Bawren Tavaziva has been invited to make a new duet in memory of Thea Nerissa Barnes for a tribute performance at the Lyceum Theatre in London on Monday 12 August 2019. Thea was Bawren’s Artistic Director at Phoenix Dance when he was a dancer with the company between 2000 and 2002.

“Thea Barnes was amazing and I learnt so much from her as a person and as a director. She had a very unique vibe and I want the duet that I present at the tribute to reflect that character, in celebration of her life. When I made Umdlalo Kasisi in 2004, Thea said it was ‘a gem’ and a gift to my sister who the work was dedicated to. I want this new work to be just as special, and my gift to Thea.”  Bawren Tavaziva

The show will also launch The Thea Barnes Legacy Fund, which has been created to support the work of current and future dance artists.

I’m so proud of where Tavaziva has come in 15 years…

We are a company that approaches productions by thinking big and we don’t believe in being restricted by resources, for example the quality of the dancers that we work with are worth more than gold, the productions are worth more than any money in the world. As a choreographer, I am surrounded by very creative people and a fantastic production team, and they put their hearts into the work, which is priceless. We are ready to push on forward to create more amazing work.

My biggest achievements…

Over the last 15 years it has been amazing to see the dancers that I have worked with develop as artists and move on to be really successful. When they leave Tavaziva they go on to work with really big, successful companies and it feels great that I inspired them, and they have developed through my classes and creativity – it makes me really happy.

In that time, I have also achieved a huge body of work. I can see myself staging some of those works over the next 15 years, but I’m still young and will create more! Looking back, I started to really develop as an artist when I created my full-length works. Both Greed and Izindava stand out to me as my strongest pieces. The skill of putting the works together and the choice of dancers I selected made them very powerful productions. I always wanted to create a company that I would have auditioned for myself.

From the very start of my career, I have created the music to accompany my productions, except for Africarmen which was composed by Fayyaz Virji. I have developed my music-making skills and grown as an engineer because I do my own mixes, play my own instruments and I am mastering music production, which has all been self-taught.

Over the years I have been influenced by…

I am inspired by Choreographers such as Neville Campbell, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Christopher Bruce and Alvin Ailey. I love the way they structure their work and how creative they are as individuals – they create very powerful work.

In terms of music collaboration, I wish that I’d been able to collaborate with Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi who is a huge cultural figure, but unfortunately he passed away this year. ForBOY’S KHAYA, my next new work ,I’m collaborating on one of the tracks with Willom Tight who is a great artist and legend in Zimbabwe – he has just done a collaboration with Salif Keita, which I loved. Willom and I grew up together and we were in a band when I was 12 years old. We toured together and I was the lead singer and played percussion. Everyone in Africa plays percussion, we always had drums around and we all played for each other as we danced. People in the UK are always so surprised that I dance and play, yet it’s so normal back home.

My ambitions for the future…

I would like to have a Tavaziva Dance Studio, which would be a home for the company. Within that building we would have a dance school.

I’d love to tour internationally and offer more security to our dancers and give them longer contracts. I’ve always wanted to showcase African art and so I would like to continue highlighting how creative African’s are and really put African dance on the map. I’d like to collaborate with more with African artists and musicians – and to tour Africa!

Tavaziva is one of the UK’s leading professional, contemporary-African dance companies, led by Zimbabwean-born Artistic Director, Choreographer and Music Producer Bawren Tavaziva who established the company in 2004. Now a national touring company, supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation, Bawren Tavaziva has reached audiences in every corner of the UK.

In Tavaziva’s 15^th year, the company will embark on the creation of its new production BOY’S KHAYA, featuring seven exceptional dancers. With his distinctive African style that is highly original, inventive and thrilling to watch, this new work includes cutting-edge digital design and motion-capture technology, adding to the striking visual staging of BOY’S KHAYA.

The show will premiere and tour in spring 2020 and will be accompanied by an education and participation programme of workshops, masterclasses, residencies and talks.

“Looking back over the last 15 years, it’s amazing to take stock of all that we have achieved. Thousands of people have come in to contact with our work through performances, workshops, projects and commissions. I’m excited for BOY’S KHAYA and using technology to create a new experience for our audiences. I’m looking forward to what the next 15 years has in store!” Bawren Tavaziva

Tavaziva celebrates 15 years Press Release.

Tavaziva company Dancer Asmara Cammock is organising an event called “Help Me! I’m Creative” – a panel-led discussion, centred around helping creatives talk about mental health and the struggles faced when in pursuit of a creative career, as well as a fantastic networking opportunity!

