Categories: Events

Celebrating Five Decades: Jazzart Dance Theatre Honors Dance Visionaries

Jazzart Dance Theatre celebrates its 50th anniversary with a grand event called ENCORE, paying tribute to visionary directors, choreographers, performers, and teachers who have contributed to the world of dance. The gala takes place at the historic Artscape Theatre, showcasing a diverse lineup of performances by top choreographers, special guests, and highly recognized alumni. Jazzart performances not only demonstrate talent but also narrate stories, expressing the human experience in an emotive manner. ENCORE promises to be an unforgettable event and an appropriate homage to the legends of dance.

Jazzart Dance Theatre celebrates its 50th year with the crowning event, ENCORE, at the Artscape Theatre. The gala pays tribute to visionary directors, choreographers, performers, and teachers who have contributed to the domain of dance. The diverse line-up includes performances by top choreographers, special guest performers, and highly recognized alumni. Jazzart performances not only showcase talent but also narrate stories, expressing the human experience in an emotive manner. ENCORE guarantees an unforgettable experience and an appropriate homage to the legends of dance.

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An Exceptional Journey

Marking its 50th year, Jazzart Dance Theatre has celebrated this milestone with a mixture of joy, retrospection, and jubilation. The crowning event, dubbed ENCORE, presents an incredible spectacle captivating not only the citizens of Cape Town but also saluting the eminent individuals who have moulded Jazzart’s rich legacy, inscribing their unique imprints in the dance universe.

An Exquisite Venue for a Grand Finale

ENCORE shines in the spotlight at the Artscape Theatre, known for its immense historical significance and architectural brilliance, offering an ideal setting for an ode to the past half-century. This event is a meticulously arranged gala demonstrating Jazzart’s custom of featuring extraordinary talents who have illuminated its stage in the years gone by. This tribute is extended to visionary directors and choreographers, talented performers, and dedicated teachers, all of whom have provided invaluable contributions to the domain of dance.

A Diverse Line-Up

What fascinates spectators is the diverse array of performances. Top choreographers from various periods reveal a spectrum of dance types, embellished with spectacular costumes. A special guest performance by Alfred Hinkel and John Linden’s Garage Dance Ensemble, choreographed by Byron Klassen and Marlin Zoutman, eagerly awaited by the audience. Furthermore, highly recognized alumni from the 90s, including Gregg Adams, Sbonakaliso Ndaba, Lewellyn Afrika, Yaseen Manuel, and Keenun Wales, reappear, demonstrating their mastery and dedication.

Paying Homage and Showcasing Talent

ENCORE also pays tribute to iconic figures in Jazzart’s history, like previous artistic directors Sifiso Kweyama and Jackie Manyaapelo. Alongside them, remarkable alumni artists such as Sbonakaliso Ndaba, Marlin Zoutman, Celeste Botha, Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf, and Tanzley Jooste will present their skills, further enhancing the line-up.

Since its inception in 1973, Jazzart Dance Theatre has been a shining star in South Africa’s contemporary dance firmament. Not only showcasing proficiency and creativity, it has also served as a hotbed for upcoming artists. Many of these artists have transitioned into influential figures in the global dance fraternity. This nurturing ecosystem, combined with a robust sense of community within the company, has played a significant role in Jazzart’s ongoing success and longevity.

More Than Just a Performance

Jazzart’s performances go beyond displaying talent; they seek to narrate stories. They are acclaimed for their capability to express the human experience in a gripping and emotive manner. The dancers do not merely execute movements; they breathe life into narratives, making them spring to life on the stage.

An Unforgettable Event

The grand finale, ENCORE, is scheduled for Thursday, 29 February, and Friday, 1 March, at 7pm at the Artscape Theatre. Tickets are priced at R150pp and can be booked online. This hypnotizing production guarantees an unforgettable experience, an appropriate homage to the legends of dance.

A Continuing Legacy

The 50-year celebration of Jazzart Dance Theatre not only signifies a crucial landmark in the company’s timeline but also stands as evidence of its lasting impact and ongoing relevance. It is an acknowledgment of the company’s unyielding dedication to dance and a celebration of the extraordinary talent that has adorned its stage. As Jazzart concludes this special anniversary, it girds itself for the next chapter in its illustrious journey, upholding the legacy of excellence and devotion to the dance.

END.

1. What is ENCORE?

ENCORE is a grand event celebrating Jazzart Dance Theatre’s 50th anniversary, paying tribute to visionary directors, choreographers, performers, and teachers who have contributed to the world of dance.

2. Where is ENCORE taking place?

ENCORE is taking place at the historic Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, known for its immense historical significance and architectural brilliance.

3. Who will be performing at ENCORE?

ENCORE features a diverse lineup of performances by top choreographers, special guests, and highly recognized alumni, including top choreographers from various periods and highly recognized alumni from the 90s.

4. What is unique about Jazzart Dance Theatre’s performances?

Jazzart’s performances do not only showcase talent, but they also seek to narrate stories and express the human experience in an emotive manner.

5. How can I buy tickets for ENCORE?

Tickets for ENCORE can be booked online, and they are priced at R150 per person.

6. What does the 50-year celebration of Jazzart Dance Theatre signify?

The 50-year celebration of Jazzart Dance Theatre signifies a crucial landmark in the company’s timeline and stands as evidence of its lasting impact and ongoing relevance. It is an acknowledgment of the company’s unyielding dedication to dance and a celebration of the extraordinary talent that has adorned its stage.

Kagiso Petersen

Kagiso Petersen is a Cape Town journalist who reports on the city’s evolving food culture—tracking everything from township braai innovators to Sea Point bistros signed up to the Ocean Wise pledge. Raised in Bo-Kaap and now cycling daily along the Atlantic Seaboard, he brings a palpable love for the city’s layered flavours and even more layered stories to every assignment.

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