Sponsored Drum - A BIG Success!!!

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who donated to last week’s sponsored drum event and to everyone who was able to attend. 

It was a BIG success! Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva managed to drum for the entire hour and our beautiful dancers entertained the small audience with excerpts from the new piece ‘Sensual Africa’.  John Baraldi CEO at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre where the company are based acted as the official adjudicator and counted down to the start of the event.   The small audience were treated to some sweet rhythmical percussive sounds from Bawren’s traditional drums. Bawren shared  the space with his spirited dancers, before they retired to the wings  in order for the full beat to once again be felt and heard by the audience.   The minutes ticked away with ease as the rhythms began to build, it was almost trance like.

The energy in the room was incredible as Bawren’s drumming gained momentum; the audience showed their support and appreciation with cheers, chants and swaying from side to side in their seats.  With only ten minutes remaining the dancers returned to the floor as Bawren’s drumming got louder, the dancers showed off their energetic free-style dancing with the Tavaziva classic twist.  Jackie Richards from the 60+ Creative Dance group gave an impromptu dance which added to the celebratory feel of the evening. Jackie was then joined by another member of the 60+ group, the energy and excitement was great as the dancing continued lifting the spirits.  John Baraldi was then joined by the dancers and the audience as they began the ten second count-down which ended in raptures applause as Bawren had completed the task in hand and drummed non-stop for the entire hour!

Bawren was incredible and kept everyone captivated his hands were very red and sore at the end of it but he ended the event with a big grin on his face...clearly pleased with his achievement.

We raised £965.61 in total which will all go towards the cost of live music for our Spring 2012 Tour of ‘Sensual Africa’.

The whole company have been overwhelmed by the level of support we received for the event, your generosity is very much appreciated!

We do hope that you will get to see the full performance of Sensual Africa when it tours next Spring.  Tour dates coming soon! 

Click on link below to see some footage from the event,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJNHaGBpRkI

Being an Apprentice Dancer with Tavaziva Dance by Ellen Yilma

My experience so far as an apprentice with Tavaziva Dance has been a huge insight into the professional life of a dancer. With only three weeks to learn ‘Double Take’ for the Autumn Tour and for it to be performance ready at the Déda Theatre in Derby was a challenge, and an intense start to the year with the Company.

Every day we begin with class, most days taken by Bawren or ballet by Denzil Bailey or another company member; each session always a thorough physical workout to start the day pushing you to your limits. The pace of the classes are quick and dynamic and I am learning a lot by observing the company’s level of commitment and strength when approaching Bawrens work.  After class we would go straight in to rehearsal as there is much to learn for the apprentices in the ‘Double Take’ piece which is great! As well as class and rehearsal, for the past three weeks Bawren has also set aside a short period of time each day to develop the apprentice dancers. This has already been an extremely beneficial introduction, as the additional personal feedback has helped me to develop and focus on my individual dance quality as well as other areas for improvement.  

The company ethos is one that is always striving to develop and to go even further and I have enjoyed being a part of this. The work is physically demanding but the atmosphere in the studio is always enthusiastic and supportive from start to finish, creating an extremely encouraging environment. In addition, the management and artistic team are also very helpful and friendly and it really feels like a small family unit working together to achieve the same artistic goals and I feel welcomed as part of the team!

After three weeks the company travelled to Derby to begin the tour. Soon after arriving we were warming up for the tech rehearsals which were quick and efficient and having not danced in the full lighting states before there was a lot to take in and to remember for the evening’s performance. The company were very helpful guiding the apprentices through the spacing and lighting cues and we ran each half full out with both sound and lights for the first time. Before performing I was very nervous but I could feel everyone in the company willing each other to do well and there was a great energy back stage which made me feel confident.

Petros and I also went back to Derby to teach a workshop to a group of University students. This was a great opportunity to teach what I have learnt with the company so far. We kept the workshop lively and physical and we received a great response from the students particularly when learning the repertoire sections from ‘Double Take’.

My first performance went really well and although there are areas I am aware I need to work on and improve, after a short rehearsal time I’m happy with how things went. The company give off an amazing energy in performance and it was exciting to experience this and to bounce off and I look forward to the rest of the tour and to further my performance along the way!

Ellen Yilma

October 2011

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)

Summer @ Tavaziva Dance

For all you experienced dancers out there, here are a couple of things happening at Tavaziva Dance in August that you shouldn’t miss!

SUMMER INTENSIVE

In association with the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tavaziva Dance hosts a 3 day summer intensive for aspiring dancers and dance professionals. Led by Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva, participants will be invited to be inspired, get creative and experience a new way of dancing! During the 3 days, participants will be immersed in the company’s signature style, through a technique class, learning of repertoire and creative sessions.

