DELRAY BEACH, FL, July 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers Riel dance troupe who come from the remote Cederberg village of Wupperthal jetted off to America where they will be representing South Africa at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, from July 10 to 18, 2015.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is the main sponsor of the 17 talented youngsters (between the ages of 13 and 19), who recently danced their way to victory at the South African Championships of Performing Arts for the second consecutive year.
Bushmans Kloof's Deputy General Manager and Executive Chef Floris Smith is the creative force behind the success of the group. A trained dancer and choreographer himself, he devotes his spare time to train and choreograph his "Trappers" with whom he has been working since 2012. They are currently polishing the repertoire for their performance at the World Championships as part of "Team South Africa." Members of the Riel dance troupe come from the rural community of Wupperthal and other small towns in the area, and include two teenagers who live on site at Bushmans Kloof where their parents are employed.
Born out of traditional Khoi and San ceremonial dances around the fire, the Riel Dance has been practiced by descendants of these indigenous cultures for many years. Riel dancers are dressed typically in traditional farm workers outfits, the girls in dresses with aprons and old frontier bonnets, and the boys in waistcoats and hats adorned with feathers, finished with the famous, hand-made red veldskoene from Wupperthal. This traditional dance form is recognized as a creative cultural expression, and includes courtship rituals, mimicking typical animal antics along with lots of bravado, showmanship and foot stomping.
At the recent South African Performing Arts Championships in Rustenburg, Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers walked away with the Grand Champion Award for "Best Group Performance."
They also won in three categories: "Ethnic Folk" dancing Riel, "Open Large Group" for their Riel Tap routine, and "Open Small Group" for their Gumboot routine.
Their equally talented Riel band, who will be accompanying the dancers to America, won the Overall Trophy Award for the "Original" category and took the Gold medal in both the "Open" and the "Original" categories.
Smith has unwavering faith in the ability of this group of dancers and is proud to take them to the world stage to compete among the best of the best. "Our sights are firmly set on bringing back the Gold from the World Championships of Performing Arts. We have been hard at work sourcing the funding to get our young dancers there and back, and the support from small and large businessesand the local community has been phenomenal." Apart from Bushmans Kloof and its owners the Tollman family, other major sponsors include Rooibos Limited, WESGRO and Reagola IT Management.
Click here to watch the Video of Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers at Kadoro. For the latest news and updates, follow Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers on Facebook under Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers or Wupperthal BK Riel Family.
For details and reservations, please contact Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat at +27 21 481 1860, email: info@bushmanskloof.co.za, or visit us online at www.bushmanskloof.co.za.
About Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is a luxurious ecological oasis situated at the foothills of the breathtaking Cederberg mountains. Nearly 19,000 acres of majestic views, staggering rock formations, open plains and invigorating outdoor activities cumulate to create an unforgettable wilderness adventure. The five-star resort features 16 luxurious rooms and suites, award-winning Cape cuisine and a complete wellness experience deeply rooted in nature. Bushmans Kloof also offers its private Koro Lodge to families and groups of travelers, featuring the fully-independent services of a guide, game viewing vehicle, and dedicated chef and hostess.
Bushmans Kloof is located less than three hours from Cape Town and is consistently recognized for its award-winning environmental and conservation projects. The entire reserve is malaria- and predator-free, serving as a sanctuary for endangered species, indigenous plants, and a variety of birds and animals. It is one of South Africa's Natural Heritage Sites as well as part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and home to more than 130 ancient Bushman rock art sites. Condé Nast Traveler readers recently voted Bushmans Kloof, a member of Relais & Châteaux, as the #1 'Resort and Safari Camp in Africa,' as well as the #3 'Top 100 Hotel and Resort in the World' during their 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. The gorgeous reserve has won numerous annual awards for its exceptional hospitality and opulent accommodations from National Geographic Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.
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