The
line-up is simply too enticing for any contemporary dance lover and I look
forward to two weeks of rebellion. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
Still holding us hostage in history ...
Contemporary Dance has the power to shift
mindsets, challenge politics and tell unheard stories. This year JOMBA!
Contemporary Dance Experience celebrates, not just dancing bodies that are
stirring up a rebellion, but also 21 years of pure joy for dance, evolutionary
styles and artists, dancers, choreographers and even film makers from all
around the globe. This year, this dance experience exemplifies the theme of
migration and a quest for a place and space to bestow the title of home. As Dr
Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA! so aptly points out, the dance
experience this year aims to establish a community of migrant and exiled
bodies, who aim to create dance works that are a danger to politics and remind
us of the struggles that were fought over land and that some of these
unfurnished dreams are yet to be realised.
Opening night was populated with two works
from Cape Town based dance company, JAZZART. The first of which was Cape of Ghosts, choreographed by Durban
expat Sifiso Kweyama, who is no stranger to the stages of JOMBA!. This
choreography examines the history of slavery in Cape Town and the migrant
workers that built the city to its glory. It questions the promises made of
land and ownership and the denial of a 'home' for many exiled and migrant
labourers who were forced to give up so much. The astute technique is
integrated well with the concept of displacement and forgotten-ness as well as
longing to a homeland. This notion of the minorities being usurped by the
disadvantaged majority is very evident and the piece reveals a revolt to the
power systems of apartheid and enslavement. The risky lifts were juxtaposed
with heavy falling which made for interesting disarray. The lights were
simplistic but effective. The main idea of freeing the enslaved and returning
one to the land they call home is ever clear. Secondary to this was the theme
of misuse of power. I particularly enjoyed the accapella rhythms created by the
dancers.
The second dance piece, Limitless Self, was choreographed by
Shaun Oelf. This exploration of the self in relation to community was rather
intriguing. The floor work here was more gentle than the first piece. The pair
work was more challenging and saw much greater risks in terms of lifts and
catches. I watched with joy as these six dancers displayed their technique and
stamina with great agility and poise. Both pieces portray the versatility of
contemporary dance and the amalgamation of styles evident in it.
JOMBA! runs nightly for the next two weeks
with the line-up changing every second night. While the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre is the primary venue, there are other performance venues like the KZNSA
Art Gallery. We also see the return of Vincent Mantsoe and Boysie Cekwana along
with some new artists from Washington. The line-up is simply too enticing for
any contemporary dance lover and I look forward to two weeks of rebellion. - Verne
Rowin Munsamy
Booking is at Computicket.
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