Clubbing with Introdans at JOMBA!’s 25th Anniversary
By Kholeka Ngcobo
Introdans’s “HubClub Special” made an inspired appearance at the JOMBA! festival as their shiny costumes and playful challenges to gender drew the audience’s attention. The upbeat and vibrant music throughout the programme, disco lights and the constant change of costume is more than enough to give any audience the ultimate club experience that caters for every unique individual. There are quite a number of different sections that make up the “HubClub Special” including solos, duets and trios which are all unified in their challenges to convention and their unique representations.
The “HubClub Special” celebrates the power of human uniqueness with a variety of dancers and choreographers who have different minds and different bodies all sharing the stage to bring the audience a thrilling experience that challenges the status quo. The uniqueness of the dancers’ bodies is at the core of the programme that is as entertaining as it is critical.
The dancers wore a variety of costumes, designed by Bas Koster, to suit their style, these ranged from shiny ‘club’ costumes to oversized hip-hop gear and a disco jumpsuit — like an actual human disco ball. These costumes add to the performance as they challenge expectations around which dance forms can be performed on stage — by bringing many popular and club dance styles into the work in its celebrations of humanity through its non-conventional approaches to dance and dancing bodies.
The section titled “Illusion” choreographed by Perry Gits featuring dancers Vincenzo Turiano and Debbie Ruijter really grabbed my attention. The celebration of two worlds coming together through the use of queer ballroom culture signified by the use of whacking and voguing and hip-hop culture with its popping and locking, really captivated me. The piece was “in your face” and unapologetic, with the costumes demanding as much attention as the dance — lime tops underneath oversized denim jackets and loose fitted textured jeans which outline an androgynous silhouette. I was also mesmerized by Turiano’s distinctive performance — dressed as a disco ball, in his mirrored-jumpsuit. His graceful movements oozed sensuality as the light reflecting off his costume enveloped me in space.
For an audience that enjoys upbeat, groovy, vibrant and club music; “HubClub Special” is definitely a go-to performance. Originally conceived for performance in actual night clubs, “HubClub Special” had me jamming to the quirky beats in my seat! It’s Entertainment galore as the dancers seduce, flirt, charm and challenge the audience in this layered work of identity exploration.
”HubClub Special” is a real triumph of uniqueness and a celebration of all of the colours of humanity. Consisting of 11 sections all woven together seamlessly, the work is both charming and sufficiently entertaining while also being layered with important questions about our humanity. The amount of work put into the dance is clearly evident as the dancers succeeded in absorbing the audience into their realm.
“HubClub Special” has only one more performance here in Durban, and it is at 14.30 this afternoon (2 September) at the Sneddon Theatre. Tickets are available via computicket — book now, don’t delay!
