Come and share in the celebration of storytelling through movement at the 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Experience dance as the most universal language – one that speaks directly to the heart and connects us all. 

This year’s theme, ‘Share’, comes alive through breathtaking productions that weave together stories of resilience, hope, and the beautiful complexities of being human. From contemporary masterpieces to cirque magic, each performance offers a unique window into our collective soul.

Dance Highlights at Woordfees 2025

Jazzart Dance Theatre Showcase: Portals and Petals

Featuring the Jazzart Dance Theatre company (Savannah Petrus, Rian Jansen, Aidinn Steenkamp, Marang Gwatyu, Neo Khema, Zachary Petersen), this work is a recollection, a collaboration between dreams and realities. It is the mating of the spiritual and the physical in time and space. It is a portal to our inherited visions; a look at who we continue to become.

An ode to our forebearers influenced by shared and personal stories of the voices that heal our dreams, hands that mould our being and the shoulders we continue standing on firmly, as we experience the rebirthing into the seers we were created to become.

The performance is choreographed and directed by Musa Hlatshwayo, in collaboration with the National Arts Festival.

Cost: R180. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 11, 13 and 14 October 2025 | 11th: 10.30am | 13th: 4.30pm | 14th: 1pm
Where: HMS Bloemhof-skoolsaal, Koch Rd, Krigeville, Stellenbosch

SboNdaba Dance: In Search of Our Humanity

SboNdaba Dance: In Search of Our Humanity takes you on an emotional journey through South Africa’s evolution. From the ancient, free-roaming Khoisan ancestors to the struggle for unity, it showcases the nation’s growth. The finale speaks through movement, gestures, and trust, revealing the challenges of today’s fragile unity. It’s a vibrant celebration of culture, resilience, and the shared humanity that binds us together.

The performance features dancers Litha Makanda, Lusindiso Dibela, Sonwabile Mhlonyane, Vuyolwethu Mdluli, Wanie Johannes, Asemahle Dayimani, Akhona Mpoza, Clayton Jannike, Sinalo Vakala, and Lathitha Nomgca, and is choreographed by Sbonakaliso Ndaba.

Cost: R180. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 11, 12 and 14 October 2025 | 11th: 2pm | 12th: 4.30pm | 14th: 4pm
Where: HMS Bloemhof-skoolsaal, Koch Rd, Krigeville, Stellenbosch

Cape Ballet Africa: SALT

Salt flavours, purifies, heals, preserves. Salt has significance in ancient rituals, warding off evil, keeping us safe and inspiring us to a higher spiritual realm. These sleek and stylish works echo the characteristics of this elemental condiment.

This performance features George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, first choreographed in 1956 to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Op 75. The ballet is known for its joyous and pure dance style, showcasing expansive romanticism and exuberant energy. Come and experience why this dance company regularly performs to standing ovations.

The performance features the dancers of Cape Ballet Africa and is choreographed by Debbier Turner.

Cost: R190 – R290. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 14, 16 and 17 October 2025 | 14th: 5pm | 16th: 8.30pm | 17th: 8pm
Where: Adam Small Auditorium, 15 Victoria St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch

Garage Dance Ensemble: GAT

GAT is a powerful dance-theatre work by Byron Klassen and Garage Dance Ensemble. Traveling on a battered bakkie, the cast embarks on an emotional journey through movement and text, uncovering the soul of a struggling community. With striking innovation, the ensemble weaves a ritual of sound, motion, earth, and water—tracing cycles of creation, destruction, birth, and death.

This evocative performance honours stories held by the land, offering a deeply resonant reflection on memory, resilience, and collective identity.

The performance features Esmé Marthinus and Miché van Wyk as actors, and Jaime-Lee Hine, Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Keeanu Samuels, and Jered Adonis as dancers. The show is directed and choreographed by Byron Klassen.

Cost: R180. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 11 and 12 October 2025 | 7pm
Where: Libertas Farm, Unnamed Road, Die Boord, Stellenbosch

Figure of 8 Dance: Maze of the Mind

Our thoughts are often caught up in a puzzling maze. In this stellar production, dance serves as the compass that leads us out of the maze. It focuses on human thoughts, emotions and actions, and all the nooks and crannies that leave us directionless. Choreography is the key that unlocks the interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind, an in-between space where we recover our balance on the road ahead.

This performance features the Figure of 8 Dance Theatre, as well as Damian Jacobs, Liam Frantz, Jenna WIlkinson, Sasha Nkonyana, Shaun Oelf, and Thalia Alberts. The show is directed and choreographed by Grant van Ster.

Cost: R180. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 16 and 17 October 2025 | 16th: 10am | 17th: 4pm
Where: HMS Bloemhof-skoolsaal, Koch Rd, Krigeville, Stellenbosch

Figure of 8 Dance: Die een wat bly

Die een wat bly is part dream, part testimony that sketches the relationship between mothers and their sons. An artist travels back to his childhood after his mother dies, and comes to terms with his past, his identity, his family and his future. The intricate play between movement and text mirrors the multi-threaded relationship that exists between mothers and their sons on a road to healing.

The production was nominated for KKNK Kanna awards in the categories best direction, best theatre, best debut, best design, best ensemble and best literary contribution.

This performance features Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf, and Daneel van der Walt, with choreography by the Figure of 8 Dance Theatre and Natalie Fisher.

Cost: R220. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 15, 16, 18 and 19 October 2025 | 15th: 12 noon | 16th: 1pm | 18th: 4pm | 19th: 1pm
Where: HMS Bloemhof-skoolsaal, Koch Rd, Krigeville, Stellenbosch

LAMTA: Beyond: A Fantasy Cirque Experience

Prepare to be mesmerised by an enchanting fusion of dance, music and mystique that defies conventional boundaries and invites you to explore the extraordinary. The new LAMTA dance production invites you into a realm where dreams take flight and magic knows no bounds. 

Beyond weaves gravity-defying choreography with elements of cirque, clowning, vaudeville, burlesque and spellbinding vocal harmonies, promising an immersive experience that transcends reality.

This performance features dancers from LAMTA, and guest artists Followspot Productions.

Cost: R190 – R290. Tickets available on Quicket.

When: 15 and 18 October 2025 | 15th: 8.30pm | 18th: 5pm and 8pm
Where: Adam Small Auditorium, 15 Victoria St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch

These extraordinary productions remind us why dance remains essential to who we are – our first language, our deepest expression, our shared humanity. Visit Woordfees for an unforgettable journey through the power of movement.

Website: woordfees.co.za
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 079 256 0398
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The English Highlights of Woordfees 2025