The world of dance just took a giant (and graceful) leap forward with the announcement today of Jazzart Dance Theatre’s (Jazzart), inaugural ‘Meraki Dance Festival’, an innovative platform that celebrates all dance forms in South Africa and that will take place 27 February – 1 March 2025 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.
Jazzart has been at the forefront of contemporary dance in South Africa for more than 51 years. Over this time, the company, a registered NPC, has consistently pushed the envelope of creative physical expression with its artful capturing of prevailing narratives, as well as its 3-year professional dance qualification.
Meraki means, “to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to leave a piece and essence of yourself in your work”. It perfectly encapsulates Jazzart’s desire to showcase local, national and international choreographers, and to create a platform where we can share new works,and restage much-loved repertoire performances. The festival will also spark conversations around different choreographic styles, and be the centre stage for these talented professionals to share their skills with emerging choreographers.
In November 2024, celebrating 30 years of South African democracy, Jazzart staged a production entitled Four Frames of Freedom. Opening night was a triumph but the production run was sadly cut short due to some of its company members being hi-jacked and traumatised, leading to Jazzart itself also suffering substantial financial loss.
The Meraki Dance Festival is Jazzart’s signal to all South Africans that they and their dance colleagues are here to stay. The country’s stories will continue to be told through dance, and that this medium is stronger than ever.
Festival Producer, Nwabisa Plaatjie shares that, “this inaugural festival programme will present diverse dance styles, from contemporary to ballet, and will feature established and emerging choreographers such as Sifiso Kweyama, Sbo Ndaba, Shaun Oelf, MANACAN, Lihle Mfene, Gain Collective, Imbewu, as well as Chloé Blair from Joburg Ballet.
“The festival will also include workshops and masterclasses. We invite dancers to sign-up and join, as this will be a golden opportunity to learn and expand their technique and meet new friends. Naturally, we would also like to encourage audiences to come out and experience the depth of dance talent on offer in the country. They will not be disappointed.”
Each evening will provide a unique performance experience with different programme compositions on offer, whilst the rehearsal studios will buzz with energetic and engaging workshops and masterclasses for dancers of all levels. Companies participating in the festival include Cape Ballet Africa, Figure of Eight Dance Theatre and the dancers from Baba Yaya who join Jazzart’s trainees on stage.
For audiences, whether dance stalwarts or just curious, the festival is an invitation to explore the abundant possibilities that life in 2025 could hold and to embrace the full spirit of ‘meraki’ in their own lives.
Ticket Details:
Performances
Single performance – R150 per person per night
Festival Pass – R300 per person
Purchase tickets at Webtickets
Workshops
Dancers will need to register by 17 February 2025
Cost of the workshops: R 75 each
Registation: please email, dance@jazzart.co.za
For more information go to the website or follow Jazzart on social media pages:
Website – www.jazzart.co.za
Facebook – @jazzartdance
Instagram – @jazzartdancetheatre
About Jazzart Dance Theatre:
51-year-old Jazzart Dance Theatre has understood, and held sacred, it’s deep responsibility to tell the stories of South Africans primarily through the bodies of South Africans. It has been at the forefront of contemporary dance development, serving all communities without prejudice or bias, and continues its social responsibility through its training and outreach programmes.
Jazzart has always welcomed dancers from across the racial and cultural spectrum and provided performance platforms for those previously denied the experience. We believe that through our programmes, we not only provide education and training to youth to develop professional dancers, teachers and choreographers of the highest calibre, but also train youth to support community-based projects that is run through our Outreach Programme.