Dates: Mon 22, Tues 23 & Wed 24 August

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX

Price: £75*

*EARLY BIRD BOOKING PRICE JUST £60 - ENDS THIS FRIDAY 29 JULY!!!

To book a place please contact Jenny Hammond via email jenny@tavazivadance.com or call the office on 020 8365 9150. Look forward to seeing you there!

COMPANY DANCER AUDITIONS 

Contract Period: 12 September 2011 – 24 March 2012 (Applicants must be available for the whole contract period)

Choreographer/Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva seek an experienced new dancer to join his UK based touring dance company. Tavaziva’s work is underpinned by Bawren’s classic fusion of African and Contemporary dance.

Applicants must have a minimum of 2/3 years professional experience, a high level of contemporary dance technique, as well as good natural rhythm capturing the essence required for African dance.

Audition Details

Date: Wed 10 Aug 2011

Time(s): 10am-6pm

Location: Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX

Recalls & Interviews

Date: Thurs 11 Aug 2011

Time(s): 10am-6pm

Location:  Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX

Audition is by invitation only:

Please send a CV, photo and covering letter to:

jenny@tavazivadance.com

or post to

Jenny Hammond

Tavaziva Dance

Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, London, N15 4RX

Closing date for applications is Thursday 4 Aug 2011, 5pm



A Final Goodbye

Hello Everyone,

My last day with the company as admin and marketing assistant will be tomorrow so this is sadly my last blog. I have worked for Tavaziva for eight months and have loved every minute and am very sad to leave. It’s hard to put into words how much I have learnt this year and how many opportunities I have been given, the company is professional, motivated and hard working and there is no stopping them.

Don’t forget to keep checking the blog as I will make sure the company keep everyone posted with what they are up to. I just had a glimpse of what the company are about and how they operate this past year, I do believe that they will continue to produce amazing work and go from strength to strength. In the meantime, Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva is going on a two week trip to Malawi leaving today, as part of the research and development for his new piece ‘Sensual Africa’, keep up to date with his findings on www.bawrentavaziva.blogspot.com

One final thanks to everyone who has made this year so special and to those of you out there reading my thoughts!

Lots of Love

Sophie    

Day Intensive #2

The second of this season’s dance intensive days took place at Paddington Arts on Thursday 21^st April, and calling it an intensive was an understatement. Bawren worked the participants hard, starting with floor exercises to work on flexibility and breathing, working to standing exercises for tendues and plies, accompanied by Bawren’s heart beat rhythms on his djembe. The warm up moved quickly into a fast paced travelling sequence. Moves for the sequence were taught first so they could grasp the idea and then the arms added in later. Bawren reminded the dancers to be less wild with their arms and think about their placings as well as ‘feeling the beat’. The sequence was danced to a CD of what can only be described as ‘funky African beats’, allowing the dancers to get rhythm in their bodies.

Bawren taught the dancers some new rep he had been working on from his research and development. The themes for this include the relationships between man and woman and the process in which a boy turns into a man. This meant that the duets had intricate placings of the feet and hands and fast lifts where the moves flowed one into another with enveloping hugs and close contact. Every pair had a different quality to their movement and performed the duet with different intentions, some pausing at points to look at one another and others with ferocity to their moves.

The last part of the day was a creative session, which was the first in any workshop that I had observed. Bawren told the dancers to go over the material they had learnt during the morning session and then, with different partners they had to break it up and think of ways to aid their partner to come to the next move by travelling with them, pushing their limbs etc, creating a dialogue with the vocabulary. Bawren told the dancers not to add anything fancy or extra to the movement, to keep it clean but still interesting. The second part of the creative session involved the pairs coming up with two counts of eight movements which had to be punchy, quick and vulgar as it was to be about selling your body on the street. What proceeded was a montage of inward, awkward moves which Bawren loved and I could see the light bulb turning on in his head. I think just from these initial ideas; his new piece of work is going to be very in-depth and thought provoking.  

The final part of the day was a mix of all the different sections. In their pairs, Bawren taught the dancers a section of his own travelling material that would get them onto the stage from the side. The dancers then performed their own two counts of eight, followed by their interpretation of the mornings’ sequence mixed in with lifts and the guided sequence. What emerged was a fast paced five minute piece that could be performed in a loop; it was interesting to see how everybody interpreted the given instructions differently, making the end product varied and very interesting to watch.

The day ended with a much needed cool down with slow stretches and breathing exercises. The Tavaziva intensives get more interesting and in depth the more that take place, so watch this space for the next one!

In other news:

Our application to the National Portfolio Funding programme has been successful and we are over the moon! We have received funding up until 2015, so we can progress with our wonderful portfolio of work!