Free weekend in Durban

Free weekend in Durban


Jamba! Body politics. The most amazing, inspiring, political contemporary dance performance I have ever attended.

This weekend I went with my apartment mates (Julia, Hilary, and Telise) to the local University Theater and watched/ participated in “Lime Lights on Rights.” It was this incredible show that exposed African funeral policies which the media has exploited people’s emotions by marketing and publicity schemes. In Africa Funerals are ridiculously expensive, and people are convinced they need large amounts of ceremonial and expensive frufru . On TV there are advertisements for funeral policies/ insurance, (which would be similar to a life insurance policy) this dance highlighted this exploitation and the audience members experienced some of the same emotions of being ripped off, misinformed, and confused. The audience was invited to walk outside and up a set of stairs were a the stage was set in the middle of a clearing in the woods. There were a about 20 chairs set out for an audience of 100 and half of them had ‘reserved’ signs on them (just as a African funeral would reserve seats for the family.) Other chairs were strewn around the stage as well as in the bushes, no directions were given and the audience confusion started to grow. There were three dancers( I will try to explain their actions coherently to the best of my ability): an older gentleman who represented the left behind relative of the disseats, a younger man who played a character to symbolize the emotions created by the exploitation and death of a family member, confusion, anger, numbness, and then in the end the physiological breakdown after the proceedings of the funeral did nothing to deal with the other emotions and pain. And last but not least the coroner, who used a chicken to represent the preparation of the body (he eventually snapped running around into the forest. Eventually though out the show the audience was given chairs and had their chairs taken away from them, the audience was scammed in the fact they had paid for their tickets and didn’t even get a seat for the entire show. The show was very powerful and I wish I could have explained it better.

The second act of the show was the most amazing dancing I have ever seen. It was a the first piece Cedric Saidou a French/creole chorographer ever created and it was beautiful. Didier Boutianaa and Shay Arzeux preformed a duet which incorporated fantastic dramatic lighting and perfectly controlled sculpted bodies to portray fear of being confined, misunderstood, need to be faithful to ones roots and culture and then being able to leave that culture. The dance was a combination of break dancing, hip-hop, yoga, and contemporary dance, all at an insane whirling pace. Their body control inspired me to one take care of my body and better eating and exercise habits, but also start dancing to express my emotions. This was one of best artistic events I have ever been to, and defiantly the best night I have experienced in Durban.

Quotes for today

“I always get sun burnt, and I don’t really care because it will turn tan…and it makes me warm” Telisis justification of sunburn

“Today, in front of you, I confess, today I want to rise from dreams and dance reality”

Night at Cool Joes, having a blast with 5 hours of amazing dance music 20 some girls, and ‘sex on the beach’

This weekend we gave our home stay families a break and took a break ourselves by having a free weekend in Durban. We are staying at Windimer flats, beautiful apartment style housing on the beach. Frisbee on the beach, morning runs the beach, body surfing, battling the sea with our massive sand castle constructions, a night out at cool Joes, the best picnic lunch ever, avocados, cheese and hot fresh bread!

Great conversations over dinner (lovely vegies and chicken over pasta), I got to know Julia, Telise, and Hilary so much better. Start of some really great friendships.