Jazzart Dance Theatre: Azishe! 2013

Jazzart Dance Theatre Presented Azishe! an explosive celebration of dance from across the country from the 4 – 7 July 2013.

Translated from isiZulu, azishe means “let it burn” comes from the energy, passion and hunger to succeed that its participants have brought to Jazzart Dance Theatre’s, Azishe!, festival stage since 1999.

The annual dance festival provides a professional performance platform for young people to grow professionally from the opportunity to perform, under the guidance of accomplished professional choreographers and teachers, in a fully‐equipped theatre and to develop their creative and performance skills.

This year was a celebration of the various participants’ journeys, expressed through their inspiring different styles of dance. Azishe! provides a platform for professional dancers to share their work, while also nurturing emerging companies and creating space for community initiatives that build skills, confidence and empowerment.

The following groups performed fine examples of the way dance is moving and expressing new ideas.

Afrika Tikkun - Iqala Ngam 'We just wanna be Children'

Choreography: Fazeka Paul

The name Iqala Ngam which means “For change to take place it must start with me”. The motivation is for young girls to enjoy their lives and learn to survive within their circumstances. By knowing that their future only depends on them, by making the right choices now.

Jazzart Dance Theatre Outreach - Umlando

Choreography: Aphiwe Live and Wendy Thoane

This work was performed for the first time by two of the groups from Jazzart’s Outreach programme: Future Line Academy and Gijima Creative Arts respectively. Umlando takes the premise that each individual can only understand their own journey.

Dreamfinders - Life Architecture

Choreography: Mlekeleli Khuzwayo

Dreamfinders, from Kwa-Zulu Natal, performed Life Architecture, exploring the journey of our daily lives, from the highs and hot summer days, to the lows and cold winter nights, the road is never-ending as each day a new adventure unfolds. Shaking hands with the sad and merry, their passion for life which was once raw is now confined within the Almighty's law.

Jazzart Dance Theatre - Seya

Choreography: Jacqueline Manyaapelo

Rehearsal Director: Rozendra Newman

Seya, meaning joy, was inspired by the title track of Malian singer, Oumou Sangare’s, album. The piece was performed by the Jazzart female cast and explores ways of honouring women through understanding, healing, joy, celebration and deeper understanding of self. The piece speaks of individuality and of being grounded in an ever-changing world.

Jazzart Dance Theatre - You Are Beautiful

Choreography: Ina Wichterich-Mogane

Shaun Oelf, performed a solo called You Are Beautiful choreographed by Ina Wichterich-Mogane. He explored how we perceive our own reflection which is not always the image that other people see. To become a symbol of change, one must truly believe that we are beautiful.

Daveyton Arts Foundation - Elbeko

Choreography: Linda Lee Mhlongo

Elbeko by the Daveyton Arts Foundation in Gauteng combined dance with poetry, song and music to capture themes encompassing love, uncertainty, celebration and unity in diversity.

Jazzart Dance Theatre - Unlimited

Choreography: Mziyanda Mancam and Christopher Kindo

Unlimited, choreographed by Mziyanda Mancam, looked at a dancer’s intentions of connecting the internal with the external, and how gestures can be used as a means of expressing intention of the body and not limiting the conditions of the body. The piece explored the constant shifts and changes that happen both within and outside the body.

Jazzart Dance Theatre thanks the collaborators for their contribution to Azishe! 2013. We look forward to next years 'production and welcome you to see this amazing piece of art.