Entertainment / Local
Bulawayo dancing queens head to Russia
31 May 2013 at 03:32hrs | Views
BULAWAYO dancing queens, Intombi Zomqangala, who scooped the Best Carnival group award at the just- ended Zimbabwe International Carnival, are gearing to take part in yet another festival.
The group pocketed a cash prize of $5 000 and a shield at the debut carnival held in Harare.
The all-female ensemble is set to perform at the White Night Festival in Perm, Russia.
Artistic co-coordinator, founder and director of the group, Sandra Ndebele, said eight girls would represent the country at the international fete.
"The girls are leaving the country on Sunday for a month-long tour.
"They will also conduct workshops in drumming and theatre," said Ndebele.
The group will be showcasing the play Bhowesa Nkazana (You Go Girl), a highly energetic dance musical.
The production traces the development of a girl from the days when roles were designated according to gender.
Through music, song, dance and drumming that traditional period is explored and presented with its rich cultural aspects while highlighting the lives of young girls.
Different Ndebele, Shona, Venda and Chichewa dances are performed in order to capture the spirit of the era.
The show brings out the mentoring aspect of African society where older girls guide and look after the younger ones.
Through this, Intombi Zomqangala reinforce the need for positive peers who can look out for each other.
Meanwhile, Ndebele said she was impressed with the group's performance at the recently held carnival and expressed confidence that it would do its best in Russia.
"It was such a great honour that our girls won at the carnival, there were so many groups from across Zimbabwe and winning an award means a lot to us," she said.
The popular dancer will not be travelling with the girls as she says she has other commitments in the country.
Ndebele said for winning the award, her group has been selected to welcome Vice President Joice Mujuru when she comes to Bulawayo for the official opening of the Bulawayo Carnival to be held in July.
The group pocketed a cash prize of $5 000 and a shield at the debut carnival held in Harare.
The all-female ensemble is set to perform at the White Night Festival in Perm, Russia.
Artistic co-coordinator, founder and director of the group, Sandra Ndebele, said eight girls would represent the country at the international fete.
"The girls are leaving the country on Sunday for a month-long tour.
"They will also conduct workshops in drumming and theatre," said Ndebele.
The group will be showcasing the play Bhowesa Nkazana (You Go Girl), a highly energetic dance musical.
The production traces the development of a girl from the days when roles were designated according to gender.
Through music, song, dance and drumming that traditional period is explored and presented with its rich cultural aspects while highlighting the lives of young girls.
Different Ndebele, Shona, Venda and Chichewa dances are performed in order to capture the spirit of the era.
The show brings out the mentoring aspect of African society where older girls guide and look after the younger ones.
Through this, Intombi Zomqangala reinforce the need for positive peers who can look out for each other.
Meanwhile, Ndebele said she was impressed with the group's performance at the recently held carnival and expressed confidence that it would do its best in Russia.
"It was such a great honour that our girls won at the carnival, there were so many groups from across Zimbabwe and winning an award means a lot to us," she said.
The popular dancer will not be travelling with the girls as she says she has other commitments in the country.
Ndebele said for winning the award, her group has been selected to welcome Vice President Joice Mujuru when she comes to Bulawayo for the official opening of the Bulawayo Carnival to be held in July.
Source - chronicle
