Press release

Jazzart’s dance showcase celebrates South African talent

Jazzart Dance Theatre and some of South Africa’s most talented dancers provide another good reason to celebrate being South African this July.

As World Cup fever fades Jazzart’s annual dance showcase Danscape promises to lift audiences’ spirits with a feast of diverse dance styles when it is staged at Artscape from 22 – 25 July.

Contemporary, African and Indian dance genres will be performed and also fused together in works performed by youth arts organisations under the direction of Jackie Manyaapelo, Jazzart’s artistic director.

Danscape 2010 will feature the artistry of Durban-based Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre, CAFDA Youth Dance Company, Tertia Kindo Arts Project, Jikeleza Dance Project and Vadhini Indian Arts Academy, as well as dancers from Western Cape Education Departments Arts and Culture Focus Schools. The Jazzart company and trainee dancers will also perform new works, while Zip Zap Circus has also helped some dancers incorporate circus art into their repertoire.

Manyaapelo believes Danscape 2010 is a great example of how South African artists can contribute to the process of nation-building. “Dance is one of the most profound ways of initiating healing and growth, as it takes what is great from all the strands of our cultural heritage and weaves them together into a distinctly South African art form,” she says.

“The 2010 season will offer audiences a taste of the future, and will show how far down the road we are in the process of nation-building and of creating dance that honours our collective cultural heritage.”

“On a more personal level, the montage of dance works is a homage to the contributions of all those who have guided Jazzart on its journey to this point, and to all those unsung dance ‘heroes’ who have worked so passionately at a community level to pass on a love and appreciation of dance to young South Africans,” adds Manyaapelo.

Danscape 2010 will be staged at the Artscape Theatre from Thursday, July 22 until Sunday, July 25. There will be shows nightly at 20h15 from July 22 – 24, with a 15h00 matinee on July 24. The final show will take place on Sunday, July 25 at 18h00.
Tickets are R50, or R20 for block bookings of 20 tickets or more.

Bookings can be made through Computicket or Artscape’s Dial-a-Seat on tel. 021-421-7695. For further information visit www.jazzart.co.za


Danscape 2010 is kindly supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, ARTSCAPE, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Distell, GrandWest Cape Culture and Heritage Foundation, National Arts Council, Chiappini Charitable Trust, Debbie Goodman Bursary Fund, Sello Leshope and patrons of Jazzart’s “Adopt-a-Dancer” programme.