'Change' in memory of Gavin Smit

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GEORGE NEWS - Everything starts and ends in a heartbeat. Everything is in a constant state of change. In the garden of the soul, our memories will live forever and we will remember our loved ones as we pass through the valley of pain.

These thoughts occupied dance teacher Christelle Smit in February this year when she conceptualised her studio's dance show for 2022, titled Change.

The performance was showcased at the George Arts Theatre last weekend and was dedicated to her late husband, Gavin Smit, who passed away on 11 August, two weeks before opening night.

The audience was swept along on an emotional journey of life's changes, creatively portrayed by the dancers of the Christelle Smit Dance Academy.

"Experiencing all the changes happening in life with a terminally ill husband triggered the reality of change in all our lives," said Smit.

"Going through the various emotions that follow drastic change in one's life, the realisation that we as humans are so limited stared at me. When the chaos of life's fires surround us we search for stillness in the midst of it all."

The senior cast in a piece that says, "Smile, though your heart is aching. Smile even though it’s breaking".

Smit said choreographing these various works helped heal her pain, by grace alone: "Living with faith, accepting what cannot be changed. So through this journey of change my husband of 44 years passed away two weeks before opening night. The biggest change happened in my life.

"I wanted to share with the audience that there is always hope, strength and the will to not give up. A choice we all need to make in our lives - do I give up or do I continue by grace? My choice was to continue and from that moment onwards, the strength, support, prayers and love of my students helped me to complete the choreography and dedicate this very special production to my beloved."

PHOTO GALLERY: Change - Tribute to Gavin Smith

Smit has been teaching contemporary, modern and jazz genres in dance for the past 46 years. "There is healing in movement," she said.

"Dance teaches so much more than just steps put together - the discipline, awareness and faith not to give up."

The Change with dancers Nico Fourie, Lindy Prinsloo, Eunika Germishuys, Talitha Reinstorf, Zani du Plessis, Kesia Gelderbloem and Niesje Reinstorf.

Dancers Lindy Prinsloo, Niesje Reinstorf, Zani du Plessis and Talitha Reinstorf in a piece that speaks to the garden of our souls where our memories will live forever.

Junior dancers Jana Snyman, Ava Reyneke, Zia Swart, Siena Torley, Zetske Labuschagne, Anneliene Vorster, Isabella Shamley and Cailey Swanepoel. This performance portrays our own feelings of being a little bit lost sometimes... and it's all right. Photos: Michelle Pienaar