Alliance Française de Lagos, the French cultural centre in Nigeria, partnered with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) to rejoice Worldwide Dance Day 2024 and supply alternatives for aspiring dancers.
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The occasion, which came about on April 28 on the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, featured energetic Afro Hip Hop strikes by dance group Starkids and swish ballet performances by Brian and Andrea and Monica and Elijah.
Locking Mike, Princess, SPAN Dance Group and Samson Betel carried out Locking, Modern and Afro Home, whereas Hilary Jackson paid tribute to Michael Jackson. School of Breaks, House Limitless, OFUOBI and Footprints of David additionally introduced power, showcasing an thrilling vary of Nigerian and worldwide dance types.
In her opening speech, Leticia Bertrand, Chair of the Synthetic Intelligence for Africa Empowerment Basis, on behalf of SPAN founder Sarah Boulos, emphasised the unifying energy of dance and its capacity to transcend cultures and generations.
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“Today 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 facility to evoke feelings, inform tales and produce folks collectively like nothing else,” she stated.
“In Nigeria, we’re blessed with a wealthy cultural heritage and dance performs an essential 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 rejoice World Dance Day.”
Bertrand acknowledged the dedication and fervour of dancers and instructors who labored tirelessly to maintain dance tradition alive: “Allow us to proceed to assist and rejoice our dancers, choreographers, and all of our dance communities. Allow us to use dance as a software for social change, cultural trade, and creative expression.”
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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 aspiring dancers to showcase their abilities to a wider viewers, together with the French community and the Nigerian neighborhood.
“These days, dancing within the nation is now not only a pastime. It is usually a enterprise technique to generate earnings. For instance, some folks can not 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 now have the contacts to assist them develop. There are additionally totally different competitions and cultural exchanges by residencies,” Naador added.
Among the many proficient dancers who stole the present was 14-year-old Olanipekun Yemi Tope, a highschool pupil who known as dance her life and inspiration. “That is my second time right here at World Dance Day. It’s encouraging; I see different dancers and what they’re doing. It makes me notice that there’s at all times extra to study.”
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Olanipekun supplied encouragement to those that don't absolutely respect dance, noting that “love is the important thing. When you love one thing, even when it's only for leisure or 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 might freestyle, transfer their our bodies and expertise the enjoyment of dance, no matter age or expertise degree. The power within the room was electrical as attendees celebrated their love of dance in their very own distinctive method.
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 for City Adolescent Well being.
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