CASTING SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS
DANCE enthusiasts are bracing themselves for two weeks of cutting-edge footwork as Johannesburg’s premier dance event, Dance Umbrella, returns.
Marking its 27th anniversary, the internationally renowned event returns as a stand-alone after three years of being staged within the Arts Alive Festival. The contract has now lapsed.
Festival director Georgina Thomson says Dance Umbrella returns with an innovative programme giving young and established choreographers a platform.
“This year, we are able to stage a stand-alone festival because of the funding we got through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund,” she says.
“While we were part of Arts Alive, the shows that we featured were limited. We were given few days, which was a problem in a country that has so much talent.”
The event starts on February 26 until March 15 at Johannesburg venues such as Goethe on Main, Wits Theatre, Dance Factory, and the John Kani Theatre in Newtown.
The focus is youth devel- opment. At least 12 productions by young choreographers and student choreographers will be presented.
The programme will also shine a spotlight on female choreographers who will present innovative dance pieces.
Female choreographers such as Thoko Sidiya, Kitty Petla, Mamela Nyamza, Sonia Radebe, Jennifer Dallas, Nora Chipaumire and Nelsiwe Xaba have been included in the bill.
This year ’ s programme also caters for hip-hop and pantsula dance styles through Street Beat.
As someone who has been involved in Dance Umbrella since its inception, Thomson struggles to grasp why dance fails to attract sponsors.
When the dance event is over, Thomson and her team have a huge task to search for next year ’ s sponsor.
She says that, since FNB ended its support, they have struggled to secure a private sponsor.
“South Africa has abundant dance talent that is yet to be unearthed and developed. Through platforms like Dance Umbrella, those talents can be taken to another level, ” Thomson says.
“We want to continue producing new dancers.”