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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter
Upcoming dance outfit Anti-Gravity is set to represent Zimbabwe at the World Cultural Festival in India next month. The three-day festival, tagged “The Art of Living,” will celebrate humanity and spirituality. The festival will celebrate unity in diversity and emphasise the idea of one human family. Anti-Gravity manager Chido Murinda said preparations are at an advanced stage as the group is already rehearsing.

“We got the invite last week and we have started planning for the tournament. So far, our biggest challenge is finance, but we will not let our dream die because of that,” Murinda said. “Dancing is a culture and we are proud to take part in this initiative as we not only showcase modern dances but also use the opportunity to display some of our traditional dances,” she said.

India is not the only thing on Anti-Gravity’s plate in 2016. “We have a series of tours lined up, and activities we have been invited to. We are also billed for Hip-hop Indaba in South Africa and in US, if all goes well with the funding,” she said.

The hip hop group is made up of three lads, Sylvester “Sly” Shonhiwa and Alma “Tyro” Manyika from Budiriro and Tatenda “Spyro” Tandi from Glen Norah. Murinda said the group got its inspiration from Korean-based dance outfit Last 4 One.

“We got the name Anti-Gravity because whenever we performed, we shook the dance floor. “We create our own dance moves which are inspired by social settings. Our role model is Last 4 One. Dancing is an art, so what you see today can be modified tomorrow,” Murinda said.

She said dancing should be taken seriously like any other profession as it can sustain livelihoods. “Parents need to appreciate and support art itself, especially dancing. There is a lot of untamed talent in the ghetto but the challenge is lukewarm reception. Look at how dancers outside Zimbabwe and Africa are surviving,” she said.

Murinda said the group is working on marketing itself but is not after competition. Anti-Gravity has performed with renowned musicians including Jah Prayzah, Cynthia Mare, Roki, Itai Mutinhiri and Zahara.