Thursday 9 October - Afrovibes Festival 2014
- 360amsterdamnetwor
- Oct 9, 2014
- 2 min read
Twenty years ago, in 1994 a new nation was born. Since then, our African artists keep on saying to the world that South Africa has stories to tell, urban stories that speak to the collective memory of who we are, that speak of life in South Africa today. Stories that link us with the world. In 2014 we host a vibrant urban festival that will excite our audiences and persuade them to join in” – James Ngcobo, artistic director Afrovibes
This year, the festival has as its theme New Heroes and Icons. Who are the heroes of yesteryear and who are our new heroes? Pioneers as well as established talent in theatre, dance, design and music from South Africa, Mozambique and the Netherlands show us a variety of contemporary urban dance, theatre and music productions during the festival.
The festival program brings heroes and icons such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, freedom fighters and fighters for democracy and heroes from classic European theatre. And there is the Afrovibes Festival Cafe in the theatres, with music of DJ's and bands, nightlife, debate, and after talks and exhibitions. Come in and experience Afrovibes, a place where Africa and the Netherlands meet.
Stunning in the program is the energetic dance performance Biko's Quest from Cape Town. Important festival guests are Mike van Graan, one of South Africa's most important playwrights, writer Christine Otten from the Netherlands and correspondent Bram Vermeulen. Music plays a major role this year with performances by the Hague formation Kern Koppen, South African rapper Zuluboy, Mr. Sakitumi & The Grrrl from Cape Town and the Flemish afro-jazz musicians of Black Flower.
High lights of the festival:
Biko's Quest - Ten dancers and actors from Cape Town explore contemporary relevance of Steve Biko, hero of the black consciousness movement as an icon of a new generation. This results in an explosion of music, dance and intensity."This one's a winner ... powerful, thought-provoking, moving and unforgettable" - Cape Times
Uncles & Angels - A breathtaking interaction between dance and live video images of a cultural ceremony around virginity in South Africa. "Nelisiwe Xaba grabs your first embarrassed laugh and freezes it on your face in this brilliant study on virginity" Artlink.co.za
The Revivalists - Eight young artists from the Netherlands, England and South Africa sample extracts from well-known classic theatre texts The Bacchae, Othello, Mary Stuart, The Cherry Orchard and An Enemy of the People to explore the right to claim one's own identity."Who am I?" "Who do you think I am?"
Rainbow Scars - A new play of South Africa's playwright Mike van Graan about the complexity of multicultural relations in contemporary South Africa. Told with humor and tension. "Mike van Graan remains one of the country's most brilliantly incisive playwrights with an ability to capture the essence of the South African psyche. ..." - Artlink South Africa
And young new talent
Artistic director of ISH, Marco Gerris (So You Think You Can Dance), South African director Mandla Mbothwe and dance company Jazzart from Cape Town work together during the festival to create a new short dance performance.
©http://www.afrovibes.nl/2014/en/festival
When: 9 October
Where: DIfferent venues, check website.
How much: Depending of the show, check website.
Website: http://www.afrovibes.nl/2014/en/festival/shows
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