Claudia Monja, Mahlatse Sachane

July always seems to be abuzz with events and happenings- it's Mandela Day on the 18th, Wimbledon brought the strawberries and champers out and the Tour De France grinds on with a gruelling pace.

In the arts, on the 28th July, Joburg Theatre will première a new ballet which sees a collaboration between the city's beloved ballet company, Joburg Ballet, as well as two well-known South African Contemporary Dance companies, Moving Into Dance Mophatong and Vuyani Dance Theatre.

Eugene Mashiane

Apart from the excitement of the collaboration of dancers from different genres, celebrated actress and director Fiona Ramsay is working with a creative team from the three companies to develop a ballet which is inspired by the vibrant rhythm of Johannesburg. The choreographers are all drawn from the different companies- Shannon Glover (Joburg Ballet), Lulu Mlangeni (VDT) and Sunnyboy Motau (MIDM) telling the story of a young man who steps confidently onto the Joburg corporate ladder, only to discover an unexpected and fascinating new window to the world of dance opening before him.

Mahlatse Sachane, Sanmarie Kreuzhuber, Phumlani Mndebele, Caudia Monja

South African dance is renowned for its vibrancy and Big City, Big Dreams fuses styles from classical ballet to contemporary and street dance, so this has the potential to deliver some power to the stage! The musical score is created by composer Nik Sakellarides.

The stage settings and lighting  are by Wilhelm Disbergen, while the dancers will be costumed in sleek urban clothes by designer Noluthando Moropa.

Remember: local is lekker so don't miss it!

The magnificent images are all by photographer Lauge Sorensen

Eugene Mashiane, Megan Gerber

BIG CITY, BIG DREAMS: FAST FACTS

Dates, Times, Prices:

• Fri 28 July at 19:30 – Half Price: R90, R125, R170, R195, R225
• Sat 29 July, Fri 4 Aug, Sat 5 Aug at 19:30 & Sat 29 July, Sun 30 July, Sat 5 Aug, Sun 6 Aug at  15:00 – Standard Prices: R180, R250, R340, R390, R450
• Tue 1 Aug & Wed 2 Aug at 11:00 – All tickets R80

Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (GPS -26.191316, 28.038519)

Book now: At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670; or online at www.webtickets.co.za

Patrons can also book and pay via the Nedbank app and at selected Pick n Pay stores (full list at www.webtickets.co.za/pnpoutlets.aspx)