Through panel discussion, a physiologists interactive presentation, networking, games and a Q&A the evening endeavours to provide release, refuel and renewel. The event is on 1st May from 7pm-10pm at Pop Brixton and intends to create open, positive and effective change through conversation.

Find more details here!

Tavaziva comes together with F.R.E.S.H Studios for a screening of excerpts of Izindava and a fascinating live interview with Bawren Tavaziva, 5pm on the 4th May at Fresh Ground as a part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF).

The event, led by Movement Psychotherapist Natasha Sackey, will include screened sections from Bawren’s work Izindava (2017-2018), a piece that explores and is based on traumatic childhood and religious fears in Bawren’s upbringing, and the redemptive power of dance. The event will progress to an open conversation between Natasha, Bawren and a panel of artists and choreographers that have explored trauma through dance and the cathartic journey they have been on. This insightful and moving event is a unique opportunity to unpick Bawren’s intricate choreography and learn about his incredible past.

F.R.E.S.H. Studios are hosting this event in association with Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD) and One Dance UK, supported by Wandsworth Arts Fringe through Wandsworth Grant Fund.

Get tickets for the event now! 

Tavaziva Workshops at WAF…why not experience Bawren’s choreography firsthand! You can also catch two brilliant Tavaziva workshops during WAF in collaboration with F.R.E.S.H Studios on Saturday 18 May. At 10am 12-18 year olds that want to develop their creativity, confidence and movement skills can try out Tavaziva’s unique choreographic style in a 45 minute taster workshop, great for those that have little or no dance experience. The taster will be followed by a Pro Class at 11am for dance students, graduates and professional dancers that would like to improve their technique, strength and stamina – be prepared for a highly energetic and physically challenging contemporary class. Book now to avoid disappointment! 

Professional Class is back not only this month, but all the way to November.

You are now able to book our classes well in advance so that you can stay organised and stay fit.

We would like to welcome our new Learning and Participation Co-ordinator Richard Pitt to the team.

Richard comes from a background in performance, choreography and rehearsal directing. He has worked as Event Coordinator for Nottinghill Carnival and more recently as programmer for Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD). We are very excited to have him on the team.

Read a short interview we had with Richard:

1. What are you looking forward to doing at Tavaziva?
   I hope to be able to learn more about the Company and the goals of the Company so that I can support the vision as much as possible. Tavaziva is already doing so much and reaching so many people, so I look forward to being able to go out and speak to existing partners and build new relationships where I can.
2. What do you love most about Tavaziva?
   Well, that’s an easy one. Bawren is such a dynamic artist. I just had the chance to observe him delivering a workshop and an audition; the way that he works is really inspiring and exciting. Also, having been part of the team for just 2 weeks I can also see that Bawren is lucky to have a really lovely and passionate team working hard behind the scenes to keep the machine running smoothly and ensuring that Bawren’s work reaches as many people as possible. All of this makes Tavaziva such a lovely place to work, and special thing to be a part of.
3. What made you want to work in a dance company?
   Dance has always been a major part of my life; it is definitely a passion of mine. Being able to support a dance company, dancers and choreographers is something that is important to me, and if we are able to share dance with as many people as possible it can only be a good thing.
4. Are there any fun facts about yourself?
   Hmmmm. I have jumped out of a plane twice. That was fun! I was lucky to spend time in Australia and New Zealand and while I was there it seemed like the right thing to do!

Tavaziva, Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Caius House Youth Centre invite 11-18 year olds to join this special project led by professional dance and music artists.

Participants will explore the process of creating, marketing and performing their own work which will be performed at RAD as a part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe on the 7th of May.

If you are interested in being part of this exciting project that takes place from the 8th to the 12th of April at Caius House Youth Centre, then register your interest.

For any inquires email us at getintouch@tavazivastg.wpengine.com or call us on 020 8237 7010.

A collection of photographers by Jevan Chowdhury are now on permanent display at Caius House Youth Centre; 2 Holman Rd, Battersea, London SW11 3RL.

Photo credit: Jevan Chowdhury

Tavaziva’s new work BOY’S KHAYA will premiere in early 2020 and we are on the look-out for new dancers to join the company for the creation and rehearsals that will happen in the later part of 2019. We will be holding 3 auditions in March 2019, one in Leeds and two in London. Click here for more details!

If you have at least 3 years of professional dance experience and want to join Tavaziva in the making of it’s next groundbreaking production, then please register your interest by clicking here and submitting your details. If you have any questions you can get in touch with us by emailing getintouch@tavazivastg.wpengine.com or calling 020 8237 7010.