The third season of the reality dance competition Step Up or Step Up on e.tv and produced by Endemol South Africa is stepping out and stepping up the drama in front of and behind the judges' table for the show which is currently busy with nationwide auditions.
When Step Up or Step Out starts on Sunday 23 June on e.tv at 18:05 viewers will see an even more heightened sense of drama and theatrics imbued in the show, thanks in large parts to the over-the-top, yet awesome, histrionics of judge Khabonina Qubeka.
Flanked by fellow Step Up or Step Out judges Emile XY and Themba "Euphonik" Nkosi at the Cape Town auditions in Athlone on Saturday and Sunday, Khabonina Qubeka didn't just make sure the centre holds, she positively made the experience of judging and verbal banter come alive.
Then there's also new presenter and hip-hop artist Silkour who will infuse a new flavour into the show which has been a viewership and ratings success for e.tv.
The surprise reality hit which has come into its own and became a solid performer ratings wise from the second season, is the reason why dance crews across South Africa now streams to auditions.
Saturday saw dance groups from as far afield as Oudtshoorn make their way to Cape Town, like New Nation, who've been dancing together for only a month. They had to run the last 10km to the auditions held at the Dance for All Studios after their tyre burst. (They made it - both to the auditions and getting the thumbs up from the judges.)
Other dance crews were less lucky. "It's like a shoe. You put the polish on but you haven't shined it. You need to polish it up," said Themba "Euphonik" Nkosi to another dance crew.
Already the number of entries for Step Up or Step Out is averaging more than last year for the second season according to the production staff, and the Durban, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth audition phase is still laying ahead.
"I have an understanding of reaching and trying to get to the top," new presenter Silkour told TV with Thinus on Saturday when I asked what he will try to bring to Step Up or Step Out.
"My career was also molded like this. I was also going against the odds and I was trying to get to the top. I can relate with a lot of these kids' ambition to be where they want to be and not forgetting where you come from. It reminds me that I was once there, trying to break out in the music industry."
I asked him how presenting a reality show will be different - and what skills he thinks he will bring to this production. "I don't see it as reality show. I do what I do. It's not like ... I don't wake up in the morning and go, 'This is a reality show.' I'm just being myself. I go, 'There is a reason you got called here.' "
He has advice for dance crews who are still going to audition in Bloemfontein, Durban and Port Elizabeth. "There's no point getting here and being nervous," says Silkour. "This is what you're here to do. This is what you believe you want to do - to be a dancer. So it's time for you to shine. It's the last thing you want to do: Blame yourself for being nervous. It's okay to be nervous, but don't let your nervousness impact your performance."
