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To celebrate International Dance Day, Figure of 8 Dance Collective is hosting a full day of virtual events on 29 April, 2020.
The schedule includes dance classes, couch conversations with artists from the dance fraternity, a live-screening of the production Most Honest Man and the day ends with a showcase of newly created performances choreographed by individuals titled Your Space, Your Dance.
The award-winning duo Grant van Ster and Shaun Oelf, established Figure of 8 Dance Collective in 2014. FO8’s mutual vision resonates with emotion, cohesion and creative innovation, which pivots their continuous commitment to present cutting-edge, thought-provoking and dynamic contemporary dance. The start of 2020 saw the dance company awarded the KKNK / KunsteOnbeperk’s Young Voice Award, as well as winning Best Dance Production for WAG| WAITING at the Toyota US Woordfees 2020.
The Cape Town based dance company has fast become recognised for their ground-breaking work on the local and international dance scenes. Furthermore, Fo8 is taking advantage of this isolation period, by sparking conversation and pushing artistic boundaries by presenting a challenge to dancers & choreographers (16 +) to create a 2-minute dance performance inspired by the theme Your Space! Your Dance!
The piece must be filmed inside a home or backyard responding to #lockdown & #stayhome. Entries will be reviewed by Fo8 founders, and dancers will receive feedback and mentorship during the process. Only 10 pieces will be selected for the live showcase across all genres.
HOW TO APPLY?
- Choreograph a 2-minute dance piece (inspired by the theme Your Space! Your Dance!)
- Submit the video, a short biography, the title & a description of the piece tofo8dance@gmail.com.
DEADLINE 19 April 2020
Please note that videos will not be accepted via WhatsApp, and the outcomes will be announced on 21 April 2020
For more information, contact fo8dance@gmail.com
VIRTUAL EVENT DETAILS
The virtual event will be held on the 29 April 2020 via Zoom and Facebook. While the even is free, the company are accepting donations at this time.
10:00 Commercial Jazz Dance Class by Charlie van Rooyen(Zoom)
12:00 Commercial Latin Dance Class by Lesego van Niekerk(Zoom)
14:00 Couch Conversations - panelists & moderator tba (Zoom)
16:00 Live Screening of Most Honest Man(Facebook and YouTube)
18:00 Contemporary Dance Class by Grant Van Ster/Shaun Oelf(Zoom)
20:00 Showcase of new, original dance works: Your Space! Your Dance!
Most Honest Man premiered in 2015 With Mdu Kwayama at the head of the production as director and choreographer, with dramaturgy and assistant direction by resident playwright Alex McCarthy.
They were both artists-in-residence at the Baxter Theatre Centre and the production was supervised by the CEO of the Baxter Theatre, artistic director Lara Foot. Based on Shakespeare's Othello, Most Honest Man looks at the relationship between Othello (performed by Grant) and Iago (performed by Shaun), exploring notions of sexual jealousy and its power to destroy. Through movement, the relationship between the two characters is interrogated as they delve into issues such as trust, virtue, amorality, projection and isolation.
Compiled by Lindokuhle Nkosi.
