D'ARTS Magazine, by the
Durban Arts Association

BALLROOM CLUB

Every Sunday, Durban Arts present the Sunday Ballroom Club at 15h30 in the Playhouse Studio. More details from Patrick `Bigboy' Zungu on 23-1236.

MIRACLE

Choreographers from some of South Africa's leading contemporary dance companies will collaborate with Jay Pather, artistic director of Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre, to present Miracle.

Featuring a variety of works, the new Siwela season will run in the Playhouse Drama from March 23 to 28.

Among the choreographers are David Gouldie and Lliane Loots, guest teachers with Siwela over the past year. Both are known for their 'on the edge' physicality and ability to create memorable images.

AWARD

Multi-award winning David Gouldie was most recently celebrated for his work with the Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company while Lliane Loots is the director of the University of Natal's Flatfoot Company. She recently achieved critical acclaim for her work, on my journey I lost my voice to beauty.

To coincide with the celebration of holy days over the period in which the dance season is being held, Jay Pather and Simpiwe Magazi will choreograph a piece combining gospel and dance.

INDIAN DANCE RECITAL

Our page 1 picture is Manesh Maharaj, Indian classical musician and dancer.

Manesh studied at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (school of arts) in Mumbai where he developed his deep flexible voice with its three octave range, eventually achieving degrees in Hindu-stani classical vocal and sitar.

Having performed on numerous occasions in Mumbai, Manesh also appeared in vocal and sitar recitals on All-India Radio and enrolled at Nritya Darshan, a Kathak dance institute.

Manesh's first major project since his recent return from India was a recital at the Hindu Centre, University of Durban-Westville. He later starred in the touring musical revue The Krazy Kracks produ-ced by Essop Khan & Mahomed Alli Productions (EKMA) and this year launched his music and dance institute, Kala Darshan.

Presented by EKMA, he will perform at the Playhouse from March 19 to 21. Tickets at Computicket or at the door.

RAINBOW DANCE

Dinner-and-dance evenings are held on the Durban Hilton Hotel's Rainbow Terrace every Saturday from 19h00. Music by Gerard James and R120 entry a buffet. To book, phone 336-8203/4.

DECADANCE

Decadance the new show featured in the Wild Orchid Show Bar at the Wild Coast Sun is directed and choreographed by Deidre Hancke-Haysom. Speciality singer Jill Sharrox appears with five female dancers, Janine Boulle, Kathy van Vuuren, Melanie Burger, Debbie de la Harpe and Deidre - and their male counterparts, Chris Booysen and George McKopp. George McKopp and Debbie de la Harpe are the adage duo.

Born in Oudtshoorn, Chris Booysen began dancing at 19 and was sponsored by Professor David Poole while studying dance at UCT. He has taken part in CAPAB Ballet productions and has been involved in three Extravaganzas at Sun City. He has also worked for the Johannesburg Dance Theatre.

Lighting design for Decadance is by Reg Habib who has, for the first time in the Wild Orchid Show bar, made use of the latest lighting techniques available. Sound has been recorded by Mike Todd, Colin Sumner and Grant Williams with costumes created by Just Sew.

The show runs until August at 21h00 (Tuesday to Sunday) with two perfor-mances on Sunday at 20h00 and 22h00. Bookings can be made at the Wild Coast Sun Theatre Office on (039) 305 2894.

LINE DANCING

Line dancing is the latest craze and is held every Wednesday from 19h15 to 20h45 at the Berea Primary School, Bellevue Road. Phone 209-8980.

FFFDC'S NEW FLOOR

The Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Com-pany have found a kind benefactor in Casting Repair Services who have spon-sored their new home in Saxon Avenue in Mayville.

"It's wonderful, light and breezy with dressing room space a little kitchen and enough room for us to move our whole operation to Mayville," says FFFDC executive director Mark Hawkins. "Wood was sponsored by PG Bison for a new dance floor which was built and installed at a great discount by Michael Jackson (formerly technical director of the Playhouse Company)."

Dance classes will be offered from mid March in classical ballet as well as contemporary and jazz styles. There'll also be keep fit classes and FFFDC also intends conducting an upliftment pro-gramme for people from the Cato Manor squatter camp.

TOUR

"We have just been offered a tour to north and south Taiwan in May," explains Mark. "We will be taking A Midsummer Night's Dream with 15 dancers as well as actors Garth Anderson, Belinda Harwood and Duncan Royce who will replace John Vlismas for this production.

"We have been invited to the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella and we're taking I looked behind and he was drowning with Mary-Ann de Wet, David Gouldie (newly-appointed resident choreographer for FFDC), Peter Taylor and Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby (Landscape Prayers).

Phone FFDC on 209-0142/3 (studio) or 202-7349 (office).

FFFDC is in good theatrical company in Mayville. Just round the corner are Troubadour Productions Costume Hire and Themi Venturas' WOW Factory while the Playhouse lending wardrobe is just over the freeway.

MOSCOW BALLET

Brought to South Africa for the first time by Edouard Miasnikov, the Moscow State Classical Ballet under the artistic directorship of Natalya Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov is set to delight thousands of classical ballet fans. The season takes place in the Playhouse Opera Theatre on May 4, 5 and 6.

Having performed in more than 30 coun-tries around the world, the Moscow State Classical Ballet regularly makes appea-rances at the Kremlin Palace of the Congresses in Moscow.

The repertoire for their South African tour will include Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, choreographed by the artistic directors with Vasili Vainonen and Ludwig Minkus's Don Quixote Suite, again choreographed by Kasatkina and Vasilyov with M Petipa and A Gorsky. Early booking is advised.

SOCIAL DANCES

Eddie Yeadon hosts social evenings of ballroom and Latin American dancing at the Durban College of Education (March 6) and at the Italian Club, Durban North (March 12). To book phone 207-2424.

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