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Yeukai Karengezeka Entertainment Reporter
A lot of activities were on the dance sector this year although the genre remains in the minority section of the arts industry.
The year was difficult for the genre but quite a considerable number of dancers managed to clinch international tours and good local shows.
Groups such as Girls La Musica, Bev and the Sexy Angels managed to record some songs.
In January, the Bulawayo-based dance group Girls La Musica ventured into music as they released a debut single called “Colour Blocking”.
In July, Explosion troupe led by Privilege “Gudo” Mupfurutsa diversified its entertainment practice as they released an impressive video as a way of trying to meet the international trends.
Raunchy dancer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda and her Sexy Angels released an album titled “Tapinda” that featured the “Amadara” hit maker Freddy Gwala.
Various groups also managed to tour different countries.
In January the country’s leading traditional dance group, Hwamanda, successfully went to Denmark and participated in the Winter Concert from January 22 to February 4.
Another troupe Iyasa toured Australia for six months.
Some of the groups managed to scoop some accolades while others were nominated in some categories.
Bulawayo-based Iyasa dance group was nominated for their play “Sweet well, Sweet moon” for a prestigious award.
It was the only African country nominated among other finalists from Belgium, Brazil and Canada and Denmark.
At Jikinya Dance Festival held last month it was Nyandoro Primary School from Mashonaland Central that won the prize.
Umkhati Theatre Works also won US$4 000 at Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival after showcasing Tswana dance.
Some other dance groups were labelled prostitutes but they were defending their stance.
In February Bev Sibanda dismissed the notion that she is a pole dancer. Defending herself, she said she was an all round dancer registered with regulatory authorities.
Lapozo Dancing Queens were labelled sex workers and dismissed those allegations saying dancing was professional like any other job and dancing in bars does not make them prostitutes.
Crazy Boys in August accused other groups of copying their dance routines and urged others to be creative and not to be copycats.
July saw Dancers Association of Zimbabwe (DAZ), a regulatory board for all dancers, celebrating its fourth anniversary at City Sports Bar.
About 30 dance groups participated at the celebrations.
September witnessed the resurrection of Manjenjenje Queens who had gone silent for a long time. The group comprises ex-Mambokadzi dancers.
This December saw top six dance groups, Beverly Sibanda, Apama, Crazy Boys, Explosion, Syndicate Girls and Malaika clashing at the City Sports Bar.
Various dance groups and club representatives met at Holly’s Hotel this month and resolved that all unregistered dancers performing raunchy routines would face arrest and all dance groups should quickly remove their dancing attires once they get off stage.
Reps Theatre hosted a number of musicals that saw many dancers taking part in the various events lined-up for the year.
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