Sidumisile Mabena
Mthokozisi Ncube
[email protected]
AFTER a successful debut edition, the Inferno Dance Competition is set to return to the Bulawayo Theatre on June 27, with organisers promising a bigger, more professional and fiercely competitive showcase of dance talent.
Organised by Infinni Talent Management, the second edition will run under the theme “Bring The Heat”, challenging dancers and crews to raise the bar as they compete for lucrative prizes and industry recognition.
Speaking ahead of the event, organiser Element Sloan said lessons learnt from the inaugural edition had helped shape an improved competition.
“The first edition of Inferno was a huge learning experience for us. We learnt the importance of planning ahead, improving communication with participants and creating a smoother experience for both dancers and audiences.
“This year, we have strengthened our organisation, improved our judging and registration processes, and focused on delivering a bigger and more professional event overall,” he said.
The competition will feature solo and crew categories, with the winning solo dancer walking away with US$300, while the top crew will pocket US$1 000.
Sloan said the theme was designed to inspire competitors to perform at their highest level.
“Bring The Heat” is a challenge to every dancer and crew to give their absolute best. We want performers to bring energy, creativity, confidence and passion to the stage.
“For audiences, it means they can expect explosive performances and unforgettable entertainment from some of the finest dance talent around,” he said.
He added that the increased prize money reflects the organisers’ commitment to recognising dance as both an art form and a profession.
“We believe dancers deserve to be rewarded for the hard work, dedication and sacrifices they make. The prize money is our way of recognising talent and showing that dance should be valued as an art form and a profession in Zimbabwe.
“We also hope that it motivates competitors to push themselves to new levels of excellence,” said Sloan.
Beyond the prizes, the competition aims to create lasting opportunities for dancers to build their careers and gain exposure.
“Bulawayo has incredible talent, but many dancers do not always get the exposure they deserve. Inferno provides a platform where dancers can showcase their abilities in front of large audiences, industry professionals and potential sponsors, helping them gain recognition beyond their local communities,” he said.
Sloan said participants stand to gain much more than prize money.
“They gain valuable stage experience, exposure, confidence, networking opportunities and constructive feedback from experienced judges. They also become part of a growing dance community that supports creativity and growth.
“For many dancers, these opportunities can be just as valuable as the prize money itself,” he said.
With registrations already generating excitement, Sloan expects a highly competitive field.
“We’re expecting a very high level of competition this year. The response from dancers has been incredible, and the registrations we have received so far show that participants are taking this competition seriously.
“While there are a few standout names already generating excitement, we believe there’ll be many surprises on the day, and we are looking forward to seeing new talent emerge,” he said.
Looking beyond this year’s event, Sloan said the long-term goal is to establish Inferno as one of the region’s premier dance competitions.
Online Reporter