What if your child didn't just watch a performance, but became part of it?
🌿 The Forest invites children aged 5–9 to help shape the story through movement, imagination, and participation.
Bring your little explorers for an unforgettable theatre experience where movement, music, and imagination come together.
📍 Baxter Theatre, Cape Town
🗓️ Every Friday & Saturday
31 July – 15 August
🎟️ Book your tickets now at Webtickets (link in bio)
🎥 Video: Hannah Zhukovina
🎵 Music: Maksym Berezhnyuk (Ukrainian sopilka) & Dmytro Aleksienko (beatboxing)
💃 Performers: Carren Johannisen, Abigail Johnson, Nukeeshia Lekay, Tyla Kleyn, Andre Maarman & Ockert Prince
Presented in partnership with: Ukrainian Association of South Africa & ASSITEJ South Africa
Contemporary Dance Laboratory
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If you want to have a unique and creative body experience, welcome to Contemporary Dance Lab! Tiktok : @CDL 💃🏽
🌳 Something magical is growing at the Baxter Theatre...
This winter, The Forest invites young explorers (ages 5–9) on an interactive journey through dance, music, storytelling, and imagination.
📍 Baxter Theatre, Cape Town
🗓️ Every Friday & Saturday
📅 31 July – 15 August
🎟️ Book your adventure today at Webtickets (link in bio)
The forest is waiting... 🌿
How Movement Reduces Stress
Movement does much more than strengthen muscles. It also supports your brain and nervous system.
✨ Your body releases endorphins - the "feel-good" chemicals that naturally improve your mood.
✨ Stress hormones, such as cortisol, begin to decrease.
✨ Your breathing becomes deeper, helping your nervous system shift into a calmer state.
✨ Your mind becomes more present, giving you a break from overthinking and anxiety.
Dance takes these benefits even further. It combines movement with music, creativity, emotion, and connection, creating a powerful way to release tension and reconnect with yourself.
You don't need to be a professional dancer to experience these benefits. Every step, stretch, jump, or sway counts.
At Contemporary Dance Laboratory, we believe movement is not only about performance - it's about wellbeing, confidence, and discovering what your body is capable of.
🌿 Term 3 enrolments for our adult contemporary dance classes are now open!
Whether you're returning to dance or trying it for the first time, our classes offer a welcoming space to move, grow, and recharge.
📩 Follow the link in our bio to book your class.
Looking for something different to do with the kids this winter?
🌲 The Forest is an interactive dance performance where imagination comes alive. Created for children aged 5–9, it's a magical experience the whole family will remember.
📍 Baxter Theatre, Cape Town
🗓️ Every Friday & Saturday
📅 31 July – 15 August
🎟️ Book your family adventure now at Webtickets (link in bio)
🎥 Video: Hannah Zhukovina
🎵 Music: Maksym Berezhnyuk (Ukrainian sopilka) & Dmytro Aleksienko (beatboxing)
💃 Performers: Carren Johannisen, Abigail Johnson, Nukeeshia Lekay, Tyla Kleyn, Andre Maarman & Ockert Prince
Presented in partnership with: Ukrainian Association of South Africa & ASSITEJ South Africa
🍃 The countdown has begun!
The Forest comes to Baxter Theatre, Cape Town for a limited season only.
✨ Interactive contemporary dance
✨ Perfect for children aged 5–9
✨ A unique family experience filled with imagination, music, and movement
📅 Every Friday & Saturday
31 July – 15 August
🎟️ Tickets are available now at Webtickets (link in bio)
Gather your family and become part of a story that grows with you.
🎥 Video: Zhukovina
🎵 Music: Berezhnyuk (Ukrainian sopilka) & Dmytro Aleksienko (beatboxing)
🎨 Animation: Budantsov
🌿 Idea & Choreography: Kateryna Aloshyna
🦶🏿 Dancers: Carren Johannisen, Abigail Johnson, Nukeeshia Lekay, Tyla Kleyn, Andre Maarman & Ockert Prince
Presented in partnership with: Association of South Africa & South Africa
07/07/2026
Contemporary Dance Laboratory (CDL) was proud to collaborate with musician Lionel John Maharajah, videographer Ethan Vaughan and dancer Támari Theron as movement directors for the music video NIGHTMARE.
