Aly Verbaan
A LOCAL dance school that has been influential in the dance community for 45 years is being forced by a lack of funding to close.
The Wilvan School of Dance was established during the height of apartheid rule in 1968, when official dance schools were mainly the preserve of the privileged few.
In commemoration of the extraordinary contribution they have made, the Wilvan School of Dance is hosting an evening of memory and tribute on Sunday at the District Six Museum in the city, celebrating 45 years of communal and creative projects in dance.
A film, oral and live presentations will document the Wilvan story from 1968 to 2013, and its contribution to the cultural and political life of Cape Town. This celebration is dedicated to the founding members, teachers, board of directors, organisers, volunteers, parents and students who made Wilvan a centre of excellence against all odds.
The evening is to thank all who have participated and been instrumental in what virtually became an institution in its heyday.
The Wilvan School of Dance was established to give dance training and experience to those who would not otherwise have had such an opportunity. The school entered hundreds of students of all ages for internationally recognised exams, trained many qualified teachers and staged numerous dance productions.
Dance is a valuable art form and means of expression. It is highly instrumental in developing children’s motor skills and co-ordination, as well as core values such as self-confidence, self-esteem, discipline and respect for others.
Unfortunately, without funding, these children must be turned away from their passion and lose the chance to choose a career in dance.
Tickets are sold out for Sunday’s event, but if you are interested in funding the school, please contact Desiree Daniels at 082 459 1102.