Burudani to prove dance prowess

Feb 05, 2009

THIS is not only a warm-up to the forthcoming Dance Week 2009. It is another fully fledged dance theatre show that is not only launching this group, but confirming its prowess in the contemporary dance arena.

By E. Ssejjengo and G. Mwijuke

THIS is not only a warm-up to the forthcoming Dance Week 2009. It is another fully fledged dance theatre show that is not only launching this group, but confirming its prowess in the contemporary dance arena.

Burudani Dance Company is showcasing three dance pieces at the National Theatre tomorrow and Sunday.
The longest piece (45 minutes), Memories of Child Soldiers, was composed in 2007 when Valeri Miquel, the French dance composer and choreographer, first arrived in the country.

She was here as a tutor in the annual Dance Week. She decided to travel to the north and her experience there with child soldiers resulted into this piece. And it seems to communicate that much.

With 12 dancers, Miquel manages a story that starts on a sorrowful note of former child soldiers struggling to eke out a living. The rugs, dirty wigs and guys for toys tell a harrowing story.

But from then is a positive development that culminates into a flamboyant costume. It is a dance that will make you think differently about war and its effects.

Black/White (15 minutes) is the most exciting dance I have ever watched. It is the story of a White woman who comes to Africa and the natives seem to go awe at her sight. They touch her skin to prove that she is human and feel her breath to find out how normal she is.

The two are 2007 compositions. But Valerie is set to prove that she has not been resting. Her 2008 composition, Fusion, is premiering at the show.

The piece with eight dancers and four percussionists should tell us of Miquel’s world view.

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