“This is NOT your average dance-play! Dansteater se moer!” reads the media release – and we can’t wait!
“Dear non-dancers; the definitely-not-athletes-of-God; those of you with more than one left foot; the bitter has-beens/ once-upon-a-time-I-was-a-prima; bigots & those who just don’t care,
Our dance industry is in perpetual recession.
We, the dancers, are not slaves to those stuck in 1970-something. Audiences resemble privileged hospices, money is disappearing, orchestras are owed, & we are tired of Swan F**** Lake!
Here is our manifesto: #BALLETMUSTFALL & we demand change! This is a house of the revolution, so leave your white tendencies at the door & see dance as never before.
Meanwhile, we gather the few Rand in our pocket, fly overseas and audition with Russian anorexics on the right side of exchange rates with familiarity on their side. And we are just left with so many questions:
Were they born like that? Do they even eat? Do they have real friends?
Back home, funding goes to classical Ballet, the dance of imperial Europe. Let’s face it, we just don’t have the body type for lily white tutus. Oh, and pointe shoes, they don’t come in brown, so even Misty Copeland probably has to dye all her shoes to match her skin tone. This is a taste of our rather ridiculous predicament as young dancers. We’ve degraded ourselves one too many times for some random commercial casting director who couldn’t even care & we definitely don’t want to “Giselle” again.
So we invite all to join our cause and laugh at the comedy that is the life of the Athletes-of-God. We refuse to be silent anymore. We want justice & reform. Viva la Revolution.”
Jared Musiker is not your average dance enthusiast, perhaps more the self proclaimed enfant terrible/ dance revolutionary. He graduated from the Cape Academy of Performing Arts in 2014 majoring in contemporary dance and drama (most definitely not musical theatre). After that, he spent some time travelling around auditioning & learning more about innovative aspects of contemporary dance, movement therapy and new choreographic processes. Jared Musiker is also a qualified hot yoga instructor. He is working towards a licentiate in classical piano, for what he calls a “serious hobby.”
Jared is also starting a new production company acting as an incubator focussed on creating a transformative space for new innovative edgy performances of international standard, in dance and physical theatre here in South Africa. The idea is to start new conversations in this area of the arts, and start drawing the interest back whilst creating more sustainable options for young performers looking into this career.
Asisipho Malunga is a 22 year old dancer, actress and singer who graduated from the Cape Academy of Performing Arts in 2014. She has done some exciting work with the Yellow Glove Collective earlier in 2015, not only performing but involved in the creative process as well. Her talents allow her to be flexible in her career and apart from her work in #BalletMustFall, she is also currently acting in an international film shot here in Cape Town.
Schedule
WHAT & WHO: #BalletMustFall, written, directed, choreographed by Jared Musiker | Co-written by Asisipho Malunga, Rudzani Moleya and Londiwe Khoza | Performed By Jared Musiker & Asisipho Malunga/ Londiwe Khoza
WHERE: Alexander Bar & Café, 76 Strand Street (Corner Loop), Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Thu 7th Jan 9pm Fri 8th Jan 9pm Sat 9th Jan 9pm
TICKETS: R80 / R70 if paid in advance and can be booked here. You can also purchase tickets in person at the bar anytime during regular opening hours (Mon – Sat 11am to 1am)
CONTACT: T 021 300 1652 Facebook Twitter: @AlexanderBarCT
Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Alexander Bar & Café is open 7 days a week: Mon-Sat: 11am – 1am, Sun: 12pm – 12am.
Sandwiches, light meals, cheese boards and snacks served til midnight.
