Stepping Stones focuses on presenting community-based youth groups and young choreographers, affording them the opportunity of showing their work on a platform that is open and free and hosts people from all sectors of the community.

It starts at 10:00 with a work called Eye/I by Kevin Paul Barnard. This is followed by Keneliwe by Tumisang Baatshwana; Tropical Fusion by Ashley Rae Baxter; Ubhuhle Bemvelo by Brenda-Lee Cele; and Umfana Iza Tin-Tap Dance by Gamakhulu Diniso, who has been showing work at Dance Umbrella for over 20 years. The last item before interval is Jermaine Johnson’s Rite of Passage.

The second act starts with Transformation by Sizwe Kubeka and Dr Ranjit Lalloo’s new work called Reach for the Stars. A long-standing Stepping Stones stalwart, Dr Lalloo has been presenting works at the festival since its inception.

Next on the programme is Mokhele Ben Makatu from Thaba ‘Nchu in the Free State with Here we Come followed by Rosanna Maya with Soniquete and the Michelle Buscher School of Dance with Asia.

Vanacia Motoledi opens the third act with Weak (ends), followed by Tshepo Makinita and Paul Rakgokong’s Weep no More, then Sibusiso Ntshangase’s Irie Movement; Victor Seleng with Free; Lakai Saadiq with Sand-Ngoma; and Samantha de Chaves with Inner Core.

After lunch it is the turn of Durban-based Lenin Shabalala’s Voices and Emandulo by Unathi Xenti, followed by City Streets by Luyanda Rumbu; The Grace by Klaas Kompi; No Pain, No Gain by Karabo Panana; and Mirrors of My Heart by Promise Benda. The final works to be shown in the afternoon session include works from Sanele Maseko, Bonginkosi Nkosi, Lucky Kele, Linda Lee Mhlongo and Finch Thusi.

Entrance to Stepping Stones is free and seating is unreserved.

Stepping Stones is followed at 19:00 by a Double Bill, hosted by Africalia and the Cultural Development Trust as part of the Africalia programme in Southern Africa programme. The Double Bill features a work from the Brussels-based dance company, Dunia Dance Theatre who, in collaboration with the DTZ/DFC Harare will present Baobab Shadows choreographed by Harold George and a new work from Johannesburg-based Portia Mashigo who worked with young people to create More in Than Out of Time. Tickets for the Double Bill are R60.

Dance Umbrella 2014 runs from Sunday, 31 August to Sunday, 7 September at the Wits Theatre, the John Kani Theatre and the Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre.

For programme updates and block booking discounts, phone 011 492 2033/0709. Alternatively, email [email protected] or [email protected]

Bookings can be done via Computicket by phoning 083 915 8000 or visiting www.computicket.com. For bookings for Les Nuits (The Nights) at the Mandela, Joburg Theatre, visit www.joburgtheatre.com

For more information, visit www.danceforumsouthafrica.co.za. Alternatively, follow @danceumbrellaSA on Twitter and visit and like the Facebook page, here.

Dance Umbrella 2014 extends a thank you to its many partners, without whom the festival would not have been presented: City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival, French Institute of South Africa, TOTAL South Africa for Angelin Preljocaj and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.