Kiss me much

Michel Kelemenis’ first encounter with Moving into dance Mophatong dates to 1994. The exchanges and close complicity with Vincent Sekwati Koko Mantsoe lasted until the year 2000 for the presentation of Traduction simultanée at the festival Dance Umbrella of Johannesburg.

Homecoming 

My stay is marked by the classes I give to the group of young dancers of Moving into Dance Mophatong: they welcome them with great enthusiasm. The organic nature of the training program I developed over many years, released from any question of style, allows everyone to find his or her own path... 
Frequent questions testify to the real necessity of encountering new methods. In the company founded 30 years ago by Sylvia Glasser, yesterday’s dancers have become today’s executives, choreographers, artistic leaders, administrators or teachers. 
It is with great excitement that we reunite for the 30th anniversary gala.

After two weeks of classes, it is decided to pass on an adaptation of a flagship work of Kelemenis & cie to 6 young dancers with the title Besame mucho (Kiss me much). Its premiere is programmed in 2009 for that year’s FNB Dance Umbrella.

FNB Dance Umbrella: a festival of discoveries

Known and much anticipated for being a vehicle of discovery, of hosting world premieres, and opening minds to foreign creations, the festival Dance Umbrella of Johannesburg has for the past 20 years convened numerous artists from the African continent and promotes the discovery of the most current South African creation.

April 2008 Study mission
 
November/December 2008 and March 2009 transmission/adaptation 
9 & 10 March 2009 FNB Dance Umbrella, Johannesburg Viiiiite / Besame mucho (Kiss me much) 

With Tsogo Tshephe, Thembekile Setiabi, Faith Maseko, Muzi Shili, Fana Tshabalala, Itumeleng Hlapane.

Michel Kelemenis is assisted by Caroline Blanc with whom he interprets the duet Viiiiite that opens the two performances.