A new dance work under the Third Space project banner: Choreographer Nabaggala Lilian Maximillian (Uganda) and scenographer Arafa Hamadi (Tanzania) join dancers from the Kubu Collective in residence at the Market Community Theatre. Over several weeks, they produce a new dance work drawing from shared references and interests, across countries and movement.
‘Bond-Edge’ is a dance theatre piece that sheds light on the devastating impact of trauma on mental health. Through a blend of expressive movements, storytelling, and visual imagery, it reveals the intricate web of bondage that trauma creates and its profound effects on individuals and communities. The choreography symbolises the entanglement and breaking of trauma’s invisible chains, highlighting the resilience and strength needed to overcome it. ‘Bond-Edge’ is not merely a dance performance but a call for societal awareness and action. It seeks to ignite conversations, inspire healing, and foster a more compassionate and supportive society.
Bond-Edge is a new project of The National Arts Festival, together with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and in partnership with the Kubu Collective (Western Cape).
This dance work is one of three new works at the Festival this year resulting from the collaborative initiative between the National Arts Festival (NAF) and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). Third Space is a ground-breaking dance development programme including renowned choreographers and scenographers from South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania working with dancers from three community art centres (Gompo Arts Centre, Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, and The Kubu Collective at the Market Community Theatre) respectively based in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Western Cape.
An educational programme, Third Space will see the choreographers, scenographers and centres transmitting and exchanging skills with each other in addition to offering their learnings to the surrounding communities through a series of workshops.
Production Credits
PROJECT PRODUCTION PARTNERS
The National Arts Festival, together with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
About the Artists
About the Choreographer :
Lilian Maximillian Nabaggala is a female interdisciplinary artist based in Uganda working in the fields of dance, choreography, fashion, and education. Her identity as a choreographer is based on her strong skills in and passion for four distinct areas of dance: street, Ugandan traditional, contemporary, and Latin. She is part of different grass root organisations and projects; amongst others, she is co-founder of Afrooted (USA & UGA) as well as co-creator, committee member, and festival organiser of Batalo East (UGA). Lilian has been a resident dance artist at Art Omi (US) and guest artist and lecturer at the University of Maryland Washington DC (US). She was awarded the Pina Bausch fellowship in 2022.
About the Scenographer :
Arafa C. Hamadi is a multidisciplinary artist working in Tanzania and Kenya. They create both physical and digital work, aiming to create fully immersive spaces that explore their queerness in relation to space - focusing on joy and tangible ways of connecting their community. They have been part of the ICA Fellowship (2020, SA), the Digital Arts Residency at Nafasi Art-Space (2021, TZ), the New Dimensions Lab by Electric South (2022, SA), the Pro-Helvetica Residency (2022, CH). They recently co-curated the UMOJA Residency (2022, TZ) and was a featured stage and installation artist at the Beneath the Baobabs Festival (2023, KE).
About the Collective:
The Kubu Collective is a multidisciplinary creative ensemble consisting of performance and visual artists, writers, theatremakers, technicians and arts administrators. It was established by George native Heloïne Armstrong (Artistic Director and Fundraiser). The word “Kubu” refers to a person, place or thing that acts as a defence, an African symbol of “rebellion or rebelliousness”. The Collective’s focus is producing quality, innovative and evocative art for social change through collaborative effort. The collective is spirited by predecessors and revered South African cultural artivists, the Medu Arts Ensemble.
For the purpose of the 3rd Space project, Armstrong has assembled three professional dance practitioners: Lynette Du Plessis, Jamie-Lee Hine and Amy-Kay Klassen - Jazzart Dance Theatre and Garage Dance Ensemble alumni - as well as a crew from the region, partnering with the historic Market Community Theatre as hosting venue.
- Venue: Nombulelo
- Location: Nombulelo Hall
- Ticket price: ZAR 55.00
- Programme type: Third Space
- Genre: Dance & Physical Theatre
- Duration: 45 min
-
Ages:
ALL AGES
There are no performances for this show.
