ndini wako

kids workshop gallery

color [ME] africa

The performance was an experiment of Afro-fusion and dance theater. The narrative dealt with the transition from colonial to post-colonial to neo-colonial Africa focusing on the emotional experiences of the average citizens. Most of the choreography focused on exaggerated gesture and involved voice and face giving the piece a distinct dance theater feel. This was November 2005.

we came

We Came: This earthy testimonial of a Zimbabwean “child of the soil” evokes and agitates the memories of the dust to call forth the elemental passion and energy of the African continent. This is a celebration of life at its most primal and honest. In We Came, you witness and explore the lyrical and chaotic aspects of freedom inspired the traditional rhythmic movements of Zimbabwe.

…

process

This video show snippets from the process of creating Color [ME] Africa. it was and eight week process involving ten dancers from the College of the Atlantic. The material being dealt with was a contemplation of the state of contemporary Zimbabwe. The psychosocial experience of poverty and oppression. The driving idea was that of a gestural collective reality. How do we design the movement of a period of time and also be true to the individual experience of each dancer to allow them to connect to the subject. The performance was about 45min long. and involved afrojazz music and live percussion by the movers. All proceeds when to ndini wako as always. There are more images of this performance in the gallery.

…

red

Red: Using the musical backdrop of Lees Waxul (Things Unspoken) by Yande Codou Sene and Youssou N’Dour Red explores the gestures of longing and worship. It is a meditative approach to gestures of isolation and longing – an attempt to see one’s psychological landscape through their skin. How do we read between the lines where there are none?

afrolonialism

Afrolonialism: This is a narrative on the reversal and simultaneous assimilation of the process of colonialism. With sly, references to tap, jazz and ballroom, it moves through and the delicious rhythms of Afro-Jazz by Abdul Ibrahim. This dance is a play off how consolidation is a part of evolution and it is also partly, what it means to be African. Apartheid folds and fusion prevails for chaos always returns everything (including cultures) to dynamic harmony.

…