Emerge to Fly with Jazzart Dance Theatre

After two years of training, trainees of the Jazzart Training Programme will have to show their skills in the production, Bhabha, from 17 to 19 July at Artscape Theatre.

 

Bhabha, (meaning, to fly), a new Jazzart work, framed within the themes of democracy and freedom, is choreographed by Moeketsi Koena and directed by Jacki Job.   This production captures the joy, excitement and boldness of this group of dancers and enables them to emerge and fly into independence.  It reflects the beauty of their youth, spirits and limitless potential with ease.

 

The contemporary choreography of Moeketsi Koena, director of Inzalo Dance and Theatre Company (Johannesburg) and associate director for Madagascar International Dance Festival, promises vigorous entertainment that is not to be missed.

The 2014 trainees are Nichellé Linnert, Tamsyn Spannenberg,  Katlego Moncho, Lusanda Dayimani, Lee-Joel James Bosman, Yaseen Manuel, Lusindiso Dibela, Lewellyn Afrika, Nkosinathi Mngomezulu and Nkemiseng Khena.   They will be joined by Amy-Kay Klaasen and Sinazo Bokolo-Bruns.

 

Jazzart, the oldest contemporary dance company in the Cape (if not Africa) celebrates 41 years of existence.  From its inception, Jazzart has welcomed dancers from across the racial spectrum and specializes in contemporary dance, improvisation, gumboot dance, singing, tap dance, voice and physical theatre amongst others.  The Company is grateful for the continued support of the cultural institutions which will enable productions such as Bhabha to be staged.

Bhabha opens at Artscape Theatre on Thursday, 17 July at 20:15 for 4 performances only.  Tickets at R100 per ticket are obtainable from Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021-421 7695.  Book 10 tickets or more at R80 per ticket.  Pensioners and students qualify for an R80 ticket.

 

 

Jazzart Dance Theatre

www.jazzart.co.za
dance@jazzart.co.za

021 410 9848

 

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Twitter:@Jazzart_dance

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About Jazzart Dance Theatre:

Formed in 1973, Jazzart Dance Theatre is a non-profit organisation and a transformative African dance company at the cutting edge of contemporary dance. Recognised as a leading dance company, Jazzart has a reputation for award winning, innovative and imaginative work.

 

Divided into three components Jazzart Dance Theatre runs a very successful dance Training Programme, life changing Outreach Projects and the heartbeat of the organisation, the Jazzart Performance Company.

Performance Company

 

The heart of any theatrical company is the quality and creativity of its performance.  Jazzart has a history of producing innovative performances that have challenged us to think.

 

The Performance Company, consisting of professional dancers, is the public profile of Jazzart.  They display bold creativity rooted in passion, intelligence, dignity and technical excellence.

 

Jazzart’s creative process is an embodiment of a movement language based on improvisation, a core element of Jazzart’s training methodology.  The incorporation of improvisation generates a dynamic choreographic practice and provides inventive platforms for world class performances that reflect the ever-changing socio-political environment of South Africa and the world.

 

Training Programme

 

The Jazzart Training Programme provides full-time dance theatre training to young adults and is also the philosophical foundation for the Performance Company and the Outreach Programme.

 

Outreach Programme

 

The Outreach Programme provides dance, performance, training and creative interventions to about many young people each year.  These interventions use the arts as an educational tool and enables young people, mainly in historically disadvantaged communities to express their creativity.

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.

Jazzart Dance Theatre

Tel: +27 21 410 9848

e-mail: dance@jazzart.co.za

www.jazzart.co.za

 

 

Facebook: Jazzart Dance

Twitter: @Jazzart_dance

You Tube: JazzartDanceTheatre