The FNB Dance Umbrella celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Next year it will again present a two week programme that will rock Johannesburg! As of 2009, the festival will be restructured to become a shorter showcase that will present to both South Africans and the international community the very best of contemporary dance in this country.

The Dance Umbrella 2009 will take place from February 25 to March 14 in various venues in Johannesburg and the festival will be programmed as follows.

The main programme will feature only commissioned work and invited companies both local and international. The New Moves programme will feature new works from choreographers who have attended the Dance Umbrella Residency/workshop Programme. The Stepping Stones will remain an open platform for Youth and Community Groups, and dance schools.

As the Dance Umbrella has been cut by a week, when the festival is fully programmed, the entries will be closed.

The FNB Dance Umbrella would like to invite established and young choreographers who have created at least two works, to apply for a commission for 2009. The applications will be assessed by the Dance Forum and the selected artists will be programmed on the main programme. Due to limited funding, not every application is assured of funding. Should your application for funding not be successful, you will still be able to enter the work for the festival, subject to space being available.

The general entry form for the New Moves and Stepping Stones programmes and the application forms for the commissioned works can be downloaded from www.artslink.co.za/arts or call 011 482 4140. The closing date for commissioned work is August 15 and New Moves/Stepping Stones is September 5, 2008.