Kabusha Tradi-Contemporary International Dance Festival: Re-imagine. Re-invent. Re-define.

7^th September

In celebration of Heritage Month, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in association with Sibikwa Arts Centre’s Kabusha Tradi-Contemporary International Dance Festival, present a triple bill of cutting-edge dance pieces on 17 & 18 September 2021. Weaving diverse traditional and contemporary dance cultures, the programme features: Um Segundo ‘One Second’ by Edna Jaime (Mozambique), Iqhawe Elingaphakathi ‘Shadow Pillar’ by Mcebisi Bhayi (South Africa), and Kuzaliwa Upya ‘Reincarnation’ by Thapelo Kotlolo (South Africa).

When the drummers change their beats the dancers must also change their steps.

– African Proverb

Kabusha, a new international dance exchange launching this year, will initiate an immersive experience filled with movement, music, exploration and adventure; promoting cultural cooperation and cross-border exchange. The festival will merge traditional and contemporary dance forms that promote the preservation of our heritage, existing across generations of African dancers, while exploring possibilities to Re-imagine…Re-invent…Re-define…

Dance, as one of the oldest forms of cultural expression, translates spiritual energy to a higher consciousness transcending time, space and reality. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has seen billions of people physically, emotionally and spiritually isolated; dance is able to bring us together, shorten the distance between us…they and them, and rekindle well-being, inspiration and hope at a time of anxiety and uncertainty.

Presenting works that explore and showcase the choreographers’ perceptions of spirituality, ancestral connections and evolving identities; Kabusha promises audiences a moment to appreciate the connections between Afro cultures, interlacing traditional and contemporary dance forms in response to the new norms.

The festival will also offer local dancers a workshop by Edna Jaime, titled Bodies Against Time, which proposes a time of meeting with oneself and with the other, to reflect on the constantly adapting demands on the body and to seek new possibilities of and through movement. Following the workshop, there will be a dialogue on Tradi-Contemporary Dance Views among female choreographers from South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar.

“We are proud to be supporting the Sibikwa Arts Centre’s Kabusha Tradi-Contemporary International Dance Festival, especially during Heritage Month, and we are proud to play our part in supporting the arts which have been devastatingly impacted by the pandemic. We believe that this will be an opportunity to foster meaningful collaborations and curiosity between South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Our hope for each workshop, is for all aspiring dancers to have the chance to explore the world of possibilities available to them through this exciting medium.”

Dates & Target Audience: On 17 and 18 September, performances will target Creative Arts High School learners/Dance Studios and the general public respectively.

• Venue: Sibikwa Arts Centre, Benoni
• Show Times: 17 September, 14h00 and 18 September, 15h00
• Ticket Price: Students R30; Adults R50
• Food and drinks will be sold on 18 September.
• Workshop: 19 September, 09h00 – 12h00, Sibikwa Arts Centre, Benoni.
• Dialogue: 19 September, 13h00 – 14h30, Sibikwa Arts Centre, Benoni.