Classic Indian, Latin and hip-hop will fuse with alternative dance styles this year when the dancers from the APSARA production hit the National Cultural Centre (NCC) stage come next weekend in a production the producers have promised would be “breathtaking.”

A scene from APSARA 2008

APSARA, which producers have said in the past means “dances from the heaven, kind of exotic”, will be on stage on Saturday, May 23 and according to directors Chandini Ramnarain and Padmini Rambalak they have “cleverly enhanced the show from last year.

“The production is a remarkable achievement for this young dance company, after one year of dancing together as APSARA and numerous performances over the last year, including at Carifesta X; at a packed show at Albion in Berbice and at a sold-out evening of dance at the Pegasus,” the young directors boasted in a recent release.

They promised that the audience can expect performances that would be “marked by stunning sets and costumes, beautiful choreography and a strong performance by a talented young company of dancers.”

Choreographer Kiran Mattai said that this year they would offer a selection of dance experiences that meet the needs and interests of the diverse Guyanese population as it would include some beautiful performances by children.

“Many of our new students are very excited about the upcoming performance, the cast is talented, and enthusiastic and proud to show the world what Guyanese young people can do. They’ve helped to make the programme as lively and as rich as it is,” Padmini said in the release.

Last year’s stars of the production, Marcia Akeung and Lucria Rambalak, who did a piece called ‘Tribal’, will be featured again. While Marcia will do a Latin number, Lucria is said to be bringing “her unique style in a special performance to the stage.”

According to a press release, “APSARA specialises in contemporary classical dance forms where the basics of Indian classical dances are used as a springboard to evolve a modern and unique vocabulary.”

Director-Producer Chandini along with a team of choreographers including Padmini, Kiran and Marcia all of whom are classical and contemporary dancers intends to wow the audience with a production that crosses all language and geographical barriers.

The show will start at 8 pm and tickets cost $1,200 and $1,000 and are available at N&S Mattai, NCC, Gizmos and Gadgets, Bhagwan’s, Broadway Fashions and the Seed Shop.