Superstar Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta to grace da:ns festival in Singapore

Acosta believes the dance world is more diverse now and audiences are much more receptive to black and mixed-race dancers. Photo: AFP

Ballet took Carlos Acosta from the slums of Havana to superstardom on the stages of the world. But when his company Acosta Danza makes its Singapore debut at the Esplanade's da:ns festival next month, it will be Cuban influences that shine brightest.

The annual dance festival by the Esplanade will run from Oct 10-20, with Acosta, who rose from poverty to become the first black principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London, as one of the headlining acts.