Dance, Drama And Music Galore As SPANFEST 2015 Ends

Lagos, Nigeria – It was celebrations and excitement galore, as this year community festival – SPANFEST with the theme ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ came to a close at the Grand ballroom of Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The 15 days festival which remains top in memories and experiences for so many, showcased the best of talents and creativity with a grand finale of 200 dancers, musicians and actors on one stage.

SPANFEST started with a ten days intensive art workshop alongside international professors, then five nights of captivating shows – Movement in Moments, A Musical Adventure, Hear Word, The Era of Legends and ended with the Voice of the Voiceless.

The event was a colorful gathering of art enthusiasts, iconic dancers, music lovers, members of the diplomatic community and high profile personalities like Mr. Aditya Chellaram, Mrs. Evita Moussalli, Mr Ingo Herbert, and Mrs. Olufunmi Olajuyegbe among others.

According to the founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, “I have faith that SPANfest 2015 will also rekindle in our community a desire to invest in performing art education and performances to sustain a vibrant and healthy environment in our Lagos – the city we cherish. Only then will Lagosians live and experience the full potential for which they were created and find purpose as well as a sense of significance in their city.”

Part of SPANFEST 2015 was the second graduation ceremony of 29 students of the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria as a true reflection of the world-class standard for arts education in Nigeria with the richness, faith and diversity of Nigeria’s culture.

SPAN displayed a combination of dance and musical performances from graduating students who thrilled guests to a show-stopper with the likes of Abimbola Fakiya, Ambila Jaja, Bamidele Olonisola, Blessing Elikwu, Bobi Odafe, Bryan Ogini-Peters, Busayo Olawole, Daniella Ilechukwu, Promise Enweribe, Bidemi Shokunbi, Nneoma Onyekewelu, Gloria Idundun, and Obinna Jackson to mention a few.

The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) has the vision to build a performing arts Centre in Nigeria where young people are educated, empowered and presented as performing artists with their God given art. Over the last decade, SPAN has acquired considerable expertise in the performing arts through the presentation of several shows, empowering more than 500 artists and over 10,000 children in its community.

SPAN is a registered non-governmental organization founded in 2004 with the Helen O’Grady franchise in schools. It offers different classes of training which ranges from Music to Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Creative Combo, Drama, Contemporary African, fitness, Naija Craze, Salsa and Latin Ballroom dance for beginners, intermediate and professionals.