EVIDENCE school performance in Grahamstown, South Africa

March 1, 2010

Today we had our 2nd performance here in Africa on our DanceMotion USA tour. This performance was different than Senegal. We performed to a full seat theater full of children from many different neighboring schools in Grahamstown. The reception was no different than the last show. The children were very excited within only the first 2 minutes. It was great!

Tiffany, Lilli, and Clarice

We performed "Order My Steps" and "Grace". Dancing for the children was exhilarating. They threw so much energy at us, we couldn't help but just give it back. It was honestly one of our best performances to date. Normally performing school shows you hear the loudest roar of screams when the lights turn off at the beginning of the show. This was not the case in this instance. They were loud and very vocal throughout.

Meeting the children and answering their questions

After completing the show, the children stood up and cheered. Many screamed out that they wanted to see more. Instead, we changed our clothes and had a Q and A so we could answer their questions and meet them face to face with the lights on. They were very well behaved and had many "smart" questions. One child spoke about how she liked how different we all were and how different we all danced but still belonging to the same family. Many asked if we could come back and wanted to be in the company when they grew up. The exchange we made at this show was short, but we know we must come back to continue to share and teach these children the legacy of this work.

-Arcell Cabuag

EVIDENCE workshop Amaphiko at Joza, Grahamstown, South Africa

February 27, 2010

Our first workshop in South Africa was in a Township called Joza. We were joyously greeted by a small but strong group of children with song and warmth as soon as we pulled up in the van. My eyes actually welled up with tears as we walked through the group of singers and they parted for us to enter the building. It was an extremely humbling experience to have someone greet me with simple yet moving songs. That was a first for me and it was greatly accepted and appreciated.

Children singing to us as we arrive to teach a masterclass... AMAZING!

Once inside, the children enthusiastically showed us their famous Gumboot Dance. This is a dance that uses the whole body, especially the feet and hands, to create polyrhythms. I have seen the African-American fraternities and sororities use it as a base for their form of 'stepping'. It was one of those Oprah 'full circle' moments because i got to see firsthand where something that's so popular in the States in my culture originated.

Demonstration of South African Gumboot Dance

After they showed us their dance, Ron then taught a class with all of us helping him. The age range was from about 5-15 years and it included about 40 children. It was one of the most energizing experiences that I had in South Africa. The people were bursting at the seems to learn from us and share their culture. Later we also got to spend time hanging out and talking with some of the artists and teachers from the town. We learned that even though we may live miles and countries apart, we are very much the same—people trying to make a difference in our communities.

EVIDENCE and Makana Arts

-Clarice Young

EVIDENCE arrives in South Africa

February 26, 2010

Port Elizabeth Airport

We made it!!! After 2 days of traveling we arrived in Port Elizabeth and took a 2 hour drive to our destination: Grahamstown, South Africa.

Lilli excited to see that we were greeted by our drivers of Perlemoen Escapes

The moment we arrived we knew the culture and energy was very much different. The Bed and Breakfast where we were staying at was located in the heart of college town Rhodes University. Much to our surprise, it felt like many of the other college towns we have visited in the U.S.A. It was very reminiscent of Connecticut. Right away, we could see that this part of our journey would be much different than our experience in Dakar.

Sule in front of the Lantern Hill Guest House

We look forward to the rest of the week and the new adventures and connections ahead.

-Arcell Cabuag

Evidence in Africa

Arts Beat's Roslyn Sulcas chronicled Evidence, A Dance Company's travels in South Africa on The New York Times website:

Evidence in Africa: Dance in the Township of Joza
Evidence in Africa: How Do You Do What You Do?
Evidence in Africa: The Dancers’ Day Off