FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 opens on 27 February

FNB Dance Umbrella 2010, presented by First National Bank in association with the National Arts Council and The Market Theatre will run from 27 February to 14 March. Performances will take place at various Johannesburg theatres: the Wits Theatre in Braamfontein; the UJ Centre for the Arts in Auckland Park; and The Dance Factory; The Market Theatre; and the Barney Simon theatre in Newtown.

On Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 February, the festival opens with the Stepping Stones 1 and 2 at the Wits Theatre, from 10:00 onwards. All the Stepping Stone stalwarts such as Dr Ranjit Lalloo’s Jhankhaar School of Dance from Lenasia; Linda Lee Mhlongo; and others form part of this jam-packed two-day programme. Entrance is free.

The FNB Dance Umbrella will have a grand opening with a once-off programme in a marquee on the parking area in front of The Dance Space, Newtown on Monday, 1 March from 19:00.

The main programme opens with San, a new work created by Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe, which can be seen at the Dance Factory on 2 and 3 March at 19:00.

Black!... White? by Nelisiwe Xaba will be presented at the Market Theatre on 2; 3; and 4 March at 20:30.

Durban-based choreographer Musa Hlatshwayo has created a new dance theatre choreo-poem called Moses that explores the politics of identity post former President Thabo Mbeki’s ‘I-am-an-African’ era. The work follows a socio-political dream that unfolds into an experience led by two youngsters whose journey leads them to challenges that rob them of their youth. The work can be seen at Goethe on Main on 3 and 4 March at 18:30.

There are Mixed Bill programmes featuring works from Acty Tang; PJ Sabbagha; Roslyn Wood Morris and Craig Morris; Nicola Elliot; Bailey Snyman; and Zingi Mkefa: on 3 and 4 March at 19:30 at the Barney Simon theatre. Acty Tang will present Child PJ Sabbagha with Deep Night and the Dikamoka Dance Theatre Lufuno-Love; on 5 and 6 Marchat 19:30 at the Wits Theatre, Refilwe Montsho, Sathembiso Khalishwayo, Sabelo Maphumulo and Mdu Mtshali present untitled works while Kieron Jina presents Facing Shadows and OKaile William Lekasapa presents Spanish Love; on 6 March at 19:00 and 7 March at 15:00 at the Barney Simon theatre Wood-Morris presents Foil, Nicola Elliot presents Story and Bailey Snyman Outside , while two untitled works are presented by Lucky Kele and Zingi Mkefa.

A selection of works, ‘highlights’ of previous FNB Dance Umbrella festivals will be presented at the FNB Gala evening on 5 March at the UJ Arts Centre and includes Dada Masilo’s Unraveling Carmen; Gary Gordon’s Go ; also Me and You by Christopher Kindo; and lastly, Black Man… White Balls, a work put together by Gregory Vuyani Maqoma. A special bonus performance of Gula by Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe is the fifth work in this programme. A special preview of this programme is open to the public on 4 March t 20:00.

Uncommissioned works that can be seen during the first week of the FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 include: elev(i)ate by choreographer, Athena Mazarakis and digital artist, Tegan Bristow, which can be seen at the Market theatre Foyer on 3 and 4 March.

Also on 3 and 4 March at the Barney Simon Theatre from 19:30 is a Triple Bill featuring works from Acty Tang from Grahamstown; PJ Sabbagha; and Dikamoka Dance Theatre from Johannesburg.

Konexion, choreographed by French dance company, Wanted Posse, is scheduled for the Market Theatre on 5 and 6 March at 20:30 and 7 March at 14:30.

For the two weeks of the FNB Dance Umbrella, from Tuesday to Friday at 13:00 in the Market Theatre foyer, there will be a series of face-to-face interviews and discussions, hosted by dance writer, Adrienne Sichel. Sichel will speak to selected choreographers regarding their works and the FNB Dance Umbrella. Artists to be interviewed include Vincent Mantsoe and Nelisiwe Xaba; Musa Hlatshwayo and Athena Mazarakis; Master class teacher, Nigel Charnock; Frauke on Butoh; Sello Pesa and Thabo Rapoo; Eric Languet from Reunion and Boyzie Cekwana; also Sbo Ndaba, Mcebisi Bhayi and Mamela Nyamza.

The FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 has been made possible with assistance from First National Bank and the National Arts Council. Other partners include The Market Theatre; The French Institute of South Africa; the French Embassy in South Africa, Culturesfrance; Business and Arts South Africa; The Goethe-Institute of Johannesburg; The British Council; and media partners: Citizen CitiVibe; ClassicFeel Magazine; and Artslink.co.za.

Tickets for the FNB Dance Umbrella are available at the door or can be booked at Computicket on 083 915 8000 and prices range from R60 to R100. Concessions/block bookings and subscription tickets are available. Booking opens in February 2010.

For more information, call 011 492 0709/2033 or email [email protected]. The FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 hot-line for updates and programme schedules is 072 703 9332. Alternatively, visit www.artslink.co.za/arts.