Applications open for Baxter Dance Festival

The festival aims to provide both emerging and established dance companies and choreographers with an opportunity to present their work, whilst striving to nurture and promote dance talent in the Western Cape. It allows spectators to experience and see work by established professionals, as well as exciting up-and-coming dance practitioners.

Since its inception, over 300 local choreographers have presented their work in the festival, which features over 1000 dancers from about 150 studios, dance schools, projects and professional companies from all over the Western Cape. Participants present a wide variety of dance styles and genres including contemporary, classical, African, modern and Spanish.

A variety of programmes

"The growth of the festival has been extremely encouraging," says Nicolette Moses, the Baxter's associate producer and project manager of the festival. "The Off Main programme creates further opportunity for local dance groups and choreographers, and ensures an exciting, diverse and jam-packed line-up."

The Main Programme will feature works of various lengths by established professional companies, including newly commissioned work, and by invited companies, while the Off Main Programme, which takes place on Saturday, 5 October, will showcase work by up-and-coming choreographers, including student work. The Fringe Programme on Saturday, 12 October, will include work by youth groups, dance studios, school groups, traditional dance groups and other choreographers who specifically request that their work be staged here for practical or other reasons.

The whole package

The Baxter Theatre Centre will provide a comprehensive production package which includes lighting, sound, technical assistance, publicity, box-office facilities, printed programmes and pre-show rehearsal arrangements, making it a hassle-free experience for participating dance groups and companies.

Call for entries

The organisers are calling for entries from dance studios, schools, companies, groups and independent dance-makers, as well as proposals from choreographers (including a DVD of recent work) for a specially commissioned new 20-minute choreographic dance piece.

Previous choreographers of the commissioned work are Ebrahim Medell (2005), Marlin Zoutman (2006), collaborators Yarisha Singh and Celeste Botha (2007), Levern Botha (2008), Mamela Nyamza (2009), Carolyn Holden from La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre (2010), Grant van Ster (2011) and Ananda Fuchs (2012). All these choreographers have continued to make their mark in the world of dance, both locally and abroad.

The closing date for applications to participate in this year's event is Friday, 21 June 2013 at 5pm, and choreographers are strongly encouraged to send in their submissions as early as possible. Proposals for the commissioned dance piece are to be submitted by no later than Tuesday, 18 June 2013, and should include a DVD of recent work. No late entries will be considered.

Applications may be emailed, faxed or hand-delivered to Nicolette Moses, associate producer and planning manager at the Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch. Her contact details are +27 (0)21 680 3964, fax +27 (0)21 650 5260 or email az.ca.tcu@sesom.ettelocin.

Application forms are available from the Baxter Theatre's website, www.facebook.com/BaxterTheatre or the Baxter's reception desk in the main foyer.

For more information go to www.baxter.co.za.