AZISHE! Kicks Off July Programme at the Artscape Theatre Centre

Jazzart Dance Theatre will present AZISHE! for a limited season of four performances at the Artscape Theatre this July.

Translated from isiZulu, "azishe" means "let it burn". This annual festival brings together the energy and passion of various youth dance groups. Audiences can look forward to enjoying the explosive and breath-taking performances from amazing dancers under the direction of Sifiso E. Kweyama.

Jazzart Dance Theatre, founded in 1973 is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading (and oldest) contemporary dance theatre performing companies. Jazzart vision is to be a transformative contemporary African dance theatre company rooted in a deep and reflective understanding of the world. Numerous awards garnered for innovative choreography and continuous development of extraordinary performers result in both traditional and progressive art groups recognizing that Jazzart is a major influence in dance and performance in South Africa. They continue to challenge the dance status quo and social stereotypes through training, performance and inter-disciplinary collaborations with diverse role-players.

Jazzart programmes are interlinked with their philosophy to use dance as a transformative tool within society. Jazzart continues to deliver high quality, innovative performances both nationally and internationally. The three-year Trainee Programme provides full-time dance theatre training to young adults. The Outreach programme provides dance and performance training and capacity building. These programmes use the arts as an educational tool and enables young people, mostly from historically disadvantaged communities, to express their creative impulses. Jazzart continues to produce sort after dancers and practitioners and Jazzart's community outreach work touches the lives of young people in schools and community groups.

AZISHE! will play at the Artscape Theatre on 1 - 3 July at 8pm and on 4 July at 3pm. Tickets cost R50, with block bookings of 10 or more paying only R30 per ticket. Pensioners, students and scholars (5 - 18 years) qualify for a 20% discount per ticket. Bookings are through Computicket.