Latest news with #LegendsAreMade
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Young dancers shine bright at National Legends Are Made event
Excitement peaked when dancers from across SA lit up the stage at Woodlands International College for the Legends Are Made season three finale recently. The four-day competition showcased a range of styles, including freestyle, rock and roll, disco, hip-hop, slow dance, acro, lyrical, jazz, ballet, amapiano, belly dancing, show dance, ballroom, Latin (international, American, and pro-am), vocals and more. With over 800 entries last year, the event has cemented its reputation as one of SA's top platforms for dance and music excellence. For co-founder Duerell de Pontes, the event's true highlight was its spirit of unity, 'The most unforgettable moments came from seeing dancers from across the country come together, sharing their joy and passion for performance.' De Pontes said a standout performance came from the Magic Feet Foundation, a group of young dancers from disadvantaged communities. Their group piece, performed on June 15, captivated the audience. 'It was magical. The crowd was in awe. We are incredibly proud of them,' he said. Despite challenges like last-minute entries and having to adjust schedules on the fly, De Pontes said the event came together beautifully. 'Even with the chaos, everything ran smoothly in the end.' He said Legends Are Made celebrates dance in all its forms, welcoming everyone from toddlers to seniors, hip-hop to ballroom. The event even included a wheelchair dance division, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion. The competition catered to every age, ability and background. 'This year, we saw strong growth in our partnered ballroom and Latin-American categories. In past years, many dancers competed solo due to a lack of partners. 'Thanks to a workshop and private sessions by French adjudicator Angelik Meyer, more partnerships formed, and skills improved,' De Pontes shared. Rather than introducing new elements, this season focused on refining the existing format, 'The brand continues to resonate. We chose to fine-tune what already works, and it paid off.' Strategic scheduling helped manage the broad age range. ALSO CHECK: Teen couple marries in Springs in celebration of love and history Younger dancers competed in the morning, followed by a prize-giving, while older participants performed later in the day. The music selection was also age-appropriate. Inclusion and accessibility remain core values. 'Supporting dancers from underprivileged backgrounds is essential. It's about equal opportunities and building a diverse, dynamic dance community,' said De Pontes. Looking ahead, Legends Are Made plans to establish a dedicated foundation, expand outreach to schools and townships, create professional development pathways and eventually host a nationally televised finale. The dream is to create a legacy that transforms lives through dance. Among this year's standout performers was Bloemfontein's Michè Erasmus from Dance Domination. 'I started dancing at two. Hip hop and amapiano let me express myself. Before I perform, I pray and leave it in God's hands,' she said. Michè earned gold in show dance and silver in amapiano. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: Legends were truly made at Legends Are Made season 3 finale
WATCH: Legends were truly made at Legends Are Made season 3 finale Excitement reached a crescendo as dancers from across South Africa lit up the stage at Woodlands International College for the Legends Are Made Season 3 finale, held on Saturday, June 22. The competition, which unfolded over four days, June 14, 15, 16, and 22, celebrated a rich tapestry of talent, featuring a wide variety of styles including Freestyle, Rock and Roll, Disco, Hip Hop, Slowdance, Acro, Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet, Amapiano, Belly Dancing, Showdance, Ballroom and Latin (International, American, and Pro-Am), Vocals, and more. With over 800 entries submitted last year, the event has once again confirmed its status as one of South Africa's top platforms for discovering and celebrating dance and music excellence. For co-founder Duerell de Pontes, the event's most powerful moments came from its spirit of unity. 'The most unforgettable memories were watching dancers from all over South Africa come together, sharing their joy and passion for dance and music,' he said. De Pontes said a standout performance came from the Magic Feet Foundation, a group of talented young dancers from disadvantaged communities. Their group formation piece, performed on Sunday, June 15, captivated the crowd. 'It was absolutely magical. The audience was in awe. We are so proud of these incredible dancers.' He admitted that hosting an event of this magnitude came with logistical challenges. Late entries, even on the day of the event meant the team had to reorganize the program multiple times. 'Despite the chaos, everything came together beautifully in the end,' De Pontes added. He said a defining feature of Legends Are Made is its celebration of dance in all its forms. From hip-hop to ballroom, and even a dedicated wheelchair dance division, the competition caters to every age, ability, and background. 'We welcome dancers from age three to seniors. The atmosphere each day was absolutely electric.' The event's driving force highlighted that this year also marked significant growth in the partnered ballroom and Latin-American categories. 'In previous years, we had many solo dancers due to a lack of partners. Thanks to a technical workshop and private sessions by French adjudicator Angelik Meyer, we've seen more partnerships form and skills improve dramatically.' Also Read: Legends Are Made dance competition concludes with a bang Rather than introducing new features, this season focused on strengthening its winning formula. 'The Legends Are Made brand continues to resonate. We chose to refine and amplify what already works, and it's paid off with increased participation.' The founder said with such a broad range of age groups, strategic scheduling played a crucial role. 'Younger dancers competed in the morning followed by prize-giving, while adults had their slots later in the Music tempo and genre were also tailored to suit different age groups.' The dance advocate said inclusion and accessibility remain central to the competition's mission. 'Supporting dancers from underprivileged backgrounds is essential,' De Pontes said. 'It's about creating equal opportunities, uplifting youth, and building a diverse and dynamic dance community.' Looking ahead, Legends Are Made aims to establish a dedicated foundation, expand outreach to schools and townships, offer professional development pathways, and host a nationally televised finale. The dream is to create a legacy that transforms lives through dance. Among this year's shining stars was Bloemfontein's Michè Erasmus from Dance Domination. 'I started dancing at two,. Hip-hop and amapiano let me express myself. Before I perform, I pray and leave it in God's hands.' Michè walked away with gold in showdance and silver in amapiano. Also Read: Talent galore as Legends are Made Season Three kicks off At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
