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Break equation dance group from Bulawayo will be taking part at this year’s edition of Jibilika Dance Festival

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Organisers of Jibilika Dance Festival have announced the judges, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive dance extravaganza scheduled for Saturday. Maylene Chenjerai, the NAMA Solo Dance Award winner 2013 of Tumbuka Dance Company, 2013 NAMA Outstanding Choreographer Award winner Brian Geza of Zvishamiso Dance Company, the reigning Miss Zimbabwe Catherine Makaya and Ricco Andrews of Antivirus Dance crew from Bulawayo are this year’s judges.
In an interview, festival founder Plot Mhako said everything is on course saying the participants are ready for the big day.

“Sixteen dance groups will participate in the national final drawn from eight provinces following a round of preliminaries between April and August 2014. The national finalists are from Harare – DNA Dance Crew, Swag Turn Up Dance Crew, Flying Angels Dance Crew, Royal Crew, Bindura, Glotex Dance Crew, Carterz Exclusive Dance Crew, Masvingo, Prototypes Dance Crew, Zvazvinhu Dance Crew, Mutare, Juveniles Dance Crew, Cyber Dance Crew, Unit Edge Dance Crew, Marondera, Heavenly Host Dance Crew, Gweru, Extreme Dance Crew, Exclusive Dance Crew and Bulawayo Break Equation Dance Crew, Explosion Dance Crew,’ he said.

He said the dance crews will create and present a dance piece that fuses traditional dances which represent their province and urban dances and another routine of their own.
“The goal is to get young people to know and appreciate their culture and preserve it at the same time giving them the liberty to be creative and use their own preferred art form thus creating a unique dance style,” he said.

He said the organisation seeks to encourage young people to remain rooted in their traditional culture at the same time shining in the urban forms, saying the festival will present a rare fusion of two cultures and two generations.

Hip-hop artiste Stunner, dancehall star King Shaddy, celebrated beatboxer Probeatz and urban groove sensation Trevor Dongo, among other artistes, will provide musical entertainment.