TOWN AND TOWNSHIP Dance Meet at First Cape Town International Dance Festival

iKapa Dance Theatre presents the first-ever annual Cape Town International Dance Festival, TOWN & TOWNSHIP, featuring twelve astounding international dance companies creating one unforgettable experience. Supported by the Artscape Theatre Centre, Maboneng Township Arts Experience Festival, and Battery Dance, this electrifying display from around the globe features a dozen of the world's elite dance companies. Audiences can expect to be impressed by the energy and dynamism of some of the world's most celebrated dancers as they explore the theme of migration as an essential element of life.

This year, audiences will be dazzled with performances from seven countries, including South Africa, the United States of America, China, Finland and India, as the festival inspires a connection between people from culturally diverse backgrounds.The meticulously curated programme of works will be complemented by a full-day creative and cultural indulgence at the Maboneng Township Arts Experience Festival in Gugulethu, as well as a series of workshops, film screenings, photo and art exhibitions. The Cape Town International Dance Festival embraces two important international commemorations - World AIDS Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Alongside a series of workshops, film screenings, spoken word and movement performances and discussions, key performance events include: CULTURES CONNECT, an unforgettable gala evening of world-class companies, representing five different countries and many more cultures and styles on the beautiful Artscape Opera stage; FUTURE STAGE, TO THE TOWNSHIP, MIGRATION STAGE, a programme of children`s performances suitable for the whole family, including a showcase of rhythmic gymnastics on the Opera House stage and the 2015 Maboneng Township Arts Experience in Gugulethu, which will comprise a short outdoor performance, a trip to Gugulethu to watch six international and six local dance companies as well as guided tours along festival routes including exhibiting homes; AFRICA TO CHINA, in which Vuyani presents their recent National Arts Festival, "Siva" ("Seven") and Jin Xing present "Echo", choreographed by South African native, Moya Michael; MELTING POT, an intimate evening of performances from India, Finland, the United States of America and South Africa, including offerings from Johannesburg's Vuyani Dance Theatre and Cape Town's own iKapa Dance Theatre; and PROUDLY CAPE TOWN, a proud showcase of dance training institutions in Cape Town, including Jazzart, OnPointe Dance Studio, Dance 4 All, Eoan Group, The University of Cape Town, CAFDA and others. A detailed schedule is available on the iKapa Dance Theatre website.

The festival starts on 23 November and runs through 6 December 2015 at the Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town and in Gugulethu Township. Tickets for invidiual events tange from R50 - R500. Packages are available, including the Town + Township + Culture Day on 29 November for R750; the Weekend Pass, for events on 28 and 29 November for R1000; and the Full Festival Pass, for all events for R2500. Tickets can be purchased at the Artscape Box Office, via Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695 and or through any Computicket outlet.