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
Facebook:
Jazzart Dance
Twitter:
@Jazzart_dance
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JazzartDanceTheatre
