ALL AFRICA DANCE CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL- CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

[KAREGWA MUCHIRI]

Time: December 9, 2009 to December 13, 2009
Location: KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER
Organized By: KAREGWA MUCHIRI AND PURPLE IMAGES PRODUCTIONS


Event Description:
Many African countries have been affected by conflicts leading to the the deaths of about five million people in the last fifteen years. Armed Conflicts in Sudan, Rwanda , Burundi, Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Liberia, Angola and Somalia have been the most publicized at the international level but inter-ethnic conflicts are the order of the day in most of the African countries, The result of these conflicts is bloodshed with millions of Africans been resettled from their homes.
Why dance Festival?
History and current experience shows that so deep are the pains of most of the conflicts experienced in Africa that the popular individualized and rationalistic approaches to healing and transformation simply lack the language and resources to solidly address the challenge of holistic peaceful transformation. “Arts approaches” provide an accessible language, compelling processes that affirm everyone’s creativity and, above all, an inclusive space that enables healing, genuine dialogue and transformation to happen particularly where the violent conflicts and pains are experienced by masses of people.

The festival will bring together over 1000 committed artistes-peace builders – including educators, dance artists, development workers, community animators and cultural activists – from Africa and the Diaspora who continue to apply various shades of dance arts approaches in their social change work. The one week intensive program of applied training, performances, exhibitions, and direct skills-building experience will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, between 9th to 13th December 2009. A select number of the participants will be awarded partial scholarships to attend the conference and festival
Various Artistic groups, producers, choreographers development workers, cultural activists and teachers from Africa and other parts of the world will participate in the festivals and workshops that will not only impart skills in dance for peace and development but will celebrate the use of dance as a tool for social change and development in Africa.

Technical Workshops will provide training in :

• Dance Choreography
• Movements and patterns creation
• Dance Drama/ Dance Theatre
• Dance Journalism
• Dance Production and presentation
• The role of Community Dance
• The language of dance
• Dance festival productions
• Mime Dance
• Story Development in dance

Call for Abstracts open till end of September 2009

Thematic Workshops will cover :

• The role of Indigenous dances in peace education
• Community Based Peace Education
• Indigenous Arts and Philosophy of Peace Storytelling in dance drama,
• Integrated Arts Approaches in Healing, Dialogue and Transformation
• Advocacy and Dialogue using Dance
• Facilitating Community Based Arts and Peace programs
• Training for Dance Choreographers and producers in Peace building
• Arts Approaches to Peace building & Development
• Forgiveness & Healing using Dance
• Dance for peace and conflict prevention and management
• Democratizing Africa using Dance
 Marketing the African Dance to the World

Registration fees
Delegates to register with USD 100

The payments will cater for festival registration, meals and materials. Delegates must also meet the costs of their travel and accommodation in Kenya.

For information about Kenya and accommodation requirements please visit: http://www.nairobihotel-link.com
Contact:
Karegwa Muchiri
Festival Director
All Africa International Dance Festival
Mbuchia House, 3rd Flr, West Wing, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
P.O BOX 58182 - 00200 Nairobi
Tel + 254-20-4450937
Cell: + 254-20-722 634947
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]
www.purpleimages.com