Gregory Maqoma News

2020 marks the 42nd year of Dance Umbrella and Emma Gladstone's 7th and final year as Artistic Director and Chief Executive for the organisation before she will step down.

South Africa native and internationally known choreographer Gregory Maqoma and his company Vuyani Dance Theatre make their Kennedy Center debut with the visually striking evening-length work Cion: Requiem of Ravel's Boléro, January 24a?"25.

Jacob's Pillow announces public events held January through May in its Winter/Spring season, featuring co-presentations with local cultural partners; Pillow Parties; workshops and classes; Pillow Pop-Ups; and more. Events take place January through May on the Pillow's 220-acre campus in Becket, MA and across Berkshire County. As the Pillow continues to advance its five year strategic plan, Vision '22, the organization increasingly activates its local and national presence by expanding programming and extending resources beyond its acclaimed summer dance festival.

The continued proliferation of rhythmless music plunges Fall For Dance 2019's Program 1 into a miasma of middling potpourri. From Kyle Abraham rendering Misty Copeland into a sterile robot to Crystal Pite's droning narration, this was an evening sorely in need of inventive rhythm and grooves. Thank goodness then for the visiting South Africans of Vuyani Dance Theatre.

Dance Umbrella, now in its 41st year, continues its mission to celebrate 21st-century choreography with international performers and choreographers in events happening across London.

From 4 to 8 June 2019, two outstanding dance companies from Flanders in Belgium will be performing at the Baxter Theatre Centre, following on from their successful seasons at the Klein Karoo Kunstefees in March and at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg at the end of May.

London's international festival of contemporary dance takes place across the capital from 8 - 27 October 2019.

Rediscover world-class grace and virtuosity, from titans of the repertoire to innovative original voices, as part of the 2019-2020 ballet and contemporary dance season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The upcoming season-among the nation's most robust and dynamic-features the breadth of iconic and cutting-edge choreography performed by today's foremost companies.

The eagerly anticipated re-launch of Dance Umbrella Africa 2019 from 31 March to 7 April at the South African State Theatre will feature South Africa and the world's most prolific dancers and choreographers including Lulu Mlangeni, Sonia Radebe and Julia Burnham, Phumlani Nyanga, Dirk Badenhorst, German-Austrian Helge Letonja, Madagascar's Gaby Saranouffi, and works from dance companies such as Vuyani Dance Theatre and Moving Into Dance Mophatong.

On Tuesday 12 February 2019, Ambassador of France to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Christophe Farnaud, will bestow on South African playwright, Mr. Brett Bailey, the award of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron at the Granger Bay Hotel School Restaurant, in Mouille Point, Cape Town.

LEGAGA: an exploration of memory, dreams and nightmares told through movement, song and text.

Combining the political with the poetic, William Kentridge will animate Park Avenue Armory's Wade Thompson Drill Hall with the North American premiere of a multidisciplinary installation and performance piece commemorating the millions of Africans who served in World War I. The Head & The Load combines music and movement, sculpture and shadow play to critically examine colonialism and how somber remnants of history continue to color our experiences today.

Combining the political with the poetic, William Kentridge will animate Park Avenue Armory's Wade Thompson Drill Hall with a grand, multidisciplinary work commemorating the millions of Africans who served in World War I. Co-commissioned by Park Avenue Armory, 14-18 NOW Centenary Commissions, MASS MoCA, and the Ruhrtriennale, with additional support from the Holland Festival, The Head & The Load combines music and movement, sculpture and shadow play to critically examine colonialism and how somber remnants of history continue to color our experiences today. Performed from December 4 to December 15, 2018, The Head & The Load features music by Kentridge's long-time collaborator Philip Miller and co-composer Thuthuka Sibisi and choreography by Gregory Maqoma, performed by an international ensemble cast of singers, dancers, and performers, including the Brooklyn-based orchestra collective The Knights. Kentridge weaves these elements together to conjure a "historical drawing in performance" of immensive proportion and imagination.

Combining the political with the poetic, William Kentridge will animate Park Avenue Armory's Wade Thompson Drill Hall with a grand, multidisciplinary work commemorating the millions of Africans who served in World War I. Co-commissioned by Park Avenue Armory, 14-18 NOW Centenary Commissions, MASS MoCA, and the Ruhrtriennale, with additional support from the Holland Festival, The Head & The Load combines music and movement, sculpture and shadow play to critically examine colonialism and how somber remnants of history continue to color our experiences today.

In this feature, get to know choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - currently working on JAGGED LITTLE PILL at the American Repertory Theatre. Last week, Larbi's work was featured in a music video featuring Beyonce and Jay Z, APES**T.

Two productions presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have received an incredible 25 Naledi Theatre Award nominations.

Dance Umbrella Announces 2018 Programme

TV star and sensational songstress Sihle Ndaba has joined the cast of the KING KONG - THE MUSICAL at the Fugard Theatre.  

Multiple award-winning actor and popular TV and film star Desmond Dube joins the cast of the Fugard Theatre's hit production of the iconic South African musical KING KONG. From 2 January 2018 he steps in to the central role of Pop in the production, which is currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town until 18 February 2018.

Start the countdown to 2018 early in all-South African style at the Fugard Theatre on 31 December. Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, the highly acclaimed production of the historic South African musical, KING KONG, is back in Cape Town for the summer season, with a special, early New Year's Eve performance taking place at 14:00.