Know Before You Go

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.

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.