Dance theatre watch list: Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, Garage Dance Ensemble, NAF 2021

Dance theatre watch list: Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul), performed by Garage Dance Ensemble, premièring at NAF 2021

Garage Dance Ensemble in O’okiep [also spelled Okiep] is premièring Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul) on the Curated Programme at the vNAF 2021- online National Arts Festival. Garage is headed up by Alfred Hinkel and John Linden, in collaboration with an extraordinary team of creatives.

Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul) is going out as VOD – video-on-demand on the NAF Curated Programme. There are shows on the Curated and Fringe that are being live streamed. Gat is VOD. All you need to do is to click on link and book – R40 a ticket. Or you can buy a Festival Pass (R1000) and then click on any show from the Curated Programme. Right – so get a single ticket – Booking link: https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/gat-innie-grond-wond-in-my-siel-hole-in-the-ground-wound-in-my-soul/ to purchase a ticket. Or buy a Festival Pass and as mentioned above that will give you access to any show on the Curated Programme. Either way, Festival Pass or single, just click on link to access the film.

We must note that Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul) should not be confused with Garage Dance Ensemble’s award winning film, Die Dans Van My Heenkoms (The Dance of My Origin), a South African Dance Legacy-Bolero stories told by Alfred Hinkel. Die Dans premiered on NAF 2020- yes- a year ago- and is streaming on Quicket from July 17 to August 17, 2021. Here is the link to find out about the film: https://thecaperobyn.co.za/dance-film-online-screening-die-dans-van-my-heenkoms-bolero-stories-told-by-alfred-hinkel-july-aug-2021/ It is a stirring film. Purchase a ticket. Booking link: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/143012-die-dans-van-my-heenkoms/#/ The screening is a fundraiser to enable Garage to do its incredible work and to provide teaching aids to teachers who teach dance as a dance subject for matric. There are currently no funds available from the Department of Education and Garage is hoping to bring in moolah to facilitate the filming of master classes and other dance materials. That is the housekeeping out the way. Now, you know – two films by Garage on in July 2021- screening online – one on the NAF platform and one on Quicket. Heenkoms continues screening until August 17 on Quicket. The NAF Curated Programme ends July 31.

Let us talk about Garage’s new film, Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’ (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul). The project was conceived and directed by Garage Dance Ensemble’s Byron Klassen. It was filmed in O’okiep and Nababeep in the Northern Cape and features people from both communities “as spectators or in spontaneous dance performances.” The production mashes up oral history, “local knowledge, academic inquiry and artistic practice to tell the stories of post-mining towns in Namaqualand.” It is narrated by Janine Lange. Her PhD is titled: Storytelling and Memories of Structural Violence in the Northern Cape. There is a lot to unpack in there and that is what occurs in this film. Stories are “recounted and danced by Garage”. The production “encapsulates the spirit and complexities of the Namaqua people.” Narration is in Namaqua Afrikaans by actress Esme Marthinus who lives in the Northern Cape. The film also features” old-timer virtuoso from Matjieskloof “Oom Dollie” on his Blik Kitaar.” Sub-titles are in English will help those who cannot understand Namaqua Afrikaans but this is dance theatre and dance transcends language.

Gat innie Grond, Wond in My Siel’, (Hole in the Ground, Wound in my Soul) is high on my watch-list for NAF 2021. I see it as a companion piece to Die Dans Van My Heenkoms- which people are tending to tag as the Bolero film – as it tracks the trajectory of Alfred Hinkel’s seminal dance piece, Bolero and its journey over four decades in South Africa.  Both should be viewed – Gat on the NAF platform and Die Dans/Bolero is on Quicket. Booking links again, follow in box, below, as we know that many of us are losing track of time, date, day in Rona (by the way, Rona is Hindi for crying).