Tavaziva’s short film Tavaziva Ten by Alfred George Bailey is to be included in a FLUX Moving Image | Film Oxford screening at Modern Art Oxford on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July, supporting headline dance film MORTELLE – a new short moving image film by former Tavaziva dancer and choreographer Anna Watkins, filmmaker Nicola Josse and sound artist Nicholas O’Brien. Tavaziva Ten, created to mark Tavaziva’s 10th anniversary, will be shown alongside other creative dance films by established artists Jack Thomson, P/IN the Bucket Collective and Jordan James Bridge, also a former Tavaziva dancer. The screenings are free and take place between 5-6pm on Saturday 20 July and 11am-3pm on Sunday 21 July.
Tavaziva is seeking a Part-time Administrator (2 days per week)
The Administrator and the Company Manager are the first point of contact for all enquiries and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Company and its operations, the logistics of the touring productions and the planned programmes and activities.
For more details on the role and how to apply please click here to download the Job Pack.
Appointment: Part-time, 2 days per week
Salary: Sliding scale depending on experience £24,000-£26,500pa pro rata
Location: bbodance, Ensign House, Battersea Reach Juniper Drive, London SW18 1TA
Deadline: 16 July 2019
Interview dates: 18 & 23 July 2019
Start date: From mid-August 2019
Tavaziva’s vision is to make original contemporary African choreography that excites, transforms and enriches people’s experience of dance. Through performance, training, learning and participation, we aim to share a culture of creative exchange, opportunity, excellence and innovation.
Tavaziva actively encourages people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We are particularly keen to hear from people of colour and candidates who self-identify as disabled.
Join Bawren Tavaziva at Greenwich Dance, the first Tuesday of every month until November. Tavaziva workshops offer a real insight into the way Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva choreographs, exploring his bold, dynamic and original approach that synthesises Ballet, Contemporary and African dance. Prepare for a physically demanding but highly enjoyable experience that will challenge and expand participants physical, creative and technical dance range.
Suitable for advanced degree students, recent graduates and professionals.
Click here for Greenwich Dance website and further information.
2 July, 3 September, 1 October & 5 November 11:00-13:30
£20 per class
Location: Charlton House, Charlton Road, Charlton, London SE7 8RE
Click here to book classes individually online
For more information:
getintouch@tavazivastg.wpengine.com
020 7237 7010
or info@greenwichdance.org.uk
020 8293 9741
Learn Bawren’s unique style that synthesises ballet, contemporary, and African dance. The highly energetic and physically challenging contemporary class will raise your fitness levels as well as improve technique, strength, and stamina. Classes take place at the gorgeous bbodance studios in Battersea, where Tavaziva are based – studio is open from 10.30am.
Upcoming dates (generally 11am-12.30pm although times may vary):
Tuesday 16 July
Tuesday 13 August
Tuesday 27 August
Tuesday 17 September
Tuesday 29 October
Friday 15 November
Click here to book your place at class today!
Congratulations to former Tavaziva dancer Carmine De Amicis and current dancer Harriet Waghorn, co-Artistic Directors of Edifice Dance Theatre for their sell out show of SALOMÉ – in collaboration with the Hastings Philharmonic Ensemble. A dark exploration of divine love, rejection, lust and death, this original production is based on the themes and characters of Oscar Wilde’s Salomé. Taking place in unique spaces, Salomé is an unforgettable up-close experience with interaction of musicians and a dynamic and sensuous hybrid of Latin, Ballroom and contemporary dance. It is performed to a specially composed score by Phillip O’Meara played live by the Hastings Philharmonic Ensemble. Watch a trailer of the work here!
Catch it live for the remaining shows:
Sunday 23rd June 2019 at 5:00pm & 7:30 – The Cockpit
Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH Bookings: £16/£14 020 7258 2925
www.thecockpit.org.uk
Thursday 27th June 2019 at 8pm – Bridgepoint
Rock Channel via St. Margaret’s Terrace, Rye TN31 7DE 01424 451111
www.hastingsphilharmonic.com
Saturday 29th- Sunday 30th June 2019 at 7:30 – St Mary In The Castle
7 Pelham Crescent, Hastings TN34 3AF 01424 451111
www.hastingsphilharmonic.com
“an audacious, thrilling, brilliant, emotion-packed technically perfect and riveting evening” Authentic Blue, 29 May 2019
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 15th 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!