Iyasa, Ballet and Indian Dances at HIFA
Hie again
The second day of HIFA was very interesting. Let me tell you about my experience throughout the day from the first show I attended and the shows are: A Sprig of Rosemary, Iyasa, Matthew and Peter’s classical music, Kraft, Susheela Mehta and Bharatnatya Dance Company, The Crossing, Beauty and the B.E.E and Don’t Be A Stranger. Let me tell you one by one and it goes like so:
A Sprig of Rosemary was a classical ballet show held at the 7 Arts Theatre. Nice costumes and great ballet dances. The show reminded me of my Primary School. Our headmistress used to teach us some ballet to perform during Drama nights. The venue was packed with the majority of the audience being whites. Probably Blacks do not appreciate the kind of dance and I personally think it’s because of the type of costumes for both male and female performers. Now on to the second show.
Iyasa as we all know is a crowd puller. I got to the venue 5minutes after starting time and there was this long winding queue of ticket holders who wanted to get in. I am informed that the show had been sold out. Anyway, I managed to get in easily (the benefits of being a jounalist). Iyasa is just irresistable. They were energetic as always and those girls know how to make good use of their curvy bodies I have to admit. My best dancer Futurelove was not there but never the less the group managed to deliver and I do not regret the absence of Futurelove at all. My eyes got what they were looking for (crazy dances).
I then went to the classical music at the Recital Room. Again this was a white dominated show. Peter was playing the Piano while Matthew played the clarinet. The pair came from South Africa courtesy of the South African Emabssy. They were good I think and this show is one of those which need someone who appreciates that kind of music otherwise it would not mean anything.
Argueda Sanfiz from the Spanish Embassy (who now is more of Zimbo Jam’s friend) made sure we never missed Kraft. It was a puppet theatre and it made the audience mostly kids laugh their lungs out. They were very creative because it a second they would hold paper in a way that made it look like a puppet with legs, arms and a head and at one moment even wore shoes.
I am quite biased when it come to my judgement of a National Dress. I think India is the cut above the rest. I just love the Sari (and hey if you know anyone who can design a beautiful wedding dress that is more like a Sari, please let me know, I am considering an Indian feel for my future wedding (God knows when). Susheela is a great dancer. For an hour, she danced to a number of songs by a dance company. I love Indian jewelley. It looks so origional because the way it glitters adds beauty I think.
The Crossing is a true story by a Zimbabwean (Kwekwe based) boarder jumper who escaped death with a whisker and went through a tough time. The touching story was told by Jonathan himself in the presence of his mother who is still based in Kwekwe. Unfortunately Jonathan lost his dear friend Jacob in Limpopo river while illegally getting into South Africa. He only got to know that the person he had heard crying for help was his dear friend Jacob and this made him feel useless. It haunted him for some time until he used his craft skills to have Jacob back to life. He made Jacob using wire and up to date, he always has Jacob wherever he goes. After suffering for a long time and subjected to illtreatment, Jonathan has managed to make a name for himself as he has been able to be heard and known in the arts industry in South Africa.
I then went to Reps theatre for Beauty and the B.E.E. I was sleepy and thought maybe I will only watch the first 15 minutes of the show then sneak out to doze for 45 minutes but hey, I stayed until the very end thogh dozing here and there. I was almost convinced that Ben Voss (Beauty) was a woman. He (she) had this accent of a successful Zulu woman as she was said to be South Afrca’s Business Woman for 2008. The audience could not help but laugh throughout the show. He (or should I rather refer to hima as she?) had clever jokes that gave us the ugly face of politics in Africa. She talked of Thabo Mbeki road which was difficult to follow because it had many curves, double crossed Jacob Zuma Road and left it before it became Robert Mugabe. She then made a right turn into Winnie Mandela which unlike many roads in Jo’burg goes uphill and had many potholes. She went on and on.
After Beauty and the B.E.E, I went back to the main venue and headed straight to the Coca Cola green. Dudu Manhenga was performing with some Swedish group. I lost my attention of this beautiful performance because the soccer results for that day just spoiled my day. Arsenal lost 1-0 to Manchester. I ended my day on a negative day. Oh yes poor me!! Sympathise with me. I even regret up to now, I shouldn’t have made that call to enquire.
Well that was the second day of HIFA. Interesting wasn’t it? Tell me what you think. Will let you know of my next day at HIFA. Until then, goodbye!!!!!
Tindo
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