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and the challenges they are facing.
World Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29 April. It was declared by Unesco to promote dance as people’s cultural heritage and an industry.
Up-and-coming dance groups have stolen the limelight from more established ones in Bulawayo of late, with reports that some artistes who made up older troupes have already quit the stage for other businesses.
“As we are to celebrate this day, our aim is to strategise and try to come up with ways to overcome challenges we are facing, especially at the hands of promoters,” said Noma Sibanda of Exotic Rhumba Dancers.
In an interview, newly formed Sunrise Arts dance group director, Mucineni Ndlovu, said it will be their first time to celebrate the day.
“But as we mark the day, we encourage dance artistes to be innovative and accept competition,” he said.
He said audiences are keen to see innovations in dance, not the tired routines.
A music analyst, Trevor Mawaka, said the day will give a platform for dance artistes to find out the need for a vibrant institution that will oversee the dance sector. Mawaka said there is also a need to make dancing a viable industry, which is a major challenge for the Bulawayo region endowed with untapped dance artistes and talent.
“In Zimbabwe the dance sector has the largest number of performing arts clubs particularly in Bulawayo, but most of them remain untapped and end up in oblivion,” he said.
Online Reporter