Tavaziva Dance Company Rehearsal/ Tottenham Creative Dance 60+ Group

As Education and Development Assistant for Tavaziva Dance my first blog was to observe the company's rehearsals for their up and coming show 'Sensual Africa' which will be touring the country in Spring 2012. I was joined by some of the members of the Tottenham Creative Dance 60+ group who will be participating in a workshop with Bawren Tavaziva in March 2012 with Counterpoint Dance and Claremont Creative Dance group run by Simona Scotto. This will be the first time that Tavaziva Dance will be working with the Tottenham Creative Dance 60+ group and hopefully this will be a partnership which will continue in the future.

As this was my first time to observe the dancers perform sections from 'Sensual Africa' I was blown away by the high level of the dancers and their clarity and precision of Bawren's unique choreography. The choreography was fierce, intense, punchy and rhythmical and as the duets forced their way through the space each dancer brought their own intensity, grit determination and power which makes the choreography explosive and captivating to an audience. Amongst the power and vigour of the choreography, Lisa Rowley's solo is powerful yet poetic demonstrating her well crafted technique and ability to fluidly move through the movement. It is exhilarating to be able to observe each dancer and appreciate their individual flair and commitment to the movement, as well as, their hard work and passion to succeed in the choreography.

After watching a short extract of the piece I asked Jackie Richards friend of Tavaziva Dance and director of the Tottenham Creative Dance 60+ group her thoughts on the piece and she expressed with enthusiasm and appreciation her amazement of the dancers and their ability to remember the choreography, as well as, show clarity and power in the movement. When I asked her to point out one significant aspect of the choreography which she enjoyed she mentioned how powerful the choreography was and how the dancers related well to one another. She was also struck by the choreography which incorporates classical and African dance movement.

I am looking forward to seeing ‘Sensual Africa’ in 2012 and to experience the choreography in full with costumes and lighting. To find out more information about the Sensual Africa tour dates please go to http://www.tavazivadance.com/sensual-africa.html and if you’re interested in booking a workshop with Tavaziva Dance please contact Jenny Hammond at jenny@tavazivadance.com for more information.