On Valentine’s Day in 1989, 15 choreographers from Joburg, Soweto, Sebokeng and Pretoria, dancing in bare feet, pantsula takkies or pointe shoes, stamped their artistic identities on The Wits Theatre stage.

Decades later the adventurous spirit of that first Dance Umbrella continues, but this festval has advanced and is now interna- tionally recognised.

For this 24th edition of SA’s oldest contemporary dance bonanza, artistic director Georgina Thomson takes the guesswork out of what not to miss.

For the first time commissioned and invited works dominate, with only Stepping Stones being a truly open space.

The programming lines up companies, individuals and collaborations that span our dance-making history back to the 1970s. So the tone of the festival is reflective and introspective, paving the way for the 25th anniversary next year.

The event is a mini showcase of local dance and the energies and strategies that keep South African choreographers in the spotlight.

The few, that is, who have persevered and continue to do so in trying conditions.

WHERE THE ACTION IS

• The Dance Factory, Newtown;

• The Market Theatre, Newtown;

• Arts on Main, Maboneng Precinct: Goodman Gallery Projects at Arts on Main and Goethe on Main

• The Wits Theatre, Braamfontein;

• The Dance Space, Newtown.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Dance Writers Workshop facilitated by Mary Corrigall, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, National Arts Council and Goethe-Institut.

lYoung Choreographers Residency Programme (February 22 – March 3). Legendary teacher and choreographer Alfred Hinkel interacts with established and up-and-coming young dancer- choreographers in classes and creative workshops. Participants include Thabo Rapoo, Bailey Snyman, Kieron Jina, Lucky Kele, Durban’s Vusi Makanya and Cape Town’s Jamila Rodrigues.

• Face to Face Post Performance Discussions (selected performances from February 16 to March 4): Choreographers, sometimes joined by their artistic collaborators, will join me and the audience immediately after their respective performances to talk about their processes and inspirations.

• This week: On Thursday at 7.30pm, Nelisiwe Xaba and Mocke J van Veuren discuss their inter- active process after the preview performance of Uncles and Angels, at Arts on Main. On Saturday night Gregory Maqoma and collaborators unpack the journey of Exit/Exist. On Sunday, Jay Pather and cast explore their Qaphela Caesar on site after the 6pm 90-minute performance.

Dance Umbrella 2012 Gala Evening (The Market Theatre, February 20 at 6pm.) By invitation only.

DANCE COMPANIES

TO THE FORE

Sylvia Glasser’s Moving Into Dance Mophatong Dance Company (MIDM) ; Robyn Orlin’s Berlin-based City Theatre and Dance Group (returning with the iconic Daddy…); The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative; Dirk Badenhorst’s Mzansi Productions (premiering Mari-Louise Basson’s uncle stans jane and john doe); Gregory Maqoma’s Vuyani Dance Theatre; Vincent Mantsoe’s company Association Noa (France); Gaby Saranouffi’s Vahinala Dance Company (Madagascar) and Moeketsi Koena’s Inzalo Theatre and Dance Company; Jay Pather’s Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre, from Durban; Nelisiwe Xaba’s Newtown Theatre and Dance Company; Marie Brolin- Tani’s The Young Fuse Dance Company/Smalands Musik & Teater (Sweden); Floating Outfit Project from Durban (Boyzie Cekwana: a thinking out loud experiment and Desire Davids: Who is this?) and the First Physical Theatre Company from Grahamstown.

INDEPENDENTS WITH CLOUT

Alfred Hinkel: Dansmetdieduiwels (from Okiep, Northern Cape); Nhlanhla Mahlangu: Chant directed by Gerard Bester; The Dance Factory’s Dada Masilo Death and the Maidens (world premiere); Kieron Jina Homodryer; Athena Mazarakis with Spain’s Hansel Nezza (Inter.Fear); Brussels-based Moya Michael (world premiere Out of this Body … for a Little While); Durban’s Mdu Mtshali: Imbokodo.

AT STEPPING STONES 1 and 2 BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR:

Saturday: Jazzart Dance Theatre’s Mziyanda Mancam with Couch, a male trio; Dr Ranjit Lalloo’s Jhankhaar School of Dance; Obed Shongwe’s World Behind the World; MIDM’s Julia Burnham; Vuyani Dance Theatre’s Keaoleboga Seodigeng.

Sunday: Leigh Nudelman and Gina Cooperman, Dillone Prince, Zwelethu Sebolai and Joe Teffo.

ZESTY COLLABORATIONS

Take your pick – or maybe don’t – see them all. Tick off Exit/Exist, Uncles & Angels, Qaphela Caesar!, Inter.Fear, Who is this? … Beneath my Skin; Faith; Opera for Fools, Death and the Maidens, Chant.

• Dance Umbrella, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Fund, runs from Friday to March 4. Tickets R30-R100. Book at Computicket. For Goodman on Main and Old Stock Exchange performances call 011 492 2033. Block bookings and updates: 083 570 3083. Visit www.danceumbrella@artslink.co.za