Challenging new works by South African and international choreographers will feature in the Sibikwa Arts Centre’s new dance programme,
The Eye of the Storm, at the Dance Factory on 17 and 18 April. Audiences can expect these works to showcase an exciting blend of established and emerging dance talent.
Danish dance and theatre artist, Anika Kristensen Barkan, and Israeli dance artist and Feldenkrais practitioner, Boaz Barkin, will be creating a new work in South Africa, having previously collaborated with Sibikwa in 2007 on
In the Wake of the Body, and in 2008 on
Down Flesh Road, both of which were presented at the Dance Factory.
In addition to the new collaborative piece that will be created by the Danish-based dancers, four solos will be performed, most of which will be accompanied by live music courtesy of the Sibikwa Arts African Indigenous Orchestra. This in itself will be a treat, with musicians singing and playing instruments such as the mokhoyani; uhadi; stolotolo; and dinaka panpipes, as well as marimbas and drums.
The programme premiers Cherice Mangiagalli’s new work,
The Place of the Wo(man), which is performed by six male dancers and seeks to explore the essence of 'womanness'. It focuses on the identity of the woman as the domesticated water carrier, following the journey she undertakes with strength; charisma; and vigour.
Mangiagalli is the artistic director and company manager of the Sibikwa Arts Dance Company, and her latest work promises a distinctive and engaging experience.
Also on the programme for
The Eye of the Storm is Escalating Drop, choreographed by Tebogo Munyai. This work takes the audience through contrasting elements in the journey through life: the struggles, the joys, the hardships and the honour, with personal images being employed in the narrative.
Rebirth/Reborn, choreographed by Lehlohonolo Dube, is inspired by curiosity about the processes of pregnancy. The way the baby sits, eats, breathes and turns is investigated, as is the strength of the mother.
Taemane Mothobi’s
Internal Barriers displays the identities that individuals are embarrassed about; the identities we tend to hide from the outside world. It exposes the difficulties that we carry with us and explores the elements and devices we use to conceal our authenticity.
The Eye of the Storm is presented at the Dance Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 17 April at 14:30 and 18:00, and on Sunday, 18 April at 14:30. Tickets cost R40 and are available from Computicket or at the door. Group discounts are available for bookings of 10 or more people. For block bookings contact Linda at Sibikwa on 011 422 4359 or email
[email protected].