Dance Umbrella showcases South Africa's many diverse cultures
FROM Shembe to classical, by way of Khoi, pantsula and modern dance, the 2005 FNB Dance Umbrella again promises to be a highlight of Joburg's cultural calendar. This year 14 new works have been commissioned from local and international choreographers.
February 11, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE annual FNB Dance Umbrella, which starts on Sunday, 13 February and runs until Saturday, 19 March in Johannesburg, this year looks at South Africa's many diverse cultures.
Dance lovers will be exposed to traditional dance from the Shembe, the Khoi and the San, as well as the more well-known classical ballet. The festival is spread across Johannesburg, with programmes and shows in several venues, including the Wits Theatre in Jorissen Street, Braamfontein; The Dance Factory in the Newtown Precinct; Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown; and Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.
Of the 19 programmes in the festival, 14 are new works commissioned from local and international choreographers. While the focus is on dance, some of the performances incorporate live music, storytelling and praise poetry.
The festival kicks off with "Stepping Stones 1" at 10am at the Wits Theatre. "Stepping Stones 2" is on 20 February, also at the Wits Theatre at 10am. "Stepping Stones 1 and 2" feature a number of community dance troupes, who are performing a variety of dance forms, including pantsula and traditional dance. Dancers like Mcebisi Bhayi, Sifiso Thabethe, Vishanti Arumugam and Alfred Rapelego, Thabang Ntsere, Yvonne Mogotji, Lynore Blum and Gift Mlambo are part of the collective.
"Open Platform" is also on at the Wits Theatre. It showcases the work of young choreographers who have participated in the NAC choreographic residency programme. It is on at 2pm on Saturday, 19 February.
"These programmes will exploit the works of the young, up and coming dancers in the country and we are hoping people will come in numbers," says Georgina Thomson, the FNB Dance Umbrella artistic director.
The main programme begins on 23 and 24 February at 8pm, at The Dance Factory. First up is British choreographer Akram Khan with "Ma", a critically acclaimed work that integrates dance, text and live music. "Ma" explores issues of motherhood and the fragile connections between people and their land.
The FNB Dance Umbrella Programme:
Cape Town-based Jazzart Dance Theatre and Magnet Theatre present "Rain In A Dead Man's Footprint" at Mary Fitzgerald Square on 24 and 25 February at 6.30pm. This production evokes the sights and sounds, history and myths of the /Xam people of the Northern Cape. It uses dance, singing, storytelling, puppetry, music, physical theatre and fire to give some insight into the almost forgotten culture of the /Xam.
Swiss choreographers Gregor Metzger, Martin Zimmerman and Dimitri de Perrot present "Janei" at The Dance Factory on 26 February at 8pm and on 27 February at 6pm. In this work the artists direct themselves on stage, as both objects and persons simultaneously.
Once again "New Moves" is part of the festival and features choreographers such as Louise Coetzer, Lucky Kele, Linda Lee Mhlongo, Timothy Moagi, Zoey Lapinsky, Pule Molebatsi and Thembinkosi Puwane. "New Moves" is on at The Wits Theatre on 28 February and on 1 March at 7.30pm.
Gerard Bester's new work, "Attachments", is on 2 and 3 March at The Wits Downstairs Theatre. The work consists of three duets and will be combined with last year's acclaimed "When We First", "Sleeptalk" and "Lost In Away". Athena Mazarakis and Craig Morris are the dancers.
A mixed bill, featuring South African choreographers Gary Gordon, Acty Tang, Mandla Bebeza, Songezo Mchilizeli and Ignatius van Heerden, is on the programme for 3 and 4 March at The Wits Theatre at 7.30pm.
"Somehow Delightful", choreographed by Gregory Maqoma, is on at The Dance Factory on 4 and 5 March at 8pm. This production is a multi-disciplinary work that brings together dance, film, song and visual art in a conceptual flight of memories.
"Beautiful Ones Must Be Born" is on at Constitution Hill on 5 and 6 March at 6pm. The work is a site-specific composition from Jay Pather that draws on Zulu praise poetry, the Greek Oresteia, the story of Shaka, and the Indian epic, the "Mahabaratha". It includes Shembe dance, classical ballet, Bharatha Natyam and San and Khoi dance.
"Duas Sem Tres", at The Dance Factory on 7 and 8 March at 7.30pm, is performed by Rosy Timas and Elizabeth Fernandez from Cape Verde. This new work was commissioned from Moeketsi Koena. Also on the programme is "Dankie Pitoli", performed by Durbanite Sibonakaliso Ndaba. Reginald Danster is to perform an untitled piece.
The Wits Theatre hosts a mixed bill programme on 9 and 10 March at 7.30pm, including works by Anso Scrooby, Deidre Wood, Constance Kau, Nelisiwe Xaba, Sello Pesa and Ellington Mazibuko.
"Cut" by Boyzie Cekwana, is on at The Wits Downstairs Theatre on 11 and 12 March at 7.30pm. This is a work of calculated improvisation, stops, starts, light and shade.
"Virtually Blond", choreographed by Gregory Maqoma for Moving Into Dance Mophatong, is scheduled for 11 and 12 March at The Wits Theatre at 8.30pm. This edgy and confrontational work deals with the body to reveal one's hidden narratives, asking questions like "How much of ourselves are we prepared to reveal to others and to the self?" and "What do we keep hidden or secret, and why?"
A new work by PJ Sabbagha, "Still Here" is booked for The Dance Factory at 7.30pm on 14 and 15 March. "Still Here" explores people's experiences over the past 10 years.
Steven Cohen and Elu, who have been in France for the past two years, return to South Africa with the Chopinot Ballet Company. Elu presents "Munk/Punk" and Cohen presents "Dancing Inside Out" at The Wits Downstairs Theatre on 16 and 17 March at 8pm. Also on the bill is the controversial "So Is 'n Os Gemaak" by Peter van Heerden.
The final programme takes place at The Wits Downstairs Theatre at 7.30pm on 18 and19 March. This production features works by two Phillip Stein Grant recipients - Athena Mazarakis and Hlengiwe Lushaba - as well as "Unknown Citizens" by Mdu Mthsali. Tebby Ramasike also returns to South Africa after a decade in Europe, with "If You Can't Chain My Soul, Then Chain The World".
"We have an excellent and fantastic programme which we hope the audience will enjoy," says Thomson.
Tickets for the 2005 FNB Dance Umbrella are available at the door or can be booked at Computicket. Prices range from R25 to R50 and concession and block bookings and subscription tickets are also available.
For more information contact the FNB Dance Umbrella on 011 482 4140/5179/5615 or at danceambrella@artslink.co.za
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