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Basil Chirengendure

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter
Organisers have scaled up preparations for the launch of the “Breakdown Genesis” television dance show.

The show, which will feature three judges on the panel, will run for 10 episodes beginning February 27.

It will run under the theme “Genesis,” with special emphasis on developing the dance sector and putting local talent on the map.

Episodes will be shot at 1+1 Club at Longcheng Plaza during the afternoon.

“Breakdown Genesis” founder Basil Chirengendure told The Herald Entertainment that things were taking shape, with some of the guest celebrities for the show confirming participation.

He said the dance show is focused on solo dancers and dual acts, with a special episode slated to cater for the small tea of three.

“I am happy that everything is taking shape with the corporate world chipping in. The show has three judges who are to be announced on the day of the launch next month,” Chirengendure said.

Chirengendure said the main goal for the show is to build up to the main event of the breakdown dance battles to be hosted in December.

“Every month-end we will shoot a new episode with three rounds and judges will deliberate on the winner. One winner will walk away with a $100 trophy and get a chance to be nominated to battle on the main event,” he said.

He said he was talking with Multichoice Zimbabwe (DSTV) to get rights to air the show on Zambezi Magic.

Chirengendure said the dancing profession should be taken seriously as it can sustain livelihoods.

“Each episode will have a surprise celebrity guest who will be part of the judges. Dancers who need to compete should send a 30-second video of their freestyle on our social media platform and only six selected contestants will take part per episode. The dancers will go into elimination zone,” he said.

The co-founder of popular dance crew High Definition said this is good for the Zimbabwean dance sector.

“I was driven to work harder by my former group. Our duty is to make a difference through the art. That is where the core motivation and inspiration comes from, knowing the fact that we have elevated the dance sector to a respectable level.

“There is a lot of untapped talent and this should be a wake-up call to other genres,” he said.

Chirengendure said this year, the Breakdown show will see some of the reputable dancers from Africa attending.

“Apart from the television show that we are working on, our Breakdown battle this year will be held at Longcheng Plaza and we are expecting a huge turn-out considering that the show has some interesting youths from countries like South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana attending,” he said.