Countries unite for dance festival in Benoni
Body Moves steps up the beat, accentuating cultural exchanges and collaborations.
After a successful debut last year, the Body Moves International Inclusive Dance Festival returns for its second edition.
This festival, championing able-bodied and disabled dancers, will come to life at the Sibikwa Arts Centre from November 20 to 26.
Set against the backdrop of Disability Awareness Month, the festival promises an array of workshops by international and local facilitators, live-streamed discussions, and breathtaking afternoon performances on November 25 and 26 from 14:30.
With participating companies from Kenya, Madagascar, Ireland, Flanders and various regions of SA, the festival embodies the spirit of diversity and unity.
The workshops will feature talented deaf dancer Andile Vellem of Unmute, Ondiege Mathew’s exploration of choreography through improvisation, and Fanny Vandesande’s deep dive into the lived experiences of people with disabilities at Moving Into Dance in Newtown.
The performances will feature works such as Chosen, highlighting the plight of a village through the eyes of a visually impaired dancer, and TWOTFAM, a thought-provoking piece that brings to the forefront the overlooked challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
A live-streamed discussion will be hosted in partnership with ADDN at Sibikwa and on the Sibikwa Arts Centre Facebook page at 18:00 on November 23.
The session promises engaging conversations inspired by the short films made by panellists Nadine McKenzie (SA), Adriaan Luteijn (Netherlands) and Joseph Tebandeke (Uganda).
The general representation of the Government of Flanders, the Embassy of Ireland, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and the Federation of Gauteng Community Arts support the festival.
The festival celebrates local and international talent, is a nod to cultural vibrancy, and is a testament to the belief that the arts and dance know no bounds.
Moving away from the hustle of town yet not too far from the comforts of home, Sibikwa is the perfect place for audiences. For a detailed line-up of the events, visit sibikwa.co.za/BodyMoves2023
Tickets at R120 per person for November 25 and 26 are available on Quicket: https://qkt.io/BODYMOVES23
Group rates apply at R100 for groups of 10 or more. On-the-day tickets will be available at the door for R140.
For those travelling from Johannesburg, a shuttle will be available from the Rosebank Mall. The price for this ticket (including shuttle and entry) is R250.
For more information, email caryn@sibikwa.co.za
About Body Moves
A pioneer in its field, the Body Moves Inclusive International Dance Festival seeks to disrupt societal norms, championing inclusive dance and fostering collaboration across borders. It stands as a symbol of hope, understanding, and the transformative power of the arts.
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