Zimpapers Logo

Tsitsi Ndabambi
It was a captivating four days of dance and fantasy as eleven dance schools took the audience into different fantasy zones in the themed ‘‘Wish Upon A Star’’ dance show.

The grand event starring tots from as young as three-years-old to 16 years attracted a lot of people who did not hesitate to part with the $12 gate fare; filling up all the seats of the Reps Theatre auditorium. The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe hosts this annual show for all the studios to come together with their junior sections every year and judging from the previous events the creativity (and magnanimity) keeps evolving.

The audience enjoyed stories of pirates and ballerinas dancing to music of Rihanna’s Diamonds, dancers in super hero costumes and animal characters among a lot more.

M & M Dance Company was a marvel. The dancers displayed a fantastic cowgirl and cowboy show. They exchanged their tutus for denim costumes and cowboy gear as they did their ballet, tap dancing and hip hop routines.

‘‘It is refreshing to learn that our studio presented one of the best choreography at this year’s event. Though I did not get to watch the show from the front because I was back stage all the time with the kids, lining them up and putting on and removing props and all, the reviews I got were encouraging. The audience loved it,’’ said M&M choreographer Sean Mambwere.

‘‘Every studio’s set on stage was amazing and unique and it fit their theme and the costumes went well with them. The level of dance displayed by our upcoming stars of tomorrow was amazing to watch and the audience really enjoyed everything. Even though the economic situation is not the best right now, the support from the parents and community and the display this year was amazing, the choreography was great and the atmosphere was vibrant,’’ he added.

Timikha Fischer’s dancers from June Cloete Dancing Academy took everyone to the colourful fairy tale garden where a group of little girls went to find Tinkerbell and Pixie Hollow and met all the different fairies and creatures that live there.

This showcase stole the hearts of young girls who dream of becoming princesses or wish to meet a fairy. The stage which was set up into a colourful garden and the backdrop turned it all into a 25 minutes of reality with Tinkerbell character in her green fairy costume.

The discipline and poise by the young dancers like six-year-old Zanorashe Urayai or four-year-old Rukudzo clearly showed the hard work that Timikha and the rest of the teachers added in making them into stage performers.

The dancers did the unforgettable Bollywood version of the Kinkini dance art which attracted a resounding ovation from the audience.

Other dance companies that took part in the show are Debbie Flemming Dance School, Eileen Fleet School of Dance, Gail Boardman, Drastic Gymnastics, Clare’s Ballet School, Morgan Bower Dancers and Faye Jackson School of Dance.

Kids who came to watch the show were not left out as they were invited to come dressed up in their own fantasy costumes and yes it is a season of giving so they got some goodies.

The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe as always leaves everyone hungry for their next offering.