Summer Intensive @ the Bernie Grant Arts Centre

Last week saw the company host its summer intensive at our home the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, where we are company in residence. This three day workshop aimed at students, graduates, professional and aspiring dancers, followed on from two single day intensives that had proved successful earlier in the year. The company wanted to once again give dance enthusiasts the chance to work with Bawren and his dancers, and we were keen to extend the project over three days, so that participants could really immerse themselves in the Tavaziva style.

Kicking off bright and early Monday morning, Artistic Director Bawren put the participants through their paces from the word go with a typical Tavaziva style technique class! Following this the dancers learnt company repertoire and were led through a series of creative and choreographic tasks. I had the opportunity to observe some of the creative work on Monday afternoon, and in a corner of the studio, I sat and watched Bawren as he instructed the dancers as they contorted their bodies into a sequence of shapes – creating a series of movement snap shots, sharp, precise and strong.  

(Participant hits a shape)

Each day saw a progression from the last, with the dancers gaining more understanding of the way Bawren works and the kind of movement that is produced in the studio. Day three ended with a sharing of the work created, with an invited audience from the Arts Centre and Enterprise Building at Bernie Grant. It was great to be able to share what the company does with other centre users, and displays the opportunities that are open to us and the centre through our company in residence status.

(Bawren leads the participants through an exercise in class)

The feedback from the three days from Bawren, the participants and audience was all very positive. Tavaziva Dance’s Education Programme continues to grow and develop and we hope to continue to offer opportunities like this to aspiring dancers out there as often as we can. So watch this space!

“The workshop was amazing; the final day was when I was really discovering Tavaziva’s vocab”

“I really enjoyed working with you this week...love your material........think it’s brilliant!”

“We really valued being able to share the work we had produced with an audience”

(Workshop participant’s feedback)

Tavaziva Dance @ The Bristol Harbour Festival

The sun shone brightly on Bristol on Saturday, as the 40^th Harbour Festival brought the bustling city alive in an explosion of art and culture.

Originally named the Bristol Water Festival and starting out in 1971, “it marked a key moment in the transition of the harbour from a working dock to the vibrant focus of culture and leisure that is has become” (Simon Cook, Cabinet Member of Culture and Arts, Bristol City Council – quote taken from Festival Programme). Now one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country, it brings together a collective of artists from around the local area and way beyond, showcasing their talents in dance, music, drama, and circus skills as well as including an impressive market offering everything from food to art. Visitors can also enjoy a walk along the harbour to take in the flotilla of vessels lining the dock, their brightly coloured flags gently blowing in the summer breeze.

This year the festival carried on its name as one of the most successful dance festivals in the South West, and partnered with national dance agency Swindon Dance, brought a diverse and entertaining line-up of youth, community and professional dance companies to the Dance Village. As a company Tavaziva Dance also continued its long-standing relationship with Swindon Dance, as the agency invited them to be a part of this exciting weekend, as one their headline acts.

(An image from Double Take used for the festival publicity)

As I stepped out of Temple Meads Station, I could sense a real buzz in the city, and followed the hoards of people as they meandered their way down to the waterfront. Arriving at the Millenium Square where the main stage was located, I had time to take in all the assorted sights, smells and sounds, as well as catch two other performances taking place on the main stage. The first was by Tolo Ko Tolo, a fusion company who “explore contemporised African diaspora dance forms with traditional African dance, drums, kalimba, guitar and voice”. Next was Movement Collective, a Bristol based company working in a “variety of contemporary styles to produce highly physical and accessible dance and theatre performances”.

After enjoying what these companies had to offer, the MC then gave a very generous and warm introduction to Tavaziva Dance, describing the company as being renowned nationally and internationally, and as also naming them as one of her favourite companies – what an introduction! The three dancers (Katie, Anna and Petros) then took to the stage for their 15mins slot, an extract from the current repertoire Double Take. The dancers looked as strong as always, even though they had had just 3 days prior to rehearse the piece (which they had last danced way back in March) and edit it from a full length work to just 15mins. This was also the first time they had been onto the stage, and so had no idea what to expect of the floor and space. They coped just as expected and gave a solid performance, with Bawren’s stirring music ringing out from the loud speakers. Just an hour later, and after taking in some more of the festivities, I was back to watch take two – the company’s second slot on the main stage. It was great to see how the dancers coped this time round: having now adjusted to their space and surroundings, the dancers gave a much more vibrant, slick and confident performance.

(Petros, Anna & Katie getting the audience going!)

One of the highlights of the day for me was seeing how the audiences differed between the two slots – there was a steady flow of people wandering to the main stage and away again, choosing to stay and watch all of or just bits of the performance. And I think that’s what makes performance opportunities like this so unique and exciting: the diversity of the crowd means Tavaziva Dance is reaching much wider audiences. All kinds of people, differing in age and ethnicity, who probably would not have seen the company otherwise, had the chance to see Bawren’s unique fusion of contemporary and African dance and enjoy the delights of three of our powerful dancers. I left the company to have a well deserved rest, before they would be back on Sunday for two more performance slots; and to once again reach a new audience of people. As I made my way through the crowd, I overheard a lady as she approached Bawren and said, “Wow, what lovely choreography. Well done, that was great. And that’s my culture for the day!”

(Up on the big screen!)

Don’t worry if you missed this performance, you can see the full length version of Double Take in theatres across the UK this autumn. See our website for full tour dates and venues: http://www.tavazivadance.com/html/company.html

(posted by Jenny Hammond, Administrator & Education Manager)