The crew has restarted their wheelchair dance classes, every Tuesday between 5.30pm and 7pm at the Whirling Wheels Club Disability Sports Hall, with the aim of improving the lives of those with limited mobility. The studio has run their special needs disabled training and development lessons since 2016. Jarryd Watson, artistic director at Dance Movement, said the programme was created to encourage and empower those living with disabilities while exposing them to the arts field and career possibilities. He said that training includes arts and culture administration, management skills and performing arts for theater (stage) in addition to the contemporary and hip hop dance classes.
“Arts disability is growing in this country and because dance and arts are universal, I created this inclusive programme for people of any age living with disabilities, or wheelchair-bound, to express themselves through artistic movement and the arts itself,” Watson said. Nelisiwe Sibiya, a successful participant from the classes who began in 2018, has since gone on to perform at the Playhouse Theater. Watson said: “Since 2018 Nelisiwe has done well with her career which includes performances at the Playhouse theatre and the Durban Dance Movement Festival. Currently she is performing in Dance Movements online show, Dance Virtualosit, which is a production showcasing the best dance styles in Durban, South Africa.”
He continued: “Specific areas are highlighted in Nelisiwe’s show, with vibrant performances in hip hop, break dancing, contemporary, amapiano, jazz and many other styles that narrate the Covid-19 times we are living in as well as struggles and challenges humanity is going through during this pandemic.” Classes are free and comply with all current Covid-19 protocols and may also be viewed online at ‘Dance Movement – Wentworth Arts and Culture’ Facebook page or via Youtube. To book your place call 082 683 9665. The dance classes are held at the Whirling Wheels Club Disability Sports Hall, on 29 Cobham Grove near Bluff tyres.
