the evolution of african dance.
ya, i know … sounds a bit heavy. but c’mon … just because african dance is already pretty much one of the most stunning forms of expression ever devised doesn’t mean it can’t change … and for the better.
the other night we went and saw nora chipaumire at the tangente dance theatre here in montreal. she is incredibly striking, and personal and the dance was captivating, to say the least.
… although, to be honest, i always wondering what i am ‘getting’ and not getting when i go to contemporary dance. the nice thing about the evening (beside the music, dance, light and energy) was a film they showed after the dance that dealt with the changing nature of dance in africa … ‘contemporary african dance’. nora was a featured artist in the film, and there were a host of other incredible dancers … all talking about africa, art, dance and the need and sanity in evolving in ways that make sense for them.
anyway, all very nice. if you get a chance the film is called movement (r)evolution africa and it is worth seeing not only for the insight it gives in to african identity, art and culture, but also into the nature of dance, and physical expression.
just as an aside, one of my favourite groups in the film were these fellows from senegal who did one especially stunning pieces called fagaala that dealt with the genocide that occured in rwanda. … if you’ve ever wondered ‘what good is dance?’ … watch this film. or find out where these people are dancing, and go see them.
… or go see anyone dance, because it is truly the art form that proceeds all the rest (and this is doubly true for african dance).
c.
