Part of the Jaivah Workshop Series
TIME: 12 – 1:30 pm
VENUE: 179 Dundas Street East at Jarvis, Upstairs
ADVANCE: $20/workshop.
DOOR: $25/workshop
REGISTRATION: Book your spot in advance by registering ONLINE* or in person at African Drums & Art Crafts, 618 Dundas W @ Augusta, 416.517.0175
ABOUT PANTSULA: Learn to dance the Pantsula/Kwaito in this high-energy workshop that will push your coordination to the next level. Since the 1980s the Pantsula dance has been entertaining in townships of South Africa, but it was more than just another dance. It was a spontaneous expression of the lives of rebellious young men and women in the townships that needed a way out of misery and freedom from dominance and prejudice. The Pantsula dance is described as a flat footed African tap-and-glide style of dance. The Zulu word “pantsula” means to “waddle like a duck or alternatively to walk with protruded buttocks,” which is a characteristic of the dance. Pantsula also consisted of a certain fashion with the tsotsis (thugs) in each township proud to represent Pantsula in their culture … similar to the early days of Hip Hop/Breakdancing. Since music equipment was extremely limited for these youth, the majority of the competitive spirits of Pantsula was revealed in the streets – with the flashiest dressed and most creative dancers reigning. The description of the youth culture was therefore coded in specific dance steps performed in the streets. In today’s South Africa, the Pantsula dance and its accompanying music (Kwaito), have slowly migrated out of the townships and emerged in the commercial and pop arena.
INSTRUCTOR: Bokgabane was born 22 years ago in Dobsonville, Soweto, South Africa. His family and cultural traditions are ingrained in the flavour and expression of his Gumboot and Pantsula-style dancing. Yet every other style from tap to ballet to hip-hop seems to be a perfect fit for him to use movement to tell his story and share his emotion. He loves his dancing like he loves himself and his passion for dancing will never end.
WATCH Bokgabane in action on this demo clip: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=142256245830316