World renowned Nigerian choreographer and dance expert, Qudus Onikeku, is set for a world premiere of his latest contemporary dance production, entitled, “We Almost Lost It”, after a decade of successful career in Paris, France.
The dance production, which is scheduled to premiere in Berlin, from 17th-20th June, will be followed by a Lagos premiere on 24th June at Freedom Park, as part of the Lagos Live Arts Festival; the production premieres at the prestigious National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on 26th June; while a Paris premiere is scheduled for 3rd November, 2016.
According to a press release from QDancerCenter, Lagos, dated 10th June, 2016 and made available to NICO News, Qudus Onikeku, a graduate of The National Higher School of Circus Arts, France, who is the Artistic Director and Founder of YK Projects, Paris and the QDancerCenter, has for close to two decades now, constantly pushed the limits of dance beyond the shores of Africa, as he is part of the new generation of international creators, whose works are redefining and refining African cultures and philosophy.
Born and raised in Lagos, Qudus Onikeku is known globally, for his solo works, writings and research projects. He was awarded “Dancer of the year” by the future awards in Nigeria in 2009, while in October 2010, his solo piece titled “My Exile is in my head” won “the best solo performance” during the Africa-wide dance encounters, “Danse l’Afrique Danse” in Bamako, Mali, and the 2012 “New Choreographic Talent” in France. He is a TED global fellow nominee and visiting professor to the University of California-Davis.
“We Almost Forgot”, Onikeku’s latest creation, features on stage six dancers and one actress, all of varied backgrounds and identities (Nigeria, Gabon, Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar and France).
Through the use of high energy movements, storytelling, singing and intricate music, the performance aims at exploring memory and amnesia, and what has the past got to offer the present beyond history.
The idea is to make a fiction of witness accounts, of stories of individuals who have witnessed wars and crises, and to evoke the capacity of our bodies to also keep such memories of trauma.
It is interesting to note that, the Abuja premiere at the National Universities Commission (NUC) promises to be more than just viewing the performance, as it will be followed by a discussion session, where the audience will have the opportunity to interact with the artists and express their thoughts on contemporary dance and its progression in Nigeria and the world over.
According to the release, interested persons can contact the organisers via info@qdancecenter.com or call +234-812-023-5336 for information on ticket sales and partnership.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja