FNB Dance Umbrella 2010, presented by First National Bank in association with the National Arts Council and The Market Theatre will run from 27 February to 14 March.
There will be performances at various Johannesburg theatres: the Wits Theatre in Braamfontein, the UJ Centre for the Arts in Auckland Park, and The Dance Factory, The Market Theatre and the Barney Simon theatre in Newtown.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 27 & 28, the festival opens with the Stepping Stones 1 and 2 at the Wits Theatre, from 10:00 onwards. All the Stepping Stone stalwarts such as Dr Ranjit Lalloo’s Jhankhaar School of Dance from Lenasia, Linda Lee Mhlongo and many others form part of this jam-packed two-day programme. Entrance is Free.
The FNB Dance Umbrella will have a grand opening with a once-off programme in a marquee on the parking area in front of The Dance Space, Newtown on Monday 1 March from 19:00. A programme of excerpts from FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 commissioned works will be presented and will the set the mood for two weeks of contemporary dance at its best. Also included in the programme will be the presentation the Pick of the Stepping Stones Awards, funded this year by the National Arts Council. Limited seating is available and tickets will be sold at the door.
The FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 has been made possible with assistance from First National Bank and the National Arts Council. Other partners include The Market Theatre; The French Institute of South Africa; the French Embassy in South Africa, Culturesfrance; Business and Arts South Africa; The Goethe-Institute of Johannesburg; The British Council; and Media partners: Citizen CitiVibe, ClassicFeel Magazine and Artslink.co.za.
Tickets for the FNB Dance Umbrella are available at the door or can be booked at Computicket – 083 915 8000 and prices range from R60 to R100. Concessions/block bookings and subscription tickets are available. Booking opens in February 2010.
For further information please contact 011 492 0709/2033 or e-mail danceumbrella@artslink.co.za. The FNB Dance Umbrella 2010 hot-line for updates and programme schedules is 072 703 9332. Visit www.artslink.co.za/arts
