As part of the upcoming trip to Masaka, I shall be creating what I call a 'Festival Spectacle'. This theatrical dance performance will be presented to the town of Mas
aka on Friday on the school grounds...and yes all 1,000+ pupils of Mbiriizi Primary School will participate in the spectacle!
Now Sylvia keeps telling me how talented the pupils are and how good they dance, so you can imagine that I am very excited and can hardly wait to start working with the kids. However, producing this event takes a lot of preparation, so my work has already started.
Sylvia asked me to focus on the theme "Uganda - America", celebrating both culture and this is why I started this discussion. It would be great if could make your personal suggestions of what you think I should consider including in my artistic process.
To start with America these are some of my first thoughts:
- Dance of the Bald Eagle (this could have a counter part dance of Crested Crane Bird)
- Cinema - Hollywood: Charley Chaplin
- Having a Parade ( the American culture of Parades as part of your festivals is special)
- American Folk Dance... Line Dancing
The concept of the Finale is to have a line dance that is a fusion between American Line Dancing and Uganda Folk Dance.
Any suggestions for music or tunes that I should consider for the Festival Spectacle, that are iconic for American culture?
Any other elements of American culture that should be celebrated in the performance?
I welcome any kind of input!
Cheers,
Jeroen
www.jmef.com