ALBERTON –
• “Central Nervous System”: FATC will build a programme of public arts events and performances at Wattville’s OR Tambo Cultural precinct on February 7, from 11:00 – 18h00.
The programme comprises dance, music, cultural events and performance art, as well as a craft and vendors market, creating a rich experience that activates every corner of the cultural precinct. The audience will travel with the programme on foot. They will be guided through an array of happenings, performances and installations placed at strategic points in the route.
On the Main Stage in the morning, Benoni-based Sibikwa Orchestra will perform. In the afternoon, Belonging, a new work choreographed by Shawn Mothupi, under the auspices of Vuyani Dance Theatre, as well as a 30 minute operatic performance by Andiswa Makana and Nombuso Ndlandla, two young sopranos currently studying opera in Cologne.
On the morning of February 7, the venue will be divided into five different sites in Ekurhuleni, and will feature new work and collaborations: Reflexion by Lucky Dance Company; a collaboration between dancers associated with FATC, VDT and MIDM as well as award-winning theatre practitioners Kieron Jina; Road, a work by MIDM’s Oscar Buthelezi and Muzi Shili; Lingering Chant by Sonia Radebe and Man by FATC’s Fana Tshabalala, last year’s Standard Bank Young Artist winner for dance.
The afternoon of February 7 will feature Black in the Day by Tshego Kutsoane, Nkululeko by Via Katlehong, Mist Duo by Nicholas Aphane and Thabo Kobeli and Thulani Chauke of FATC performing his riveting work Black Dog as well as a piece by Soraya Thomas which will spill over into the evening.
• Arteries: FATC and collaborating artists will build flash mob interventions along Ekurhuleni’s major arteries and transport routes on February 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, at sites including taxi ranks, markets, parks and other public spaces in Katlehong, Thokoza, Wattville, Benoni and Daveyton, through provocative public art happenings; the festival will contribute to the activation of these arteries as follows:
A collaborative team led by FATC’s Fana Tshabalala, independent choreographer Kyla Davis, Lucky Kele of Lucky Dance Company and Buru Mohlabane from Via Katlehong in collaboration with two community groups from Katlehong that will perform in an improvised capacity, using elements like the back of a bakkie in Khumalo Street, Thokoza, on February 2 at 14:00 and in Natalspruit Street, on the corner of Kgotso Street in Katlehong on February 3 at 14:00. They will also create processions and performed installations in Thokoza during the day on February 2 and Katlehong on February 3.
A collaborative team comprising FATC’s Thulani Chauke and key performers Sibikwa’s Yuhl Headman, MIDM’s Thenjiwe Soxoshe and VDT’s Shawn Mathupi, in collaboration with three community groups from Watville and Etwatwa, will perform at the Eiselen Road Mall Taxi Rank in Daveyton on The guerrilla interventions/flash mobs that make up the arteries programme, lasting 30 minutes. They will take place as follows: On February 2 at 14h00 in Khumalo Street, Thokoza; on February 3 at 14h00 in Natalspruit Street, on the corner of Kgotso Street in Katlehong. There will be further flash mobs during the My Body My Space season at the taxi rank in Daveyton on Eiselen Road, at the taxi rank in Benoni on Voortrekker Road and in Dube Street in Wattville opposite the schools.
February 4; at the Voortrekker Road Taxi Rand in Benoni on February 5 and at Wattville Park in Dube Street on February 6. This collaboration will spill over into 10 minute long processions and installations in Daveyton on February 4, Benoni on February 5 and Wattville on February 6.
In addition, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, the project that instigated a knitting revolution in South Africa, recently voted ANN7’s campaign of the year, presents a knitathon as a part of MBMS on February 7 between 10:00 and 15:00.
Adding to the program on the 7th a crafters market will be set up on the day, creating a rich and diverse creative experience.
My Body My Space aims to be an annual event. Attendance is free and food and soft drinks will be on sale.
FATC believes that this festival, in moving arts and performance events out of traditional spaces and into the public domain, will position Ekurhuleni as a vibrant and responsible contributor to arts and culture, which will reignite and uplift the public space of the city.
