The company's combination of high-energy athleticism and authentic South African tribal dancing combined with rhythmic drumming and authentic costumes create the fierce demeanor of the warriors they are portraying. Wearing tribal headdress and stunning animal skin costumes, the dancers reenact the tribal dances and songs of the Zulu Kingdom and powerfully portray the history of this proud people through nearly two centuries of cultural adaptation, from colonialism to apartheid and beyond.
The company's signature blend of traditional African dance and contemporary styles is as fun for all ages as it is culturally enlightening. Their performance of Zulu Kingdom, a History of the Zulu Nation will feature selections from their repertoire including:, Impi, a Zulu war dance inspired by Chieftain Shaka Zulu; Gumboots,an exuberant step dance number with its origins in the social dances of the South African gold miners; Izigubu (Zulu drums) featuring musicians playing Zulu percussion; and a jaw dropping finale, Umgido (Celebration).
Soweto Street Beat is an Atlanta based company performing and presenting South African culture and arts programs. The company was founded in 1989 by Peter B. Ngcobo and Isabelle Doll Ngcobo, in the township of Soweto in the Republic of South Africa. The couple recruited dancers from the streets of Soweto, a place where poverty and extreme violence is commonplace. Soweto Street Beat provided educational opportunities for the youth through the arts.
Ngcobo explained that he began this group to help the young people improve their self esteem and complete their education. With the abolishment of apartheid, Soweto Street Beat became a cultural ambassador and established a legacy of feature performance opportunities. The group was the first professional black dance company to have performed extensively throughout South Africa, Europe, and the United States, and was awarded Best African Dance Group by the African Chamber of Commerce.
In 1992, Soweto Street Beat came to the United States as emissaries of South Africa to serve the diverse cultural needs of the Metropolitan Atlanta Community. Each year they return to Soweto in South Africa to find and sponsor two or three potential dancers to come with them to America on the tour. These students must also agree to be tutored and complete their high school education.
Soweto Street Beat will perform a private school show for students from the Nye Elementary School on Monday, March 14 from 10:30 to 11:15am at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center. Members of the company will lead a South African dance workshop for dancers of both Prazon and the Harrisburg Dance Conservatory at the Conservatory Studios on Monday, March 14 from 5:30 to 7pm. For information about this workshop, please call 780-2545.
Soweto Street Beat will perform on the Rose Lehrman Arts Center stage Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30pm. This program is appropriate for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $27 adults, $22 seniors and students and $12 for children age 12 and under. Box Office phone is 717-231-ROSE (7673). RLAC is online at Website below.