“Every year, I try and see who and what is really making waves nationally and internationally in the dance scene and see who we can get (on limited budgets) to come to South Africa. I hold firm to the African connections and we must support local Durban spaces, so – if space allows – this is when the international companies come in,” says artistic director, Lliane Loots, as she reveals how she keeps the annual Jomba! Experience fresh year after year.
Now in its 17th year, the dance fest which features national and international dancers take place from August 26 to September 6 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
Jomba! has certainly become a highly-anticipated event on the arts calendar in Durban and the rest of South Africa.
Reminiscing on the long yet fruitful journey, Loots shares: “To be honest, I was grateful that we even had that first edition and then things just sort of kept on flowing. I have been able to work with amazing people beside me who have fought to keep the festival alive. I think of Adriaan Donker and Peter Rorvik, for example.
“It is also unusual for a university to continue to fight for space to keep this alive and for that I am now grateful to Professor Cheryl Potgieter. For something like this to survive, it also has to reach a place in the imagination of the theatre audiences and for 17 years, we have had almost full houses; this is what keeps us coming back.”
Revealing some of the highlights at this year’s fest, the director says: “There are three big highlights. Firstly, the return (to Durban only) of Holland’s premier neo classical dance company called Introdans. They are one of Europe’s biggest companies and a big coup for Jomba!
“Secondly, my own personal highlight is the continued connection to our African continent and we are hosting three of Africa’s most recognised and prestigious choreographers in the form of Faustin Linyekula (DRC) and Adedayo Liadia and Qudus Onikeku from Nigeria.
“At this point in our history, it seems really significant to continue to hold this creative bridge.
“And lastly, Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre also returned to continue its three-year partnership with Durban’s Flatfoot Dance Company which is new work and a premier of the collaboration.”
Also, a press release states that for the first time, a special dance lighting workshop hosted by the US-based Christian Epps will take place.
It is certainly impressive and awe-inspiring that a fest has managed to grow and prosper with each passing year. Asked what she believes audiences find so appealing about Jomba! and has contributed to its success, she says: “Truthfully, I think that the excitement of a festival really works in Durban.
“People get to see eight dance companies in 12 days with very reasonably prices tickets. But it is also a space of sharing, so there are endless workshops and forums to hear dance makers and artists speak and I think this invites audiences in.
“And each year, the festival is unique so every year there is a whole host of dance work that will never been seen elsewhere in the country. Powerful stuff.
“And I have fought quite hard to keep this as a serious space for art and for contemporary dance. There is some much other stuff out there – ballroom, dance competitions that may appeal to a more popular audience but Jomba! is one of only two spaces in South Africa (Joburg Dance Umbrella being the other) that actively promotes and supports the growth and development of dance as a critical arts form in South Africa. I hold this very dear in a social environment where artists are being forced into endless mindless ‘entertainment’ jobs.
“A nation needs its critical art makers and Jomba! supports this. So, the work on offer, while not all ‘deep and meaningful’, is serious dance work and aimed at celebrating art and artistry. Of course, it is entertaining, but also engages the intellect.”
l The Jomba! Experience runs from August 26 to September 6 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Tickets are priced between R45 and R60 and are available at Computicket or at the venue an hour before the show. For info, visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za.