Artscape And Unmute To Celebrate People With Disabilities

Unmute Dance Company in association with Artscape Theatre is set to celebrate the International Week for Persons with Disabilities by presenting IMBIZO on 2 December 2016 at Artscape Theatre.

The show is part of the Unmute ArtsAbility Festival, a week-long event of activities during the International Week for Persons with Disabilities from 28 November to 3 December, presenting live performances, live exhibitions and installations, site-specific shows and outdoor performances that will be happening at Langa Township. Artists will be using the arts to transform public and private spaces and making them accessible for people to start dialogues around disability and integration, while celebrating the unrecognised abilities that people with disabilities possess.

IMBIZO, directed by Themba Mbuli and choreographed by Andile Vellem, Nadine McKenzie, Yaseen Manuel and Rae Classen will present a display of collaborative artistic works by disabled artists, ranging from wheelchair bound to deaf, as well as able-bodied artists from mixed genres to create artistic works that interrogate, integrate and celebrate people's different abilities. The Performances will feature Isibonelo Dance Project, Lingua Franca, Muziek Sensation, Unmute Dance Company, Jika Madinga, Filia School for Special Needs and Light of Life.

The show's theme of accessibility is intended to start dialogues about inclusion and open a platform for society to engage with issues related to disability and integration. It challenges artists, musicians, dancers, actors and puppeteers to collaborate or create inclusive works of art, with mixed abled performers and also challenge people's misconceptions about disability while focusing on ability rather than disability.