Lunch Beat

Some workers in Sweden have found a rather offbeat way to spend their lunch hour. Actually, on-beat is more like it. Dipping in sweat and awash in disco lights, they dance away to pulsating club music at Lunch Beat, a trend that started in Stockholm and is spreading to other cities in Europe. Then they go back to work.

"It is absolutely fantastic!" exclaimed Asa Anderson, 33, who broke away from her job at a coffee shop to bust away some moves last week. "It is the first time I am here. I'm totally happy and ecstatic, totally covered in sweat and I am full of energy. It does not get any better than this".

The first Lunch Beat was held in June 2010 in an underground parking lot in Stockholm. Only 14 people turned up. But they had so much fun they immediately planned another event. Word soon spread and now the Swedish capital has monthly Lunch Beats that attracts hundreds.

Similar events have been held in at least 10 other Swedish cities and in Finland and Serbia. Portugal's first try will be in Porto this month, organisers say. - AP

National Dance Academy's New Semester 2012

The National Academy of Arts Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) will be starting its new semester in July 2012. The academy is currently inviting students who wish to pursue various professional arts courses in Malaysia. The faulty of dance offers two programmes: diploma and degree - that provide a range of courses to fully prepare students for a career in performing arts by teaching Malay Dance, Chinese Dance, Indian Dance, Ballet, Modern, Improvisation and Choreography as well as several theory subjects.

Each academic year comprises two semesters, each 16 weeks long, and students who register for a full-time programme which takes three years will graduate with a Diploma in Performing Arts or Bachelor of Dance, fully recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Entry qualification is by a placement interview and audition process. Full-time students pay approximately RM6000 for the whole tuition course.

Other diplomas offered are in theatre, music, writing, film and fine arts. Interviews and auditions for the July semester will be carried out in May. For details, call 03-26971777. Those interested can download the application forms from www.aswara.edu.my or collect the application forms with a postal order of RM10. Interested candidates can also send a self-addressed envelope to ASWARA, 464 Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. (The Star)