A milestone in movement

Dance Umbrella started in 1989 when two journalists, Marilyn Jenkins and Adrienne Sichel, both with a passionate inte-rest in contemporary choreography and dance, decided to establish a contemporary dance festival in South Africa.

The first week of Dance Umbrella 2013 will include both local and international companies. It opens with a work called Cover Up by Mandafounis-Mazliah-Zahry, with three dancers from the William Forsythe Company in Germany. Cover Up is a multi-media work that looks at impressions and how it affects people. Presented in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, Cover Up will showcase at the Dance Factory today and tomorrow.

From September 1 onwards the Wits Theatre will host the Stepping Stones programme. Groups from all over Gauteng – youth groups, community groups and students – will display the diversity of talent around South Africa. Entrance is free.

Other productions include Mamela Nyamza’s praised work Okuya Phantisi Kwempumlo/The Meal; Our Lady of the Flowers, presented by Francisco Camacho; and I Feel Ya, a collaboration between Moving into Dance Mophatong, Zuluboy and the Cross Over Dance Company from the Netherlands.

Rounding off the festival is Vuyani Dance Theatre’s Luyanda Sidiya’s double-bill programme Umnikelo and Dominion at The Market Theatre on September 13 and 14. Lastly, on September 15, there is Re-verie Heights, created by Leigh Nudelman, a multi-media work that will take the audience walking through the historical Anstey Building.

Also on offer are masterclasses for dancers. Teachers include Adele Blank on September 5, Mamela Nyamza on September 9, and Germaine Acogny on September 13.

To book, call Lindi on 011-492-2033.