Experience Dance! Dance on Two Continents

Last year ten Namibian dancers joined their German counterparts in Berlin to produce breathtaking shows that were sold out. p.art.ners has now brought together the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) from Namibia and the Faster-Than-Light-Dance-Company and Atrium from Berlin for the second time.

This year the German dancers came to Namibia for a tantalising dance performance under the direction of choreographer and director of OYO, Philippe Talavera with the theme: xenophobia. Over the past few years, southern Africa has seen numerous violent acts of xenophobia from people who are ignorant about other cultures and languages and who also fear sharing their resources and jobs with foreigners. Instead of reaching out and trying to accept foreigners, they discriminate against them. But is it the way forward? Should we all conform and behave in the same way or should we learn to appreciate and accept others to celebrate our differences? ‘Fallen masks’ is a contemporary dance piece reflecting on those questions and featuring ten Namibian and eleven German dancers. Based on a famous ‘Bolero’ by Ravel, the piece is led by Nyandee Mbarandongo, Julien Geirises and Zito da Cunha. In addition, the German guests have brought along a solo performance titled ‘Angel’, (Dancer: Anja Meser and Choreographer: Volker Eisenach) and a group piece, ‘Fire and Ashes’, which has been specially composed by the Faster-Than-Light-Dance-Company for their visit to Namibia and will have its world premiere in Windhoek. Another stunning offering by the Namibian dancers, entitled ‘Modern Love’, will complete the show. The ‘Experience Dance! Dance on Two Continents’ show will premiere in Windhoek, at the National Theatre on July 28 at 20h00 and a second show at the DHPS School hall on July 29 at 19h00. Entrance is N$40 for adults and N$ 0 for children.