|
"After years of absence from the world stage, JUXTAPOWER is
an important
initiative and a long overdue expression of theatrical
and cultural exchange.”
- Solomon Bafana
Matea.
|
JUXTAPOWER (South Africa’ Song &
Dance) is a NEW YORK CITY based stage production of dance and song
blended with sketch humor/drama to offer the best of South Africa's
theatrical tradition. This is a story of conflict and success that
our culture has experienced in the last fourteen years since the end
of Apartheid, it offers significant lessons about the land, history
and its people, as well as their continued struggles and blessings
under the new democratic government.
The production is about
a narrator who is given a task to educate the world about South
African history, he goes from the mines, to the townships, to the
country side; emphasizing the beauty of art and the influences of
the western culture on the South African population. The production
includes Zulu/Suthu praise singing, dialogue, traditional songs,
Zulu dance (foot stomping warrior dance), juxtaposed with a
Ballet technique, as well as Gum boot dance (rhythmic movement) with
a touch of American Stepping, and South African township dance
(ghetto dance expression, inspired by Hip Hop and home made made
choreography).
GOT
ZULU?
|
 |
|
This New York
production of
song and dance was
first initiated by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili in the late 1999's. He was
later joined by Solomon Bafana Matea, Kelly Boyd and Charmaine
Trotman...to teach and showcase the rich and diverse
heritage of the country through theatrical expression. An
unbalanced and complete lack of cultural/theatrical exchange
between the United States/Canada and
South Africa had compelled Sduduzo Ka-Mbili to create
this production of dialogue, dance and song. As a result,
thousands of people across the US have had the opportunity to
witness the beauty of South African culture and her
history.
|
JUXTAPOWER
has also truly grown into a successful production
whose talents are now being recognized both nationally and
internationally. Since the production’s first showcase, JUXTAPOWER had its first full premier of Uhambo (The
journey) at the Harlem
YMCA (The Little Theater), as well as its second
biggest New York City season at
The Kaye
Playhouse(Hunter College), and its recent 2006
season at The Wings Theater in Soho (NYC). Their
dynamic performances always receive great reviews and
encomiums from the audiences and critics alike. The production
has also been showcased at Robert Deniro's Tribeca
Film Festival, Patrick Swayze's
launch of his new film "King Solomon’s Mines. JUXTAPOWER is proud to have been involved in projects
with the South African Consulate, South African
Airways, South African Tourism and Riverside
Church in New York City. JUXTAS have also
appeared at the British Virgin Islands, Harlem's
Apollo Theater for Africa's AIDS victims, in
collaboration with The Lion King and
Aidacast members.
Hosted
by Dr. Felicia Mabuza Suttle and Dr. Harry Belafonte,
JUXTAPOWER opened Sounds of South Africa at City Center (NYC),
for the likes of Hugh Masekela & the All stars, Abdullah
Ibrahim, Soweto String Quartet, and Khanyo. This South African
Tourism sponsored event (2007) was an effort to bring about an
awareness of South Africa's talent, beauty and cultural
abundance.
REVIEW... Oct 25, NYC
–U2 front man Bono was honored by the Keep a Child Alive
charity at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom, who acclaimed the
singer’s “groundbreaking and crucial work in the AIDS
movement” at the organization’s annual fund raising ball.
Sheryl Crow, David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, veteran record
executive Clive Davis and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong
were among the notables in attendance, while
event musical director Alicia Keys livened up the evening by
previewing a slate of songs from her upcoming As I Am album
after Zulu drum ‘n’ dance troupe JUXTAPOWER fired up the crowd
with their rousing rhythms. Bono’s fellow honorees at
the event were actor Nick Reding, founder of Sponsored Arts
For Education, Kenya, and Dr. Pasquine Ogunsaya of Uganda’s
Alive Medical Services.
— Jerry McCulley
|
JUXTAPOWER
…… has also performed
before President Clinton, President Ford &
President Carter, and many other famous personalities, and
has toured extensively in cities and states like
Pennsylvania, Memphis,
Florida, Upstate New York,
Maryland, Connecticut,
Pittsburgh, Georgia, Virginia,
Washington DC, Massachusetts and Ohio, Chicago, New
Hampshire, Maine, Tortola (British Virgin Islands) and LA,
to name a few. On October 2007, JUXTAPOWER opened for Keys, Gwen
Stefanie, Sheryl Crow and Bono, in New York City, at the Black Ball
Event...honoring Bono and raising money for the opharns in Africa,
this event was hosted Iman and Alicia Keys.
JUXTAPOWER at the United Nations
JUXTAPOWER MISSION is to keep the
memory and dialogue on South Africa fresh within the world
community, as well as to entertain, promote, inspire, and educate
about the wealth of talent, history and creativity from which the
world can learn.
THE ROLE OF ARTISTS
Many people throughout the world recognize the
importance of cultural exchange in these hazardous times of
political clashes, due mainly to ethnic, traditional, and religious
misunderstandings. Since artists are the story tellers of the day,
JUXTA-members take this responsibility full force, ensuring a
sufficient flow of continental theatrical exchange and dialogue in
hopes of educating, entertaining and enlightening others about who
they are in relation to the world, as a culture and people. Every
artist has this responsibility or they also run a risk of being
accused of silence in the face of tragedy and all else, for not
acting, singing, and speaking out, thus spreading the messages to
the world body. This has been done before, and clear examples are
Sarafina (Broadway stage show & movie), which alerted the
world about the evils of apartheid in South Africa, as well as Hotel Rwanda, which also brilliantly portrayed the
savagery/bravery of others, and the betrayal of the international
communities during the slaughter that resulted in hundreds of
thousands dead in Rwanda. The Media also has a similar
responsibility when reporting on anybody; that is to be fair in
telling the world of any injustice and indeed to offer praise where
it is due. -Sduduzo Ka-Mbili
"Artists are
the myth-makers of the day,"the great Joseph
Campbell.
Mr. Ka-Mbili's commitment to
the New York City community has afforded JUXTAPOWER a
wonderful home at the world-famous Harlem YMCA, where the company
conducts its rehearsals and workshops. He dreams of seeing
JUXTAPOWER provide theatrical entertainment to poor and
developing countries in South America, Asia, Europe and Africa,
especially in places where there is very limited opportunity for
this kind of exchange and showcase. He looks forward to such
bookings as well as the support of all those who believe in his
dream.
"Got Zulu?"
Now available for Theatrical
Appearances, Outdoor and Indoor Festivals/Concerts, Arts In
Residence, Special/Industrial Engagements, School Workshops, College
Residencies, Films, (917) 405-1712 ...we look
forward to working or keeping in touch with you. “GOT ZULU?”
contact
officers. Listen to INSIGHTS & REELS (a show of
importance)...every Thursday Night on SAR-fm Radio, 7:00pm-9:00pm,
hosted by JUXTAPOWER dogs...Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, Bafana Solomon Matea
& Amanda Gavan (news reader)...see ya on d radio
 Click here and join our
e-mail
list!!
|
|
