Dance Umbrella 2018

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the premier platform of South African contemporary choreography and dance will run at various theatres around Joburg.

Gerard Bester

Gerard Bester, who was in the inaugural Dance Umbrella in 1989 collaborates with Alan Parker, who presented his first work at Dance Umbrella 10 years ago, with a new work Sometime’s I have to Lean in... at the Wits Amphitheatre on March 8 and 9 at 19:00. The artists will create a conversation between their two bodies within a common space. 

Moya Michael

South African-born Moya Michael will premiere a new work Coloured Swans 1: KHOISWAN in collaboration with South African artist Tracey Rose, at the Wits Downstairs Theatre on March 8 and 9 at 20:00. Created at the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre, Mpumalanga, the artists investigate why the world restricts to black and white; what about the shades of grey?  There is a wide range of colours reflected by the skins of the global majority. The work is presented in collaboration with the Government of Flanders; BoZar; CoKot and KVS Creations.

Steven Cohen

Steven Cohen, who first presented a work at Dance Umbrella 20 years ago, will present a new piece that premiered at Montpellier Danse 2017 in France - put your heart under your feet.. and walk - a tribute to his late partner Elu, on March 8 and 9 at 21:00 in the Wits Theatre.

Shaken to the core by the death of Elu, as well as his beloved childhood care-giver Nomsa in 2016, Cohen created this work as a message of love to his soul mate; it speaks to anyone who has known immeasurable loss and the necessity to keep moving in the face of petrifying grief. (This work is not open to persons under 18). Presented in partnership with the French Institut South Africa; Montpellier Danse 2017; Fumain TROP; French Institut Novelle-Aquitaine.

On Sunday, March 11 from 10:00, up-and-coming choreographers will present new works on the New Dance programme. Artists from Durban, Cape Town and other regions will share the Wits Theatre stage and the programme includes young artists from Vuyani Dance Theatre, Moving into Dance Mophatong and the National School of the Arts as well as from other parts of South Africa. Entrance is R50.00.

Gustin Makgeledise

The second Double Bill can be seen at the Wits Downstairs Theatre on March 13 and 14 at 19:15. Sick by Gustin Makgeledise is drawn from researched material regarding human trafficking and prostitution. It capture real-life stories of the innocents- the doers and watchers; where my rights begin and where yours end. Sharing the stage are Phumlani Nyanga and Thabo Kobeli with a new work In-Time which looks at how we work with time within our lives; chained by the circles of life we lose the time that is in-between. In-Time was partnered by the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative and created at the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre, Mpumalanga.

Jayesperi Moopen

Jayesperi Moopen has created a new work on Cape Town-based The Cape Dance Company, called Elements. While we continue to remain impactful and relevant though our art we draw on the elements like Mother Earth, water, wind, fire and space to inspire movement that only these forces of nature can provide, in its beauty and destruction. Two completely diverse companies, Cape Dance Company and Tribhangi Dance Theatre explore and celebrate the joy in discovery. Elements will be presented at the Wits Theatre on March 13 and 14 at 20:30.

Sello Pesa

Sello Pesa brings back a work that premiered at the inaugural Centre for a Less Good Idea Season 1 called Bag Beatings. This will be presented in Wits Downstairs Theatre on March 15 and 16 at 21:00.

Themba Mbuli

Themba Mbuli presents a double bill of two new works: Auth(o)rise which questions how women become authors of their own lives if they are being told how they should live and Memory Box is an autobiographical solo. The programme will be presented in the Wits Downstairs on March 17 at 19:00 and March 18 at 11:30.

Sylvaine Strike and Owen Lonzar

Sylvaine Strike collaborates with Owen Lonzar on a new work called Doll which premieres at the Wits Theatre on March 17 at 20:00 and March 18 at 14:30. The two artists explore the life of an online order, ownership, desire, disappointment, objectification and Harvey Weinstein.

Thulani Chauke

The final programme on Dance Umbrella 2018 is Nothing Makes Sense by Thulani Chauke which will be presented in the Wits Amphitheatre on March 17 at 21:00 and March 18 at 13:00.

Dance Umbrella 2018 - Programme

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