By way of Jimisayo Opanuga
April 29, 2024 | 10:26 PM
Alliance Française de Lagos, the French cultural heart 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 heart 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, Area Limitless, OFUOBI and Footprints of David additionally introduced power and offered a fascinating vary of Nigerian and worldwide dance kinds.
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 means to transcend cultures and generations.
“At the present time is a testomony to the ability 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 convey folks collectively like nothing else can,” she stated.
“In Nigeria, we’re blessed with a wealthy cultural heritage and dance performs an necessary function 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 assist and have fun our dancers, choreographers and all our dance communities. Allow us to use dance as a instrument for social change, cultural change and inventive expression.”
Valuable Naador, Advertising and marketing Govt at Alliance Française de Lagos, famous that the partnership with SPAN, with the assist of the French Embassy, offered a platform for rising dancers to showcase their expertise to a wider viewers, together with the French Community and the Nigerian group.
“Proper now, dancing within the countryside is now not only a interest. It is usually a enterprise technique of incomes revenue. For instance, some folks could not be capable to 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 have now the contacts to assist them develop. There are additionally numerous competitions and cultural exchanges by way of residencies,” Naador added.
Among the many proficient dancers who stole the present was 14-year-old Olanipekun Yemi Tope, a highschool scholar 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 understand that there’s all the time extra to study.”
Olanipekun supplied encouragement to those that don’t totally respect dance, noting that “love is the important thing. In the event 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 had been created the place the viewers might 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 had 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.
