commitment of those in the performing arts industry, a sector that has been one of the hardest hit since the first lockdown last year,” she said.
“In a time like this, artists are called upon to bring hope and inspiration, and I commend all the participating dancers here and abroad for their strength and courage as they take part in the next SAIBC.”
September noted that the arts and ballet world had undergone a year filled with important decisions – how to rebuild, reset and address the many challenges that lay ahead.
“For arts managers, changing focus is the realisation that what they once thought was the right route from point A to point B might now have changed, given the evidence at hand that new methods and tools are required to keep the stage and performing arts alive. This kind of shift requires core strength but it also requires confidence in facing to the challenges at hand that bring new experiences. Everyone is fighting the same battle and even when times are rough, the unity and support from the virtual dance community is a blessing we may not have fully embraced until very recently.”
Due to 2020’s restrictive regulations, the SAIBC took place virtually and via an app.
This time, some dancers will be competing via pre-recorded video submissions and others will perform before a small audience onstage at Artscape that celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The 18-member panel of judges is once again made up of luminaries in the ballet world, some of whom will be present in the auditorium as for all
previous competitions, bar 2020.
The closing date for all SAIBC entries is June 25. The competition will be open to the public with a capacity audience of 100, as per the latest Covid-19 regulations.
The competition will be daily at Artscape from July 19 to 23 at 5pm, and on Saturday 24 at 2pm.
The final round on July 24 will be
followed by the closing gala performance and awards ceremony at 7pm.
Tickets for all SAIBC performances will be available via the ArtOfLife app and through Computicket on 0861 915 8000.
For further information regarding entry fees, visit www.saibc.com. Download the ArtOfLife app via the iStore and the Google Play Store.