Jazzart Dance Theatre: Contempoary

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

Facebook:Jazzart Dance

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.

Annamaria Klucevsek, an American from Plymouth, Massachusetts was enrolled in an independent study for college credit where she travelled alone to South Africa to study global dance and education with Jazzart Dance Theatre at Artscape, Cape Town. She was welcomed by Eltena Rethman, who is the fundraising manager of Jazzart and who took her under her wings during her time here.

She learnt the routine for Seya 'meaning joy' in the annual dance performance called Azishe! in the beginning of July. She certainly gave it her all. "Azishe" to her was a totally different dance style from what she had been training for during the past four years. The technique captured the grounded-ness and effortless fluidity of the intended choreography. She managed to learn the piece in just under a week. She felt honoured and blessed to have the opportunity to share the stage with such incredibly talented dancers and beautiful people.

In her time here, she learnt that dance is a universal language that we all speak no matter where in the world we live. Our differences are what makes us unique. "You will never dance like anybody else, no matter how hard you try. You can try to look the same as someone else, but the way in which you tell your story though dance, will never be found in someone other than you."

On one particular day, the Jazzart Outreach Coordinator, Mziyanda Mancam took her along to teach a handful of dance classes to a community outside of Cape Town. She was privileged to work with children ages 8-14 from a variety of backgrounds. The children are not all fortunate to have supportive families or stable health so they look forward to days when they can use the arts as an expressive outlet. These amazing children have inspired her to keep doing what she is doing and to never give up no matter what.

View her blog on: http://www.doalittledancesouthafrica.blogspot.com/

Jazzart Dance Theatre

Tel: +27 21 410 9848

e-mail: dance@jazzart.co.za

www.jazzart.co.za