da:ns festival - Footwork @ Esplanade

Media Invite

Have you heard of the da:ns festival? Well, it’s the 10th edition this year. Previously, I have heard about this event but being a male and not so much a dancer myself, I usually will just brush it aside as another “art” festival in Singapore. But since I have 2 daughters who love to dance especially Jayne, this year I was glad to be invited to give the festival a try.

A short intro to da:ns festival – an invitation to move.

Celebrating the spirit of movement since 2006, da:ns festival 2015 presents a world of dance that inspires and makes you fall in love with dance all over again. With world-renowned dance icons such as Sylvie Guillem, Akram Kahn and Israel Galvan, specially commissioned original works by Singapore artists Kuik Swee Boon and Choy Ka Fai, and a host of free programmes including What’s Your Move? mass dance sessions and Rasas, a platform showcasing the rich Asian dance heritage.

da:ns festival is happening at Esplanade from 9 to 18 Oct 2015. For more information, you can check on their website.

One of the programmes that is happening on 13 & 14 Oct is the last world tour of world famous dancer Sylvie Guillem.  Sylvie’s unparalleled career has spanned almost 35 years of both dancing ballet and contemporary work and this time, she will present her final dance programme in Singapore.

If you are unable to make it for any of the programmes, then at least try to join in for What’s Your Move? party at the Esplanade Waterfront. Three themed nights over two weekends, there’s a dance for everyone to enjoy.

Friday I’m In Love
9 Oct (Waltz 8-9pm / Tango 930-1030pm / Milonga 1030pm onwards)
16 Oct (Lindy Hop 8-9pm / Charleston 930-1030pm)

Saturday Night Fever
10 Oct (Salsa 8-9pm / Bachata 930-1030pm)
17 Oct (Hip Hop 8-9pm / K-Pop 930-1030pm)

Sunday Funday
11 Oct (Jive 8-9pm / Flamenco 930-1030pm)
18 Oct (Street Dance 8-9pm / Bollywood 930-1030pm)

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Building up to this invitation to move, we were invited to try out the Footwork sessions, happening from Jun – Oct 2015. Footwork is basically an introductory dance class that gets people to discover the joy of movement. It offers a range of introductory dance classes for all ages, conducted by professional instructors.

Jayne doing her stretches before the class. And also some of her own invented dance moves.

  

We attended the Jazz class instructed by Denise from Wings To Wings Dance Development Centre.

Warm ups and already the girls are having so much fun.

  

Joey has quite a nice posture when she danced.

 

 

A great time of bonding and fun (for the girls). I enjoyed watching too.

With Teacher Denise.

 

Footwork Sessions

Youth & Adults
(basic workshops designed for youth, adults and senior citizens with little or no experience in dance)

$14 per session (1hr 30mins, with breaks)
Adult Ballet, Bellydance, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Hip Hop, K-Pop MV Dance, Latin Jazz, Tap Dance, Rumba, Krumping and more

Parents & Kids
(a great way for parents and kids aged 7-10 years old to bond and have lots of fun and laughter)

$24 for 1 adult and 1 child / $36 for a family of 3 (1hr, with breaks)
Cha Cha Cha, Flamenco, Jazz, Hip Hop

Twinkle Toes
(specially for little ones aged 3-6 years old, these dance-play workshops are designed to help the young ones explore space, improve coordination and develop their listening and social skills)

$24 for 1 adult and 1 child / $36 for a family of 3 (1hr, with breaks)
Ballet Baby, Bhangra Baby, Bollywood Baby, Pop Baby, Swing Baby

Check out the following website for classes available and ticketing information.