Ballet competition at Artscape

The 2016 gold medallist Annije Kopstale from Latvia. PICTURE: Pat Bromilow-Downing

The South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) is back at the Artscape.

The biennial event, funded by the National Lotteries Commission, is on from Tuesday February 27 to Sunday March 4.

The SAIBC, founded by Dirk Badenhorst, is the only international ballet competition on the African continent.

The five-day event attracts talented dancers vying for gold, silver and bronze medals. The contestant categories include scholars aged 12 to 15, juniors aged 16 to 20 and seniors, aged 21 to 28. At the discretion of the SAIBC, younger competitors may be given permission to participate in all three categories.

The 80 competitors hail from France, Ivory Coast, Japan, Latvia, Poland, UK, Germany, South Korea, China, Portugal, Panama and South Africa.

Johaar Mosaval, one of South Africa’s greatest dancers, will be honoured onstage at this year’s SAIBC. He celebrated his 90th birthday in January.

The preliminary rounds take place from Tuesday February 27 to Thursday March 1, at 6pm. The semi-finals and finals, with the top dancers selected from the previous round, take place on Friday March 2, at 7pm, and Saturday March 3, at 7pm, respectively.

The gala on Sunday March 4, at 3pm, will feature the 2018 winners’ Bengingazi, a new work showcasing a dynamic fusion of ballet, pantsula and neo classical styles; and international guests and previous winners alongside top South African dance companies and soloists.

For the elimination rounds, semi-finals, finals and gala, tickets cost from R110 to R350. Book through Computicket or call 021421 7695.