Bass Concert Hall (
Experience South African star Gregory Maqoma’s choreographic genius in Austin for the first time. His company Vuyani Dance Theatre performs an innovative, visually stunning full-length work that brings literature to life, drawing inspiration from the character Toloki in South African author Zakes Mda’s novel Cion, and music from French composer Maurice Ravel’s Boléro. It’s a universal story encompassing the past and the present that champions our ability to band together to share the burden of grief. Set in a graveyard with the persistent cries of people in mourning and the a cappella music of Isicathamiya singers in the background, the performance vividly elicits emotions associated with the loss of life. Ultimately, Maqoma has created a powerful requiem that seeks to stand against the darkness of death and bring audiences hope for humanity.
Running time: 1 hour; no intermission
Tue, Apr 18 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
George Washington Carver Museum
1165 Angelina Street
Austin, Texas 78702
Facilitated by Dr. Mandisa Haarhoff, Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Literature at The Pennsylvania State University
Reception to follow
Reserve a spot for this free event.
Pre-Show Discussion
6:45 p.m. on Level 6 of Bass Concert Hall
"Toloki and Black Everyday Dying"
Dr. Mandisa Haarhoff, Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Literature at The Pennsylvania State University
Post-Show Q&A
Immediately after performance, featuring members of Vuyani Dance Theatre
Moderated by Dr. Jennifer Wilks, Director of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies
A haunting South African mixture of choreography and voice.
– The New York Times
Presented in association with Austin Opera as part of Opera ATX
Media Sponsor: Austin PBS
Campus and community engagement for Vuyani Dance Theatre: Embracing Global Perspectives Through the Arts is generously provided by the Texas Global Internationalization Event Fund.
Generous support provided, in part, by the Applied Materials Foundation.
