“Dancing is a way of expressing everything I feel without saying a single word. When I move, be it on stage or just for the sheer joy of being alive, I’m drawing on everything beautiful and joyful within me. And that’s what
Dance Club is about – the joyful spirit of the music and moves; the intense, youthful energy of the young dancers and our audience. Needless to say, I am very excited to be part of this show,” said Lorcia Cooper, the host of Cartoon Network’s brand new South African show,
Dance Club.
Dance Club, a live action television series where viewers are shown a dance of the week and then led, step by step, through the various components of the dance, launches on Cartoon Network on Saturday, 14 November at 09:00 CAT with a repeat is on Sundays at 18:30 CAT. The show is choreographed and hosted by Lorcia, who is an award winning dancer and dance teacher, and is best known for her roles in
Back Stage and
Scandal.
Dance Club is a mixture of Cartoon Network Animation and live, human action. Lorcia and her dancers interact, fall in love and potentially come to loggerheads with various Cartoon Network characters. Regular visitors on set will include Ben Tennyson; The Power Puff Girls; and Chowder the Chef.
“I love being on the show, love learning the new moves and knowing that other children at home are learning something new and fun with me,” laughed Kayleen Jegels, 11-year-old dancer on the new show and lover of macaroni and cheese; neon pink; and hip-hop. “It feels really amazing to share my talent on the screen and I just want to say to other kids out there who are watching the show and thinking they can’t do what we do – it doesn’t matter how good other people are, or how incredible they seem to be, don’t get intimidated! Do your thing and you will get to your dreams too.”
Cartoon Network
Dance Club was created to give South African viewers a stake in the channel and to ensure that the programming on Cartoon Network appeals to as broad a market in this region as possible. “The show combines South African and UK expertise and forms part of a key Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) strategy to invest in South Africa and her people. We want young viewers to participate with our television products and not simply consume them. We’re looking to groom young and active minds and bodies and are certain that Dance Club will provide the kind of fare that get audiences off their couches and moving along to the music,” commented Alan Musa, VP and GM, Pan Middle East and Africa for Turner Broadcasting Systems.
According to Tamsyn Egnos, Marketing Manager for GUESS SA and sponsors of the funky, contemporary outfits worn by the dancers, “We are very excited to be a part of Cartoon Network’s
Dance Club as the children, who range from age 10 to 13, lend the show an undeniably youthful flavour and ease.The show is world class excellence produced by and for South African’s and we’re certain audiences here will enjoy it immensely.”
In conclusion, Lorcia stated, “Dance teaches kids a number of skills such as discipline and tenacity. It also helps to keep them fit and healthy, so the impact of Cartoon Network Dance Club is far reaching. If we can touch the kids through dance, I would consider it a job well-done."