By Ogova Ondego
Published October 26, 2011
A dance show tracking various Kenyan cultures through the art of movement shall be staged in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 2, 2011.
Directed and choreographed by the France-based Kenyan Fernando Anuang’a, the dance show–dubbed Identity–is expected to bring together diverse traditions into a 60-minute choreographic spectacle, blending and fusing various dance styles into one show. From this, Anuang’a says he intends to create a platform from which dancers can continue to create and share professional choreographic work with local audiences.
“The show will present the different facets of Kenyan culture, both original and contemporary, and take a diverse audience on a voyage where they will experience distinct and different dance styles that reflect the scope of Kenyan culture,” Anuang’a says of the dance that shall bring together more than 13 professional and amateur artists in different disciplines of dance–contemporary, urban, hip-hop, break dance, Indian and chakacha–to the Alliance française Gardens at 7:30 pm.
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Anuang’a has been on the dance stage since the early 1990s when he performed as a as a Maasai dancer with the Rare Watts group. He has since toured and performed in many countries, including but not limited to Seychelles, Venezuela, Pakistan and Namibia. His previous productions include Fusion Indo-Maasai, Feelings and Voices and, most recently, Traditional Future produced by Pierre Cardin.
The Identity Dance Show is also expected to feature guest singers Iddi Achieng and Nina Ogot, Indian classical dancers from Kamini School of Dance, a Maasai vocals group, and dancers Kanda King and Rare Watts. Entry is Sh300 per head.
