WINDHOEK– Dance lovers are in for a treat tomorrow as the Equipped Dance Academy (EEPAA) is host the first ever Annual Namibian Dance Day (ANDD) at the Goethe Centre.
The dance aims to celebrate dance, create national cultural awareness and use dance as a convenient mediator to unite the nation. Stanley Mareka, the Managing and Creative Director of EEPAA, explains that the intent is to celebrate dance, reveal the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together with a common language called, dance. “Dancers in Namibia do not have a place on the Namibian calendar or music industry as their own. For example the NAMAs are not meant for dancers. To perform at year- end functions only 5% of dancers are invited, and during festivals the audience experiences only 10% of the dance groups and last but not least, dancers really do not benefit much from backing up artists. This project allows dance companies to be recognised by commercial world and public that they do exist in the dance industry”
“This project is owned by young and fresh Namibians. This is not a competition, its platform to unite and stand and dance together without pointing fingers at each other. This project brings focus, dedication, social networking, love and passion, and utmost it keeps thousands of youths out the street, so just prepare for this year end function,” says Mareka. He adds that the event also aims to raise funds and create national awareness for dancers. “Television shows like Step Up or Step Down, Turn it Out and So you Thing You Can Dance and festivals such as /Ae/gams Festival, etc. have proven their value in bringing individuals from different backgrounds through a positive platform with no boundaries to cultivate imagination and passion. We want to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance, and through fund raising every end of the year this project will be hosted, because it’s the only place where we can experience and meet as dancers,” he says, promising a fun filled experience with the nation’s most acclaimed dance companies.
The activities lined up include a parade that starts at seven O’clock in the morning (07H00) from TransNamib till Goethe Centre, followed by jumping castles for kids , dance games, Zumba session, African session and performance by Erna Chimu. From mid-day (12H00) there will be strictly dancing followed by the last dance zone, which will kick off as from six O’clock (18H00) to ten O’clock (22H00). Entrance to all activities is free.
By Selma Neshiko