Anderson Carvalho Dance and Choreography (ACDC) will present the inaugural ACDC Duet Xchange at the Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May — establishing a new platform designed to elevate South Africa’s contemporary dance movement.
Platform celebrates choreographic collaboration
Conceived as a bi-annual competition and performance platform, ACDC Duet Xchange places choreographers, collaboration and new work at the centre of South Africa’s contemporary dance landscape. The inaugural open call received over 90 entries, reflecting both the depth of talent and the need for platforms that support original dance-making in the country.
The event celebrates the art of the duet — a form that is intimate, immediate and deeply human. Across two evenings, audiences will experience a curated programme moving from collaborative exchange to high-stakes competition, showcasing emerging choreographic voices alongside established creators.
Two-day programme features collaboration and competition
Day one, DXchange 1, presents an opening collaborative platform featuring Janine Booysens (Cape Town), Marlin Zoutman (New World Dance Theatre, Cape Town), Deborah McFadden (Northern Dance Project, Noordhoek, Cape Town), and Anderson Carvalho (ACDC, Netherlands/Cape Town).
The second evening, DXchange 2, shifts to competition format, with shortlisted choreographers presenting newly created duet works. Finalists include Aaghier Isaacs (Wellington/Cape Town City Ballet), Nicolas Laubscher (Cape Town/Cape Ballet Africa), Awonke Mtonjana (Johannesburg/UCT-trained), Michael Halim (Indonesia/Indonesia Dance Company), Mbongeni Moyake (Cape Town/former Joburg Ballet, ACDC alumnus), and Lusindiso Dibela (Cape Town/Sbondaba Dance). Guest companies Gain Collective and Oorleef Dance Project, both from Cape Town, will also perform.
Independent jury ensures fair adjudication
Winners will receive R30 000 and the opportunity to stage a new work at ACDC Dance Intersect 2027 (jury award), with an additional R15 000 audience award. While curated by Carvalho, final award decisions will be made by an independent jury.
In selecting the finalists from over 90 submissions, Carvalho was drawn to works that pushed beyond form into meaning. “I was looking for a distinct movement language – something that moves beyond geometry into feeling,” he explains. “Work that is contemporary but grounded. Work that tells a story through the body – where imagery, diversity and narrative are carried clearly through the movement. The duet demands honesty, and I was looking for artists who could hold that truth.”
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Venue connects contemporary expression with cultural heritage
Set within the Homecoming Centre in District Six, ACDC Duet Xchange anchors contemporary expression within broader narratives of identity, place, and creative evolution.
“This is about creating space,” says Carvalho. “We are building a platform where choreographers are empowered to take risks, collaborate meaningfully, and be seen. The duet is one of the most honest forms in dance – it demands connection, vulnerability and precision. Through ACDC Duet Xchange, we are investing in that honesty and in the future of contemporary choreography in South Africa.”
Event details and tickets
ACDC Duet Xchange takes place at the Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, Cape Town, on 22 and 23 May, with performances starting at 19:00 nightly. Tickets are priced at R150, with box office proceeds shared directly among local guest artists.
Day one highlights include Convergence (Janine Booysens), Speak the Hidden (New World Dance Theatre), a new work by Northern Dance Project, and Intimacy of the Skin (Anderson Carvalho).
Day two features Unraveled (Aaghier Isaacs), Tainted (Nicolas Laubscher), Salt in My Mouth (Awonke Mtonjana), Parasite (Michael Halim), The Third Day (Mbongeni Moyake), By My Stripes I Shall be Known (Lusindiso Dibela), plus guest works Discord (Gain Collective) and Onrus (Oorleef Dance Project).
Tickets are available at Webtickets.
Win tickets
Three readers can each win a set of double tickets to see “DXchange 1” on Friday 22 May. This competition will close on Tuesday 19 May at 14:00.
ACDC DXchange
Three readers can win double tickets to see “DXchange 1” on Friday 22 May at 19:00 at The Homecoming Centre.
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