The sun shone and the energy was electric at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre on Saturday, 15 November, as ten of Cape Town’s most dynamic dance crews went head-to-head in the Move with Melody Dance-Offs- part of the City’s 2025 Festive Lights Switch-On celebrations.
The competition drew an enthusiastic crowd as performers showcased a dazzling range of dance styles, from hip-hop and street choreography to Afro-fusion and ballroom, reflecting the rich diversity and talent of the Mother City.
This year’s top ten contenders brought their best moves, heart and hometown pride to the stage:
Aiden & Tatum (Rocklands, Mitchells Plain); AWDC (Belhar); Bullyproof Crew (Athlone); Devolution Dance Family (Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain); Gugulethu United We Stand Dance Group (Gugulethu); Ipeko Dance Group (Philippi); One Motion (Bonteheuwel); Teo & Morgan (Rondebosch); United Township Dancers (Khayelitsha); and Versatile Dance Crew (Gugulethu).
Prizes included R10 000 for first place, R5 000 for second, and R2 500 for third, rewarding the extraordinary creativity, precision, and performance power on display.
The winners:
- 1st Prize – Ipeko Dance Group, with a crisp, high energy act that all three judges and the crowd found engaging and asking for more. Their storytelling was delivered with clarity and precision uniting multiple dance disciplines to form a singular clear cohesive and thrilling performance.
- 2nd Prize – Devolution Dance Family – a spectacular high-octane offering that was a real crowd pleaser. Combining several dance genres for a performance that was beautifully executed and drew the audience and judges straight into the story from beginning to end.
- 3rd Prize – Gugulethu United We Stand Dance Group – a visually stunning performance, from their mesmerising costumes to the fluidity of their dance steps and their innovative choreography to the big reveal at the end – something well worth coming to the Grand Parade on 30th November to discover!
And so, the beat goes on, with all finalists clearly showcasing Cape Town’s immense talent, so much so the City of Cape Town announced it was committed to using all 10 dance groups for a series of events throughout the next year.
First up though, is the Festive Lights Switch-On where the top three will take to the main stage on Sunday, 30 November, performing before thousands in celebration of this year’s theme – United in Hope.
Entertainers on the line-up for this family-favourite event include DJ Zinhle, Kurt Darren, A Tribute to Cape Town – collaboration featuring Emo and Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell, Jody Abrahams, and Fancy Galada. Also performing: GoodLuck, Tarryn Lamb, Karabo Mogane, Early B & Justin Vega, The Heavenly Quartez, and many more…
The big switch-on moment, pyrotechnics and a spellbinding video mapping story on City Hall have all the ingredients for a brilliant day/night out to welcome in the Summer.