This project demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Working across music, film, theatre, education, and community projects creates valuable professional experience for artists.
See Lionel John Maharajah live in Paarl on 24 July 2026. Find concert details and the booking link on his page.
🎥 Watch the full NIGHTMARE music video on YouTube (in the first comment)
📩 We'd love to partner with you to create engaging, meaningful experiences through dance.
Whether you're a musician, filmmaker, theatre company, school, festival, business, or community organisation, let's explore how movement can elevate your next project.
Get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
02/07/2026
🟢 OPEN CALL – Male Dancer
Join the Award-Winning Contemporary Dance Production The Forest
Contemporary Dance Laboratory (CDL) is looking for one male dancer (21–35 years) to join The Forest, winner of an Ovation Award at the 2025 National Arts Festival.
This is a paid professional opportunity for dancers who enjoy performing, working with children, and developing their contemporary dance practice.
📅 Audition
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Time: 11:00
Venue: CDL Dance Studio (Patriot Square, Van der Lingen Street, Esterville, Paarl)
Prepare:
• Solo dance (max. 1 minute, any style)
• Improvisation task (given on the day)
We're looking for someone who:
🎯 Is 21–35 years old and preferably based in Paarl or nearby areas
🎯 Has dance experience (all styles welcome; contemporary and street dance are an advantage)
🎯 Has strong improvisation skills
🎯 Is reliable, collaborative, and open to creative exploration
🎯 Has the skills to work with children and engage young audiences in an age-appropriate and meaningful way
🎯 Demonstrates an understanding of child development and communication with children; previous experience working with children is a strong advantage
Project Schedule
📍 Rehearsals: 24–28 July (Paarl), 4 hours per day
🎭 Cape Town performances: 31 July–15 August (Performances take place every Friday and Saturday at the Baxter Theatre)
🚍 Johannesburg tour: 31 August–6 September (final schedule to be confirmed)
Applicants must be available for the full rehearsal and performance period.
🌿 About The Forest
Inspired by The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka, the production combines contemporary dance, Amapiano movement, Ukrainian folk music, animation and interactive storytelling to explore imagination, identity and our relationship with nature.
🎥 Watch the teaser - link in the first comment.
Why join?
✔ Earn up to R5,000 per week
✔ Perform at the Baxter Theatre (Cape Town) and on tour in Johannesburg
✔ Work with an international creative team
✔ Receive mentorship in contemporary dance, improvisation and composition
✔ Join an award-winning production
Apply by 15 July 2026 (18:00)
Send your CV and a 1–2 minute dance video to:
📧 [email protected]
Questions?
+27 82 722 7231 WhatsApp
We'd love to dance with you!
19/05/2026
🌟 Congratulations to our incredible CDL students on their beautiful achievements at the Paarl Valley / Intlambo / Vallei Eisteddfod ✨
🥇 GOLD
✨ “Candy Trouble” — U5 Group | Green School Branch Green School South Africa
✨ “Dancing on a Rainbow” — 7–8 yrs Group | CDL Main Studio & Carnegie School Branch Carnegie House Independent Schools
🥈 SILVER PLUS
✨ “The Mind Game” — 7–8 yrs Group | Green School Branch
🥈 SILVER
✨ “Moon” — Teen Group | CDL Main Studio
Dance is always teamwork. It is the children’s passion and love for dance, together with the care, encouragement, and support of parents and teachers, that makes these moments possible.
A heartfelt thank you to PVE for the wonderful opportunity and experience! 🌿
Keep moving. Inspire others to move. Happy International Dance Day! 💛
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Location
Category
Telephone
Address
Patriot Square, Van Der Lingen, Esterville (in The Paarl Aqua Centre)
Paarl
7646