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Following the unprecedented success of the Baxter Dance Festival last year (where close to 80 choreographers participated), the organisers are now calling for applications for 2016 from dance studios, schools, companies, groups and independent dance-makers, as well as proposals from choreographers (including a DVD of recent work).
The closing date for applications to participate in this year’s event is Friday, 24 June, at 5pm and choreographers are strongly encouraged to send in their submissions as early as possible.
The 2016 Baxter Dance Festival will take place from 6 to 15 October and comprises the Main Programme which will consist of invited and commissioned works, as well as work by established professional choreographers and companies. The Off-Main Programme on Saturday, 8 October, which will showcase work by up-and-coming choreographers (including student work), and the Fringe Programme on Saturday, 15 October, which will include work by youth groups, dance schools, school groups, traditional dance groups and others.Despite limited funding the festival is widely regarded as the premier dance event of its kind and it has become an annual not-to-be-missed platform by studios, companies and choreographers. It has grown exponentially over the years and has also become a must-see on the city’s events calendar for dance lovers.
The festival aims to provide emerging and established dance companies and choreographers with an opportunity to present their work, whilst striving to nurture and promote the diverse dance talent in the Western Cape. It is the perfect environment to experience and see work by established professionals, as well as exciting up-and-coming dance practitioners.
The running time for each dance work is limited, depending on the number of performers: for solos, duets or trios ten minutes for the Main and Off-Main Programmes and three minutes for the Fringe. For quartets or bigger ensembles it is 20 minutes on the Main, ten minutes for the Off-Main and seven minutes for the Fringe.
The Baxter Theatre Centre provides a comprehensive production package to participants, which includes lighting, sound, technical assistance, publicity, box office facilities, printed programmes and pre-show rehearsal arrangements, making it a hassle-free experience for participating dance groups and companies.
Previous choreographers of the commissioned work are Ebrahim Medell (2005), Marlin Zoutman (2006), collaborators Yarisha Singh and Celeste Botha (2007), Levern Botha (2008), Mamela Nyamza (2009), Carolyn Holden from La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre (2010), Grant van Ster (2011), Ananda Fuchs (2012) and Steven van Wyk and Thalia Laric in 2014. There were no commissioned works in 2013 and 2015. All these choreographers have continued to make their mark in the world of dance, both locally and abroad.
Since its inception in 2004 over 500 local choreographers have presented their work in the festival, featuring some 4 000 dancers from more than 400 studios, dance schools, projects and professional companies from all over the Western Cape, presenting a wide variety of dance styles and genres including contemporary, classical, African, modern and Spanish.
Application forms are available from www.baxter.co.za, www.facebook.com/BaxterTheatre or from the Baxter’s reception desk in the main foyer. Forms may also be obtained from and should be sent to Nicolette Moses, Artistic Director of the Baxter Dance Festival on 021 680 3964, fax 021 650 5260 or email baxterdancefestival@uct.ac.za. Alternatively they can be hand-delivered to the Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, marked clearly for her attention. All applications must be received by 5pm on Friday, 24 June 2016.
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