AZISHE! 2016: A DANCE FESTIVAL. Artistic director Sifiso Kweyama. Presented by Jazzart Dance Theatre. At the Artscape Theatre. SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews.
BOMBARDED as we are by daily news about miscreant youths, it is too easily forgotten that these fall into society’s minority. Most youngsters go about their daily lives wanting to learn, and, wherever offered, participate in extra mural activities. However, in poorer communities there is a dearth of these with which to attract children away from easily accessible drugs and gangs. So wherever established establishments reach out towards young people they must be encouraged and receive financial support.
That is, provided training is based on such sound dance principles that scholars could, if desired, take their studies further. Keeping children off the streets must have a constructive learning base. Not just an extension of how they naturally move.
Jazzart’s 7th Azishe! showcased Jazzart trainees and 14 outreach groups in a 3½ hour 15-piece programme. In age, dancers ranged from nine to post matric, as well as a few professional dancers in John Linden’s beautifully reconstructed, danced and costumed Water from an Ancient Well. Styles ranged from pantsula, sign language, hip hop and contemporary with neoclassical influences.
On average, costuming re-mained simple – co-ordinated everyday dress – giving each item colourful cohesion. Where obviously costumes were designed, such as Thandile Mandela and Elvis Sibeko’s traditionally crafted Nongqawuse(an ancient tale about Nongqawuse, who in 1856 claimed spirits told her if Xhosa people destroyed their crops and killed their cattle they would drive the British Settlers into the sea), or Tracey September’s Moving as 6, these matched themes.
Against an ever-changing hued cyclorama, gobos and framed by “legs,” noticeable was how confidently kiddies covered space and had audience awareness. With only one or two small exceptions these energetic dancers kept their head nicely poised, eyes focussed and smiling broadly danced “like old hands at the game.”
Azishe!, meaning let it burn, which commemorates the countrywide 1976 student uprising, opened with Darion Adams and Tanzley Jooste (Jazzart), taking turns to speak. Unfortunately poor diction and sound quality made it virtually impossible to hear what they said. However they made up for this inauspicious beginning, with their Eye to Eye choreography which explored abusive relationships.
In this they wriggled on the floor, used hand half-hand-stands, body rolls, heavy arm swings to portray their anguish. Duncan Maphanga’s (Amy Biehl Foundation) delightful Ayashisa Amateki kitted his group in blue jeans, white T-shirts, sneakers and primary coloured hats. As six dancers jerked, sprang, stamped and bounced they proved pantsula a dance of the people not of gangsters.
Tasteless hip gyrations, wriggles with sexual overtones in Charmonay Anthony’s (Eerste River Community Dancers) Off the Streets did little to show these children were being directed to a different behaviour pattern than seen too often on streets. In Ababhemu(choreographed by Vusi Makanya), three bare-chested men, through their powerful gymnastic like movements, told a moving story about breaking free from bondage.
Trying as life too often is Still Standing, choreographed by Devolution Dance Group’s Shamieg Allie and Adam Malebo, represented the stoicism found among people faced with untold hardships, but remain unbowed. White-faced and costumed in black and white, Marcel Marceau-like striped tops, 10 boys and two girls’s jerky actions lent the effect created by strobe lighting. A most effective piece.
Festivals are designed to bring together varying groups celebrating life situations. What audiences would appreciate is linking action to synopsis. Unless these match a composition has little meaning. This area is one choreographers should look at carefully. None-the-less seeing so many young people enthusiastic about what they are performing is always a pleasure.
For the next festival Jazzart’s Artistic Director Sifiso Kweyama is considering dividing the programme into two – a welcome idea.