Via Jimisayo Opanuga
April 29, 2024 | 10:26 PM
Alliance Française de Lagos, the French cultural middle in Nigeria, collaborated with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) to have fun Worldwide Dance Day 2024 and supply alternatives to aspiring dancers. The occasion, which held on April 28 on the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, featured energetic Afro Hip Hop strikes from…
Alliance Française de Lagos, the French cultural middle in Nigeria, collaborated with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) to have fun Worldwide Dance Day 2024 and supply alternatives to aspiring dancers.
The occasion, which was held on April 28 on the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, featured energetic Afro Hip Hop actions from the Starkids dance troupe and the sleek ballet performances of Brian & Andrea and Monica & Elijah.
Locking Mike, Princess, SPAN Dance Group and Samson Betel performed Locking, Up to date and Afro Home, whereas Hilary Jackson paid tribute to Michael Jackson. School of Breaks, House Limitless, OFUOBI and Footprints of David additionally introduced energy, presenting a charming vary of Nigerian and worldwide dance types.
In a gap speech, Leticia Bertrand, president of the Synthetic Intelligence for Africa Empowerment Basis, on behalf of SPAN founder Sarah Boulos, famous the unifying energy of dance and its skill to transcend cultures and generations.
“At the present time is a testomony to the facility of dance to unite us throughout cultures, borders and generations. Dance is extra than simply motion. It’s a language, a type of expression and a lifestyle. It has the power to evoke feelings, inform tales and produce folks collectively like nothing else can,” she stated.
“In Nigeria, we’re blessed with a wealthy cultural heritage and dance performs an vital position in our traditions and customs. From the elegant actions of the Bata dance to the energetic rhythms of Afrobeats, our dances are a mirrored image of our historical past, our folks and our resilience as we have fun World Dance Day.”
Bertrand acknowledged the dedication and keenness of dancers and instructors who labored tirelessly to maintain dance tradition alive: “Allow us to proceed to help and have fun our dancers, choreographers and all our dance communities. Allow us to use dance as a device for social change, cultural change and creative expression.”
Treasured Naador, Advertising and marketing Government at Alliance Française de Lagos, famous that the partnership with SPAN, with the help of the French Embassy, offered a platform for rising dancers to showcase their abilities to a wider viewers, together with the French Community and the Nigerian group.
“Proper now, dancing within the countryside is now not only a passion. Additionally it is a enterprise technique of incomes revenue. For instance, some folks might not be capable of make contacts on their very own, however through the use of our platform they’re uncovered to the goal group.
“It places them ready the place they are often invited to carry out at occasions, whether or not they’re Nigerian or French occasions. We’ve the contacts to assist them develop. There are additionally varied competitions and cultural exchanges by residencies,” Naador added.
Among the many gifted dancers who stole the present was 14-year-old Olanipekun Yemi Tope, a highschool pupil who cited dancing as her life and inspiration. “That is the second time I’m going right here for World Dance Day. It's encouraging; I see different dancers and what they do. It makes me notice that there’s at all times extra to be taught.”
Olanipekun provided encouragement to those that don’t totally admire dance, noting that “love is the important thing. Should you love one thing, even when it's only for leisure or if it makes you content, hold doing it. Don't get discouraged by evaluating your self to others. Simply hold pushing your self ahead.”
The Dance Day celebration didn’t finish on stage as sections have been created the place the viewers may freestyle, transfer their our bodies and expertise the enjoyment of dance, no matter age or expertise degree. The power within the room was electrifying as attendees celebrated their love of dance in their very own distinctive methods.
Current have been AF Lagos director Marc Brebant; Board Member, Austin Aimankhu; Cultural Coordinator, Ladunni Lambo; Chijindu Chize, Head of Dance, SPAN; Temitayo Ajiboye, communications supervisor; Andre Okafor, Non-public Sector Engagement Supervisor, USAID Youth-Powered Ecosystem to Advance City Adolescent Well being, amongst others.
