Experience the sights and sounds of the Nh!oma San
Short Documentary Film on the San/Bushmen. In April 2007 Kiahkeya shot a short documentary on the former nomadic Nh!oma San/Bushmen people in North east Namibia. Spending one week with the various encampments within the Nyae Nyae conservancy, a sort of satellite government for the San by the San people, whom the director Kathi von Koerber had visited three years prior (see below for more info or look at the article Tribal Journeys). The focus of the documentary is their ancient music and dance, and to provide them with the opportunity to voice themselves as a minority within Namibia. Many hours of ceremony and healing trance music were recorded, along with interviews that were done with elders on topics about their ancient heritage and survival knowledge. We wanted to know how this knowledge was to integrate into the globalized world and within their communities, as the first people who had inhabited southern Africa. As hunter and gatherers, who have been widely prohibited to do so throughout southern Africa, the film brings awareness to the simplistic lifestyle they try to continue to live and cherish. Upon completion of the film at the end of 2007, a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Nh!oma San/Bushmen community funding to maintain their tribal culture and wisdom, and the dissemination thereof.
With the support of Peter-Hain Uaakiza Kazapua, we were able to travel deep into the San communities, more info on his cross cultural travel ways in Namibia, please visit: www.uakii.com
As part of a Kiahkeya cross-cultural initiative, the performance of 'Echo in the Dark' premiered the African continent at the Harare International Arts Festival, Zimbabwe this May. The HIFA festival being a light on the horizon for the country, where once a year over 200 International artists, dance troops and musicians are invited to share the spirit of artistic expression. The piece 'Echo in the Dark', an Afro-Butoh multi-media dance piece by Kathi von Koerber and Kali Z. Fasteau, incorporates the rites and dances of the tribal San/Bushmen in Namibia, and in contrast through the Japanese Improvisational Butoh dance, addresses the issues of self-determination. This presentation and the Improvisational Butoh dance workshop came across powerfully and successfully in a land that has been enduring immense struggle, and it's people impoverished.
For Kathi, it has been a dream come true to perform Afro-Butoh in Africa.
Keasha KvK and the Angel Orensanz Foundation present
(A Zulu term; gathering for an important matter) Friday, June 25th, 2004
7-11:30 fun cocktails and food treats. 172 Norfolk street, at the Angel Orensanz Synagogue
A celebration of dance beyond physical limitations, Admission, $10, $5 after 10:00 p.m.
Art exhibit of photographs and paintings by Kaesha KvK, Rebecca Sommer,  Schedule of Events
7:30-7:50
7:50-8:00
8:00-8:15
8:15-8:30
8:30
Lighting by Bruce Benedict Video tech by Holly Daggers (FMT)
Tribal Journeys - Movements of Travel
The Title is inspired by African Mbinji-Tange Mufalo kasisi.org
10:00
"Sound energy" dance music till 11:30; dance earth recordings by Rebecca Sommer.
New York, NY — The Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts & Kaesha KvK are pleased to present INDABA, an evening of international dance, music, and visual art. The event will comprise the work of outstanding international artists, with a premier performance by dancer/choreographer Kaesha KvK and musician Kali Z. Fasteau, followed by presentations by indigenous Philippine ensemble Kinding Sindaw and Maori vocalist Tama Waipara. Short films by Rebecca Sommer will be screened, and an exhibition of photographs and paintings by Kaesha KvK, Rebecca Sommer, Dani Pendino, Sequier Schubert, and Barbara James Snyder.
Dancer-choreographer Kaesha KvK (Kathi von Koerber) will present Echo in the Dark an improvisational multi-media Afro-Butoh dance performance with musical accompaniment by renowned world-music composer and instrumentalist Kali Z. Fasteau. It is 60 minutes in length,and will start at 8:30. This integrative performance includes a wide range of global influences, focusing primarily on the melding of Japanese Butoh and tribal African dance. Inspired by her ongoing study of Japanese Butoh, which brings traditional Japanese influences into a post-World War II context, and by her upbringing and travels in southern Africa, Kaesha KvK's improvisational performance will cross the boundaries of world dance genres to explore the universality of intuitive movement. The piece will include a projected media montage of imagery that she gathered in visiting the Bushmen (San tribe) in Namibia, southern Africa.
Visual Artist Bios:
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Film screening "Womens Wishes for the Earth" by Rebecca Sommer.
Kinding Sindaw is a NY Based dance music & martial arts ensemble. Presenting Lemlunay (Land of Fire) based on the epic myth of the T'boli indigenous peoples of the southern Philippines.
