Dance crews from South Africa and the world are ready to bust out their moves at the 26th “JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience”.
Under the theme “Finding Our Way Home”, the 13-day explosive programme, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN)Centre for Creative Arts, gets underway from Tuesday, August 27 to Sunday, September 8 at various Durban venues.
This year, festival organisers have upped the ante by including a host of international guests dancers from countries like India, France, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, the US and Germany.
Amid scores of dance performances, there will also be after-performance talks, a series of free workshops and master classes.
There will also be a screen dance residency, a dance writers residency and a smaller curated festival at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
The festival curator’s Dr Lliane Loots, explained: “This year it is set against a backdrop of both local and global political renegotiations of what it means to be human, to belong, to have a home and to be a citizen of a country (and of a planet).
“Against an occupied Gaza, a ravaged Ukraine, anti-foreigner right-wing political movements in Europe, a South African Government of National Unity that is busy maneuvering for power … JOMBA! begins to ask what it means to find our way home”.
Opening the festival is Cape Town’s Jazzart Dance Theatre’s triple-bill titled, “Resilience”.
It features three captivating dance productions: “I am African”, which is choreographed by Jazzart's head of training, Sifiso Kweyama; “Battlefield”, choreographed by ex-Jazzart dancer, Lihle Mfene; and “Dark Flock”, crafted by the award-winning duo Manacan.
Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy, a dancer and choreographer based in Bangalore, will be supported by the Indian Consulate General (Durban), ICCR, and the Swami Vivekananda Centre (Durban) in his double bill, “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam”.
Shivaswamy has deep roots in traditional Indian dance styles, yet he is strongly rooted in the creation of contemporary dance and the quest to create new ways to portray contemporary Indian identities.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s award-winning dancer, Boyzie Cekwana’s “On Behalf of a Collective Sigh”, created in collaboration with American musician Maritri Garret, will traverse the terrain of love, loss, mental illness, memory and ageing.
The piece uses spoken and written text, movement and heartfelt folk music to tell its story.
Cekwana will also be included in the lecture “I Hate You for Watching This”, which tells the exciting story of how disco and dancing almost turned the globe upside down.
In addition, Steven Chauke and Kristi-Leigh Gresse's dance works are set to be included in the Jomba! On The Edge programme as part of the festival's objective to commission, support and promote local artists.
Cape Town-based dancer Yaseen Manuel will also present “Madha Kan”, which is a personal journey that interrogates the current events unfolding in Palestine, capturing not only the harsh realities but also the deep compassion and kindness of its citizens.
The festival will also see France-based dance company, Ex Nihilo and Durban’s Flatfoot Dance Company collaborate on “Close by … /La rue d’à-côté …”.
The piece will explore and encounter the exterior pathways and ways of being that emerge from immersive research that looks at how space is explored by the body.
Meanwhile, Robyn Orlin, a seasoned dance artist from South Africa, will receive recognition as the 2024 JOMBA! Legacy Artist in recognition of her four decades of politically-charged, inventive and profoundly insightful dance and theatre productions.
As part of “The Jomba! Youth Open Horizons” programme, youth groups will showcasing 12 new works.
Another exciting addition to this year’s festival is “Jomba! Talks Dance”, where discussions will centre around the current silencing of artists in times of conflicts.
A series of free workshops and master classes will also be on offer.
These workshops are only open to dancers aged 16 and over. Advance bookings need to be secured by emailing [email protected], at least two days prior.
Tickets start from R65 or R390 for a full festival pass. Booking can be made at Computicket. For more information, visit jomba.ukzn.ac.za.
“Chal Naach - Let’s Dance”
Dance-lovers can experience the vibrance of dance and enjoy performances by renowned dance companies at the upcoming dance showcase, “Chal Naach - Let’s Dance”.
The dance production, which is currently in its second year, will see performances by some of the most celebrated and revered dance companies and academies in the country.
They include the Rudra Dance Theatre, the Paramathman Dance Theatre, the Kumari Shiksha Dance Institute, the Vande Mataram Productions and the Nehaal Productions.
Where: The Playhouse Opera Theatre in Durban Central.
When: Saturday, August 24, at 2pm and 6pm.
Cost: Tickets cost R150 and can be purchased at Webtickets.