Local dancers in Zambia for Street Culture Fest

THIRTY local dancers are in Lusaka, Zambia to compete at the annual Street Culture Festival that starts today and runs through the weekend.

Selected around the country through the festival’s local partner Jibilika Dance Trust, the dancers went through rigorous auditions.

Jibilika Dance Trust programmes manager Vera Maria Chisvo said hundreds turned up for auditions to fill the 30 spots available.

“Jibilika Dance Academy hosted auditions last month both online and offline. The auditions saw hundreds of dancers from all over the country applying to be a part of this festival,” she said.

This is the first time Zimbabwe will be participating at the festival except for a group, Flip Floppers that moved to Zambia some years back.

The local delegation is made up of dancers from different genres and styles who are expected to compete in solo categories.

“The different dance styles being covered are new school, afro fusion and B-boy. Dancers will be doing solo oneon-one battles,” said Chizvo.

In addition to dancers, Jibilika will also be traveling with their instructors who will host workshops.

“We are also excited that two of the instructors from Jibilika Dance Academy Blessing Fire and Sylvetser Shoniwa will be hosting a post festigirls val hip hop and b-boy workshop next week before returning to Zimbabwe,” she said.

Also part of the local delegation is an exciting new culture, skating which has been pushing its way in urban areas, mostly being used to push positive change and keep young people away from drugs.

“SkateZim another exciting project that works in association with Jibilika Dance Academy will also be participating at the festival,” said Chisvo.

Street Culture is an urban culture festival that has been in existence since 2011. It features skateboarding, music, and dance among other art forms. In dance competitions for different styles are held with many participants battling for prize money.