Synergy of energy
It promises to be a thrilling night of hardcore high energy dancing when the Danceworld School of Modern, Jazz and Ballet presents their annual show ‘Jazzin’ – Rhythm of the Soul’ on August 10 and 11 at the Lionel Wendt from 7 p.m. This is the school’s seventh production directed by the school’s founder and director Sureka Buell.
Sureka
This year’s show, a tribute to Sureka’s assistant teacher/choreographer, Deshana de Alwis, who is scheduled to travel overseas for further studies, will be presented by the school’s senior students. “This year’s show presents mainly seniors. The standards have improved a lot since the previous years. We all worked hard and I’m sure it’ll be a great show,” says Deshana.
“I always try to think out of the box and be innovative,” says Sureka. The main reason I named this show ‘Rhythm of the Soul’ is because I believe dancing is an expression of both the mind and body. It’s a way of communicating to the audience through fluid movements.”
“In this show I have selected the very best talent that my school has to offer, which I believe will offer the audience a unique performance, setting a new benchmark in the industry.”
Fifty dancers between the ages of 8-20 including her very first student, 13-year-old Dulini Gunaratne as well as her own daughter Tenisha Buell along with her assistant choreographer, Deshana are in the show. Sureka herself would also be performing along with her students. Commenting on her all female cast, she said, “I think girls have more commitment towards dancing than boy. Any girl no matter what age or size she is, if she truly has a passion for dancing I think she can dance.”
One of Sureka’s students Jeanna de Zoysa is appreciative of the fact that Sureka insists on them learning all the styles of dancing. “She wants us to know all aspects of dancing to make us better in every way,” says Jeanna adding “personally I think jazz is my style.”
Sureka is hoping to cater to a wide range of audiences. Her choice of songs ranges from the latest chart topper to the golden oldies. There’s a surprise ending too. “After last year’s production where we dared to be different, this year we plan to have a mix of dance genres inspired by songs from movies such as Hairspray, Rio, Step Up 3D, Flashdance, Mulan and Lion King to name a few.”
The costumes as in all Sureka’s shows are done by her mother, veteran costume designer Mithabi Gunawardene, and proceeds of the show will go to community outreach projects handled by the Lions Club of Havelock Town. “I do this to give a sense of responsibility to the students because then the show will not be only fun but they are contributing to a cause too,” says Sureka.
Box plan and tickets for the show will be available from August 5 at the Lionel Wendt. For further information please call 0777558349 or 0777766323.
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