Moving it

Ready for a dose of pure, hardcore energy, brought to life with some graceful dance moves? If you want some groovy action on stage, just make sure you're at Jazzamatazz, the latest dance recital to hit Colombo…promising to give you a night to remember! Scheduled to be held on October 13 and 14, at the Lionel Wendt, at 7pm, the show will be a grand mix of finesse and perfection, topped with loads of energy.

The creatively, funky dance routines will be presented by the students of the Danceworld School of Modern and Jazz Ballet and is their inaugural show. According to Sureka Buell, the artistic director of the School, the show will feature a mix of dance genres that are showy, theatrical, leggy and pure entertainment. "This highly energetic show with a mix of contemporary, modern and jazz ballet will be a colourful experience overall. Some of the kids will be performing in upto six items." While the show is produced and directed by her, and co-produced by Jith Peiris, it will have about sixty youngsters between the ages of 5 and 14, performing.

"The music used for the show range from African, Arabian, Spanish and Broadway, to Contemporary and Modern." Some of the items featured in the program are dances inspired by Broadway, performed to the theme songs from Pink Panther, a soulful and elegant dance in modern jazz style performed to a Disney favourite, a classical dance with a strong ballet base performed by the youngest kids in the cast to the song "When you wish upon a star," a sassy blues number choreographed to "I'm feeling good" and an intense Flamenco style dance performed to the Aria, Habarena from Carmen. The creative costumes for the show are done by Mitabi Gunawardena.

Having danced for a period spanning over twenty-five years at the Oosha Garten in classical ballet, and later years in both contemporary and modern dance, Sureka has taken many lead roles in productions. And seeing the interest and potential of the present day youngsters to learn modern dancing, Sureka founded Danceworld School of Modern and Jazz Ballet in September 2005. Here she provides her students a comprehensive and complete jazz dance curriculum based on classical technique, while she weaves in modern and street jazz dance routines into her classes to make it more interesting. "I would like to add that I don't teach any Hip Hop, and the classes I have for my students create exposure purely for performance. They have so far been extremely enthusiastic about the School's first show."

Her goal is not only to achieve high standards in performance skills but also to encourage her students to become recognised choreographers. And you will experience a highly energised jazz production choreographed by some of my senior dancers, at the show, performed to the popular number "Ain't no other man," by Christina Aguilera.

"We have been practising from last year, as the show was supposed to be held a few months ago, but we couldn't go ahead with it. But it's much better this way, because we'd rather do it properly!" said the enthusiastic dancers, oozing with energy that will evidently pour into the show. "Practicing for the show has been fun, and just plain awesome!" they added.

One of the items in the show is choreographed by Natalya Guneratne (14) and Deshana de Alwis (14), two of the seniors of the School. "We have been dancing forever, and we have tried out choreographing before as well. This item we've put together could be described as "glamorous!" they said. All of the students chipped into say that their teacher always encourages them to be creative and always have fun. "We're like a family. A bunch of sisters! And classes are always fun, because we get to play games and stuff at the end of every session."

According to Natasha Gooneratne (25), an experienced dancer who joined the School about six months ago, here, she is learning things she hadn't learned before. "This is one of those colourful shows, where you're sure not to be bored even for a second – just full of energy. And I must say Sureka has a super energy level. Easily the energy of all of us put together!"

The box plan for Jazzamatazz will be open at the Lionel Wendt from October 8, and you could contact 0777350876 or 2697692 for further details.