Vincent Mantsoe, the award-winning South African dancer and choreographer, shares the stage with an international ensemble of dancers in the West Coast premiere of Men-Jaro. Drawing upon the unique heritage of each performer, Men-Jaro explores relationships between cultures and, in particular, dance forms, infusing contemporary dance with traditional tribal movement, ritual, and music. With sinuous delicacy, the ensemble performs solos, duets, and trios to music by composer Anthony Caplan, performed live by the African Music Workshop Ensemble—all playing indigenous, South African instruments.
“Mantsoe is an artist of fierce uniqueness... He combines entertainment, history, and spirituality with an earth-shaking expressiveness that audiences find irresistible.” —Dance Magazine
POST-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION