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Gregory Maqoma: Photo by John Hogg
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Last night Gregory Maqoma and his 4 musicians gave a knock-out performance of a piece choreographed by Gregory Maqoma and collaborators, Beautiful Me. There is one more performance tonight. I highly recommend changing all your plans to be able to attend! This is a phenomenal show.
Beautiful Me is part of a trilogy which Maqoma created to explore identity, specifically South African identity. Growing up in Soweto, South Africa, Maqoma lived through dissolution of Apartheid when he was a teenager. He recalls seeing Michael Jackson on television in the 1980's. It had such an impact because up until that point, black people were portrayed in a negative light on television. Everything that was good was white, and everything bad was black. Here was a successful, innovative, iconic man doing dance moves that deeply connected with Maqoma and his friends. Hardly knowing what they were doing, they created a new aesthetic, combing traditional dance movements from their culture with the pop icon's choreography. That aesthetic is beautifully synthesized in this performance, and it is possible to see the strong influences of each.
Maqoma is accompanied by four musicians, Poorvi Bhana (sitar), Bongani Kunene (cello), Isaac Molelekoa (violin), and Mandienkosi Nhlapo (percussion). Both they and he use their respective instruments, and implement their own bodies as an additional percussion section. The work comes alive as the feet and mouth and hands become yet another musical instrument. The entire body is an orchestra.
Besides being culturally meaningful and lovely, this dance piece is simply a stunning work of athleticism and talent. Maqoma moves effortlessly with the grace associated with modern dance, using abstract styles from contemporary artists. Even if it were devoid of meaning, this piece is exciting and interesting to watch. But what makes it truly special is that you leave the performance feeling not only impressed and jazzed over this amazing dancer, but touched by what you have just witnessed.
Maqoma is, in essence, a storyteller, and uses both text and movement to walk us through memories and this search for identity and place. He reminds us that is we erase history, and all those names and dates and places, we will erase who we are. We have to know those things to find ourselves. They are a part of our past and our present.
For more info: Details on the show and links to purchase tickets here. You can also purchase tickets in person at ACT, Falls Theater: 700 Union St Seattle, WA 98101
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