Jazzart to Host Seventh Annual Azishe Festival This Month

Jazzart is proud to announce the much-anticipated seventh Azishe Festival which will be presented at Artscape Theatre this month. In commemoration of the 40 years since the youth uprising in 1976, this year's festival is dedicated to the youth of South Africa so that their journey carries the rich legacy of our past.

Jazzart's commitment to social change through dance provides this collaborative platform for young aspiring dancers to express their creative passions. This year, the Jazzart trainees and selected trainees from Indoni Dance Arts and Leadership Academy, Cape Flats Development Association (CAFDA) Youth Dance Co 34/18, Dance For InSPIRAtions Youth Company and UCT School of Dance take to the stage and perform together in THE ROAD, choreographed by Mziyanda Mancam, Jazzart's resident teacher, and directed by Jazzart's artistic director, Sifiso Kweyama.

Jazzart's local Outreach Programme's participants, Thandile Mandela's Traditional Music Group, the Art and Events Emporium, the Devolution Dance Group, the Amy Biehl Foundation, Ghanima Community Development, the Eerste River Community Dancers and the scholars of Zonnebloem High School will showcase their inspiring performances with the Unmute Dance Company, the Garage Dance Ensemble from Okiep and the Kwamashu School of Dance from Durban.

Undoubtedly, audiences can expect exquisite performances where a constellation of dancers reveals their talent in various dance styles that range from contemporary, hip hop to pantsula. This installation marks our youth's contribution towards the creative economy, making Cape Town the leader in South African dance.

The Azishe Festival will be presented in the Artscape Theatre from 25 - 27 February 2016 at 19:30, with an additional matinee performance on 27 February at 15:00. Tickets cost R60, with a R40 concession price for students and block bookings of ten or more. Scholars enjoy a reduced rate of R30. Bookings can be made online at Computicket or by calling 0861 915 8000.