So You Think You Can Dance, the successful American dance reality competition, is coming to South Africa in a big way when
the local version airs on SABC1 later this year.
One booty-shakin' youngster has a shot at being South Africa's next big dance star - they just don't know it yet.
So You Think You Can Dance South Africa makes its debut on SABC1 on Saturday, 9 August 2008 at 18h30, the channel have confirmed. It will replace
The Amazing Date, which ends its 13-episode run on 2 August.
A gruelling round of auditions will be held around the country prior to broadcast, to sort out who's hot and who's not on the dance floor.
The Ultimate Winner will walk away with prizes to the value of R250,000.
If you're interested in entering, check out our
Casting Call.
A panel of judges will be travelling to the major metropolitan centres to find dancers who are dynamic, talented and who possess the ever-elusive "X-factor".
These judges, who have been drawn from South African dance and choreography circles, are Adele Blank, Harold van Buuren, Didi Moses, Debbie Rakusin and David Matamela.
Adele Blank At present she is based in Cape Town where there is an offshoot of her dance company, Free Flight.
She also works with the Cape Town City Ballet, Dance for All, Jikeleza and various other dance communities and projects and has continuous involvement in corporate productions and with the Cape Town Opera and Zip Zap Circus.
Adele's choreographic credits include musicals like Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Leader of the Pack, King Afrika, Ipi Tombi, Grease, Rage in a Cage, Kismet and Little Shop of Horrors.
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Didi Moses Didi's true passion is Funk and Commercial Dance.
She has performed in and choreographed for cabaret, revues, theatre, opera, musicals, commercials and film.
Her introduction to the professional stage was in the David Kramer and Taliep Petersen production of District Six Musical.
Her dream is to pioneer the biggest dance space in South Africa.
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David Matamela David was the resident choreographer for the 2007 musical production of The Lion King South Africa.
He co-wrote and choreographed the hit South African dance musical African Footprint, and performed more than 350 performances as a lead dancer.
He also choreographed the Millennium performance at Robben Island on New Year's Eve 1999, which was attended by ex-President Nelson Mandela and the president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki and his cabinet ministers.
This year he choreographed SABC2's Dorp to Dorp road show.
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Harold van Buuren Harold van Buuren is best known as a competitor on the first two seasons of the SABC2 dance reality competition Strictly Come Dancing.
He partnered Michelle Garforth in the first season and Grethe Fox in the second.
He has done numerous shows with international stars such as Ricky Martin, Boyz II Men, Joe Cocker, Gloria Gaynor, Harry Connick Jr., East 17, Kylie Minogue and many more.
Harold has been Lead Dancer, Artistic Director and Choreographer of the prestigious Le Paradis Latin theatre in Paris, France, for 11 years.
In so doing, he has successfully choreographed numerous shows for the venue.
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Debbie Rakusin Debbie Rakusin is a South African dancer, choreographer and dance instructor who has choreographed such events as the Mr South Africa Pageant, the closing ceremony of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the SAMA Awards and Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday.
She has choreographed numerous musicals, including The Wiz, The Boyfriend, Ipi Tombi, Little Shop of Horrors, African Footprint and Bravo China.
She has also choreographed a number of music videos, for artists such as Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie and Splash.
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