Out of Africa Dance Academy is staging the production Heartbeat of a Dancer at the Artscape on Saturday March 14, at 3pm and 8pm.
Dance instructor, Ivy Meyer, taught 30 people, aged 6 to 62, how to dance at St Augustine’s hall in Wittebome, in January.
After much hard work and sweat, this group is ready to roll and will be performing in their first show.
Ms Meyer, director of Out of Africa Dance Academy, said she has been teaching dance for the past 37 years and creates opportunities for the youth within the different communities to showcase their talent both nationally and internationally.
“Dance keeps the kids off the streets and away from crime, drugs and violence and they learn the value of life, enrich their lives and earn the opportunity through a future in dance,” she said.
Southern Mail attended a rehearsal where young and old were having a jol, dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller and performing the Welcome to Cape Town song in minstrel outfits.
Ms Meyer, from Lakeside, said she accommodated children from Lotus River, Grassy Park, Belgravia and Mitchell’s Plain.
Ms Meyer, born and raised in Bonteheuwel, is a qualified dance teacher in hip hop and modern jazz.
She was one of the finalists in the 2018 Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year competition for her contribution to the upliftment of sport on the Cape Flats.
At the age of 18 she started to teach dance to the youth of Bonteheuwel in her back yard.
Her motto “Dreams into reality” came true when she took a group of senior dancers, aged 33 to 60, to the world champs in Amsterdam, in 2017.
It was the first time this senior crew competed internationally, and they walked away world champs.
Ms Meyer has been awarded a number of times for her contribution to dance.
“I am the proud winner of the South African Council of Business women – entrepreneur as well as the winner of the 3M Sub Sahara community award,” she said.
Nothing stands in Ms Meyer’s way of creating opportunities for youth within the various communities.
She said the dancers are excited to perform for the first time at the Artscape.
At the rehearsal the performers seemed to have a great time.
Ms Meyer said the crux of the show Heartbeat of a Dancer is about life’s challenges in the community.
The show is about a teenager, Anati who runs away from home at the age of 15.
Her dreams to make dance her life is shattered and she is forced to abandon her passion. It is only when her friends take her to one of their dance studios, that her passion is once again ignited.
Tickets for Heartbeat of a Dancer cost R120 or
R100 for pupils and pensioners. Book through Computicket.
