Latest news with #CapeTownCityBallet
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Dancer Dane Hurst on art as a ‘sacred act' and ‘as important as a daily meal'
The artistic director of Joburg Ballet speaks about his inspirations, including his early exposure to the great fine artists, as well as what is catching his attention in the world of performance. Amid a historical production of Swan Lake through a collaboration between Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, we speak to acclaimed dancer and choreographer Dane Hurst, the Johannesburg company's artistic director, about transcending limits and the heights of human achievement. When did you first identify as an artist? I grew up in the 1980s and saw James Brown and Michael Jackson dancing on the television, which was my first realisation that I was attracted to dance. I was attracted to the hip-hop my eldest sister was listening to and felt a sense of excitement when she stayed up late recording music off the radio to create mix tapes. I was inspired by the artwork my younger sister created and the cool fashion sense of my middle sister, so I took a little inspiration from all of them. But it was the mystical fusion of classical piano, flamenco and dancing feet on a dusty wooden floor that captured my imagination. As a child I watched dancing feet moving to music while I sat under a table alongside my grandmother tapping her foot on the pedal of her sewing machine as she made costumes for the Toynbee ballet school. This is what transfixed my attention and, as a result, dance became my primary focus. What branch of art most stimulates you? I'm very much drawn to all forms of art. However, photography and fine art draw my attention most. I took up art as a major subject in high school and spent my time bunking classes to sit in the art class and paint and draw still-life pictures and skeletons while talking to the incredible art teacher, Linston Erasmus. He introduced us to the world of art, architecture, famous artists and the important art movements. He made us see the world in a completely different way and introduced us to Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Gerard Sekoto, René Magritte and William Kentridge and other masters. Which artists in said discipline have significantly inspired you, and why? I've always been attracted to the works of Dali, Magritte and Kahlo, and specifically Song of the Pick by Sekoto. It is the arresting power and symbolism in their work that makes you stop and think. It's the absorbing nature and power of the message in their work that draws me in and inspires me to create work that has a similar impact. What is art's most important function? Art exists as a means of helping us express the things we are unable to articulate with words or actions. It creates a sense of awe and wonder at the incredible beauty that can be created by the human being. Seeing art is a sacred act, an unspoken appreciation of the capability and capacity of others to transcend the limits of our imagination. Art makes us believe in the unimaginable; it can force us to dare to dream the impossible. Art is as important as a daily meal; it is a reminder of how incredibly ingenious and beautifully diverse we are as humans. We all have the capacity to create and be creative. Art is there to remind us of the beauty, fragility and urgency of life. The local creatives who excite you? I absolutely love the art of Zanele Muholi, Marlene Dumas and Mary Sibande. I recently discovered the amazing work of Arthur Dlamini and his collaborative work with artist Ryan Shava. In terms of all-round lifestyle creatives, I'm very much inspired by Baked Ink, an artist working across tattoo artistry, fine art and fashion. For performance and choreography I love Vincent Mantsoe, Gregory Maqoma and Dada Masilo. Most recently it is the work of Mthuthuzeli November, the Figure of 8 Collective and Darkroom Contemporary that I find interesting. Which specific works do you return to again and again, and why? I have a random collection of old books, films, CDs and vinyl that I revisit time and again as it stimulates my thinking, inspires my creative thoughts and re-energises my desire to create. I'm busy rereading The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, which is an awesome book to delve into on any occasion. In terms of film, I always return to West Side Story, The Red Shoes, McQueen, The Red Balloon, Diva and any of the Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton films. My grandfather and father played in a jazz band called the Cuban Combos, so jazz is a natural inspiration. I've recently been listening to all of Kyle Shepherd's music, and I created Resonance for Joburg Ballet inspired by his South African History !X album. What are your thoughts on the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution? AI is rapidly changing the world and there is no way of moving away from it. Thankfully, I am in an industry where the human body is required to deliver and perform the work. Dance is meant to be experienced live, and nothing beats the real experience of witnessing the height of human achievement. AI is having a major influence on art and literature, however; it makes the process of digging deep to discover and work on something too easy. It's an advantageous tool, but I think it's dangerous as we'll start to depend more and more on computers to do our thinking, which will take away our natural cognitive development and lead to a slow devolution of faculties. If we can integrate the benefits of AI and use it to enhance our lives, then that is a massive positive. But if it comes at the expense of inadvertently dumbing us down, it is a dangerous direction in which to travel. Any project you're unveiling or wrapping up? Joburg Ballet just completed its first weeks of performance of Swan Lake in collaboration with Cape Town City Ballet, which is the first collaboration between the companies in 30 years. The production had a successful run at the Joburg Theatre and will culminate at the Cape Town International Convention Centre at the end of July. It has been an incredibly complex yet rewarding journey for both companies. It has proven to be a definite win for the dance industry and is a monumental moment for dance history in South Africa. DM Mick Raubenheimer is a freelance arts writer. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PICTURES: Swan Lake ballet takes to Joburg stage
PICTURES: Swan Lake ballet takes to Joburg stage For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two leading classical ballet companies, Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, have joined forces to present one of the greatest ballet classics, Swan Lake. Kirstel Paterson during the performance. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Eddie Clayton will play Tchaikovsky's majestic Swan Lake score for the Johannesburg season. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Swan Lake runs in Johannesburg and Cape Town in July and August. Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet perform, 3 July 2025, during their final dress rehearsal for Swan Lake at the Joburg Theater, Braamfontein. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Cristina Nakos. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Gabriel Fernandes. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Leusson Muniz. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Axton Green performs the role of the evil Von Rothbart. