STG and Vuyani present theatre through dance

November 10, 3:21 PMSeattle Theater ExaminerLetitia Harmon

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Gregory Maqoma. Photo by John Hogg

STG presents Internationally Renowned
South African Choreographer and Dancer
GREGORY MAQOMA / VUYANI DANCE THEATRE
At Falls Theatre at ACT.

A North American debut tour brought to Seattle through The Africa Contemporary Arts Consortium

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Beautiful Me on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 8:00pm at Falls Theatre at ACT.

In his acclaimed solo performance, Beautiful Me, South African choreographer and dancer Gregory Maqoma looks deeply into his connections to history, humanity and nature. A dancer of mesmerizing precision balanced with lyrical warmth, Maqoma portrays his conversations with three master choreographers who have inspired him, and who contributed “minutes” of music, text and movement to Beautiful Me: Akram Khan’s Contemporary Kathak, Faustin Linyekula’s visual dance-theater, and Vincent Mantsoe’s Afro-Fusion. With live music by four exceptional players (on violin, cello, sitar and percussion), Beautiful Me speaks honestly about the difficult and profound task of finding one’s authentic voice.

Accompanied on stage by four exceptional South African musicians Poorvi Bhana (sitar), Bongani Kunene (cello), Isaac Molelekoa (violin), and Mandienkosi Nhlapo (percussion) with a simple lighting and set design, Beautiful Me speaks honestly and directly about the process of finding one's authentic voice.

Influenced by his childhood in Soweto, early dance training at Moving Into Dance in Johannesburg and further studies in Brussels under Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker, Gregory Maqoma founded Vuyani Dance Theatre in 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His works have earned him several national and international awards.

Beautiful Me is commissioned by the The FNB Dance Umbrella, Johannesburg, co-produced by Centre National de la Dance (France) with the support of Tilder, and Vuyani Dance Theatre (South Africa), with the support of AKCT Ltd.

Debut U.S. Tour is produced by MAPP International Productions through The Africa Contemporary Arts Consortium - a coalition of 11 diverse performing arts institution, including Seattle Theatre Group (a member since 2005), advancing a dynamic exchange of arts and ideas between artists, arts organizations, cultural and other institutions of Africa and the United States.

In addition to the performance, the dancers will engage with the Seattle community at the following public events:

Intermediate/Advanced Master Dance Class
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Spectrum Dance Studios (800 Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle WA 98122)
Class is $18; ages 14-adult; to register call (206)325-4161 or email staff@spectrumdance.org

Africa Live Seattle: Conversations Across Continents
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Hidmo (2000 South Jackson Street, Seattle WA 98144)
Event is FREE and open to the public; RSVP is strongly recommended to lizy@stgpresents.org.  
STG and Hidmo Eritrean restaurant host a lively conversation about African contemporary arts. The conversation will be moderated by choreographer Donald Byrd; and Seattle-based African and hip-hop artist Dumi Maraire. Come early, have dinner and drinks then stay late to jam with South African musicians from Vuyani Dance Theatre.

For more info: Beautiful Me performance tickets are $15.00 - $35.00 and include a post-performance discussion, moderated by Vivian Phillips. Tickets are available online , by phone at (877)STG-4TIX or (877)784-4849, or in person at The Paramount Theatre box office.

More information about Vuyani Dance Theatre visit www.vuyani.co.za