Worlds collide at Dance Umbrella
23 February 2006
Johannesburg's FNB Dance Umbrella celebrates its 18th year on the international map as a platform for works from both local and international companies.
This year the festival hosts two foreign companies as well two collaborative works created by South African and international artists.
There are 18 programmes of work representative of all forms of contemporary choreography and dance, and no performances run at the same time, so audiences can attend every show.
The 2006 FNB Dance Umbrella runs from 24 February to 18 March at the Wits Theatre Complex, Dance Factory, University of Johannesburg Arts Centre, Sandton Square and Market Theatre.
The programme features works by choreographers who have dug deep into their own experiences to bring the audience emotionally charged performances.
Take choreographer Mxolisi George Khumalo. He was born in Soweto in 1971 and grew up through a politically tumultuous time. His youth was spent playing football, boxing and street dancing. After a stint as a waiter he took up dance classes with the Kopano Community Project and within a few years he was sharing the stage with the best choreographers in the business.
His work, on 13 and 14 March at the Dance Factory, is an emotive exploration of interpretations, urban identity and letting go of the negative energies of past experiences that one's body stores.
For choreographer Sello Pesa, dealing with change and challenges that arise from living in South Africa is close to his heart. He expresses this in his piece Thapo at the Wits Downstairs Theatre on 16 and 17 March. Thapo investigates the relationship between art and traditional rituals, acknowledging the importance of understanding the past.
Among the international international choreographers taking part are Switzerland's Nicole Seiler. She has produced Madame K, an entertaining look at the obsession with appearances and perfection.
A Young Choreographers residency programme is also being hosted for the duration of the festival. A handful of young artists who have created promising pieces of work were chosen for the residency. South African Pesa and his Dutch contemporary, Emio Greco, will mentor them, encouraging them to try new ways of working and to network with their peers.
Ticket prices for the shows range from R40 to R60 and can be bought at the venues' doors, or at Computicket outlets. There is a 20% discount for bookings for three or more shows and a 30% discount for block bookings of 10 or more.
For more information, phone Artslink on 011 482 4140 or log on to the Artslink website.
For a full programme, visit this City of Johannesburg webpage.
Source: City of Johannesburg