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet in Johannesburg. The ballet will transfer to the Cape Town International Convention Centre for four performances from 25 to 27 July with a specially assembled orchestra under the baton of conductor Brandon Phillips. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen The production of Swan Lake that the two companies are presenting was originally staged in Cape Town by French dancer Attilio Labis in 1971. Acclaimed SA choreographer Veronica Paeper will be responsible for restaging the ballet this year. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Swan Lake opened at the Joburg Theatre on Friday 4 July with nine performances running through to Sunday 13 July. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson performs in the rold of Odette-Odile and Leusson Muniz as Prince Siegfried, during a dress rehearsal of Swan Lake at the Joburg Theatre. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet prepare backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Sasha Barnes applies make-up backstage, 3 July 2025, during the final dress rehearsal for Swan Lake at the Joburg Theater, Braamfontein. For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two leading classical ballet companies, Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, have joined forces to present one of the greatest ballet classics in Johannesburg and Cape Town in July and August. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Isabella Redman prepares in the dressing rooms. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Caitlin Smith applies make-up backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet are seen from backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson and Leusson Muniz warm-up backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers stretch and warm-up backstage at the Joburg Theatre. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Close on 150 years after its first performance in Moscow in 1877, this saga of love and betrayal remains at the pinnacle of classical ballet, performed by ballet companies around the world with its leading role danced by the great ballerinas of every generation. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson and Leusson Muniz perform. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen PICTURES: Joburg Ballet premieres Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
News24
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘Ballet saved my life after I tried to kill myself at 17'
When he was 17, David Maluleka tried to end his life. He describes that time as full of chaos – his father was in and out of hospital because of epilepsy, and when he was at home he'd abuse alcohol. This would lead to violent outbursts where he'd raise his voice and get physical with his mom and siblings. It was during this dark period that David, from Hammanskraal in Johannesburg, turned to ballet as an escape. He found solace and purpose in movement. That was nine years ago, and although he took up ballet relatively late, it came naturally and he was good at it – so good that today he is a professional ballet dancer. The 26-year-old recently moved back to Johannesburg from Cape Town to work for his dream company, Joburg Ballet. He will soon perform with both Cape Town City Ballet and Joburg Ballet in Tchaikovsky's classic, Swan Lake – his biggest performance yet – with shows from 4-13 July at Joburg Theatre and 25-27 July at the Cape Town Convention Centre. David tells YOU his story. When I was 13 my family moved to Kenilworth in Cape Town. My dad was a police officer investigating a high-profile case and for safety reasons we had to move to a new province. Growing up my dad had always suffered from epilepsy. I witnessed him having many seizures that would land him in hospital. He also suffered from mental breakdowns and would spend months in a mental institution. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'I found my purpose and a passion for cooking behind bars' Then at about 15, his health began to deteriorate significantly and he became frustrated with his condition. This led to alcohol abuse, which had a devastating snowball effect on our family. When my dad got drunk he'd use our home as a punching bag – and that came as a shock to me because in my younger years I had been raised in a loving home. As the abuse continued I began looking for an outlet. It was during this time, when I was in Grade 11 at Oaklands High School, that I met my former dance teacher, Agatha Manuel. One afternoon I decided to attend one of her classes – and I instantly fell in love with ballet. But at the same time things started to feel overwhelming and unbearable – I felt like I had no purpose and that dying would be better. It was 2015 and I was 17 when my dad had an outburst over a weekend. On the Sunday morning I woke up and took all his chronic medication. I threw it in a cereal bowl, made breakfast and ate it. A few hours later I took my bowl to the kitchen and then collapsed at the front door. I woke up three days later in ICU. READ MORE| 'It was a bloodbath': Joburg mom saves daughters from vicious dog attack While in hospital I realised how much I missed dancing. So when I was discharged and went back to school I'd spend my afternoons in ballet classes, where I was able to dance without having to think about what was happening at home. My dance teacher helped me join Dance For All studio, a non-profit organisation (NPC) that empowers disadvantaged children and youth through dance – and there I got to hone my skills. In 2016, during my matric year, my dad resigned, bought my mom a house in Paarl and my parents separated. PHOTO: Lauge Sorensen After matric I earned a tertiary scholarship to study at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts. I graduated in theatre and performing arts in 2020. A year later, I started my internship with the Cape Town City Ballet graduate programme. I got a permanent job and worked there for three years before relocating to Joburg at the beginning of this year. Looking back I realise that had it not been for dance, I don't think I would have survived that period in my life because whenever I felt overwhelmed I would just dance. I always knew dance would be my way out and that one day I'd go professional and have enough money to help my mom, Violet, take care of my younger siblings, Kristena, Daniel and Candice. Show Comments ()
eNCA
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
World's most famous ballet to grace SA stages
JOHANNESBURG - Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet have announced a joint production of Swan Lake. It will run in the two cities in July. Established stars and exciting newcomers are waiting in the wings to dance the leading roles in this classic. It marks the first time in almost 30 years that the two leading companies are joining forces. It will make it possible to present this ballet on a grand scale seldom seen in South Africa.
Time Out
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Swan Lake
Anton Vierietin via iStock For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two premier classical ballet companies – Cape Town City Ballet and Joburg Ballet – will unite to present the timeless classic Swan Lake on tour. This landmark collaboration will take place at Cape Town's CTICC from 25 to 27 July. Each performance lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an interval. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 Sat, 26 Jul 2025 Sat, 26 Jul 2025 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. 🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed! Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Discover Time Out original video
