The 29th edition of the annual Dance Umbrella festival
is taking place at the Wits Theatre Complex, Braamfontein from February 23 to
March 5, 2017.
The full programme includes 13 commissioned works, 13 new works
and six Johannesburg South African premieres. Artists from Kwa-Zulu Natal have
been included in the programme as follows:
Lady, Lady by Gaby Saranouffi, Desiré Davids from Durban and Edna
Jaime at the Wits Theatre, March 2 and 3 at 20h00, presents an experience into
a female universe, built up by the personal journeys of three female artists
from different countries within the Southern Africa region (South Africa,
Mozambique and Madagascar). They share, search, explore and exchange their
realities in order to give voice to various commonalities, challenges and
images. Production by Centre Cultural Franco- Mozambican - CCFM (Maputo);
VAHINALA Dance Company (Madagascar); Co-
production: I'TRÔTRA International Dance Festival (Madagascar); The Floating Outfit Project South Africa – supported
by the National Arts Council; Support and partnerships: Swiss Arts Council Pro
Helvetia; Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation, Institut Francais and
Institute Francis Afrique du Sud.
Closing the festival on March 5 is the Young Artists Programme
where six young choreographers will present new works: from 10h00 at the Wits
Downstairs Theatre - Thami Tshabalala (K-Mad Dance Company); Douglas Sekete
(Koketso Dance Project); Khaya Ndlovu and from 11h15 at the Wits Amphitheatre -
Phumlani Nyanga (Vuyani Dance Company; Seodigeng Keaoleboga; Ashleigh Joubert,
Bonwa Mbontsi and Tegan Peacock (ReRouted Dance Theatre) from Pietermaritzburg.
The Dance Umbrella festival had its
beginnings when two journalists, Marilyn Jenkins and Adrienne Sichel, both with
a passionate interest in contemporary choreography and dance, approached the
Vita Awards, requesting that they initiate a contemporary dance festival in South
Africa; and the Vita Dance Umbrella, under the aegis of AA Life and Vita
Promotions (under the directorship of Philip Stein) was launched in
Johannesburg in 1989. Dance Umbrella, an annual festival, has become the platform
for new South African work – and is considered to be the place to show and see
work by both artists and international programmers. It includes new
commissioned work by South African companies/choreographers; invited
international companies; young artists; a series of workshops and/or master
classes and discussions and debates regarding the dance industry. Today the Festival, under the artistic directorship of
Georgina Thomson, is widely acknowledged as the premier contemporary dance
festival in Africa.
Dance
Umbrella 2017 is funded by the Mzansi Golden Economy fund, Department of Arts
and Culture; the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture and
the National Arts Council. Other partners include the French Institut South
Africa; Goethe Institut Johannesburg; Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia;
Splitbeam; Outreach Foundation; Wits Theatre and Creative Feel Magazine.
Tickets
for Dance Umbrella 2017 range from R20 to R120, book at Computicket 083 915
8000 or www.computicket.com or
call 011 492 2033 to reserve tickets.
For
block booking discounts and programme updates, call 011 492 2033 or email info@danceforum.co.za
To
book a place for the Master Classes call Lethabo at 011 492 2033.
For
the Dance Umbrella 2017 programme and updates on the Master Classes visit www.danceforumsouthafrica.co.za Follow Dance
Umbrella on: Twitter: @danceumbrellaSA / Facebook: Dance Umbrella Festival
Johannesburg / Instagram: Dance_Umbrella_SA
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