This weekend will be all about jiggling and mingling as a variety of dances will be show-cased at the National theatre in a fan packed annual Batalo East Dance festival.
Speaking to The Sunrise, Edriana Kabajungu Batalo East Media Relations Officer explained that it will be a blend of afro-modern Fusion of both traditional and modern dance styles that the country has ever witnessed before.
The event that will be held in the National Theatre auditorium and CICP will present various dance groups in rigorous dancing battles and a workshop.
This festival concludes another year of monthly workshops and regional dance exchanges with dancers from around East Africa as well as France, Sweden, Germany, Tanzania and the DRC. Saturday August 27th will start with dance eliminations in the styles of Afro House, Top Rock, Krump, New style Hip Hop, Style Yake and all style crew battles, along with showcases.
The 2016 Batalo East Dance festival is aimed at reminding the youth of their roots through vast dance styles that will include Ekitagururo, Muwogola, Runyege, Salsa, hip-hop, ballerina among others.
“Artists in Uganda these days have lost the connection to their cultural roots. This event reminds today’s youth to embrace where they come from, like the farmer dance move in house can be found in Ekitagururo from Western Uganda. There’s pride in that.” Keyshia Drichiru, Batalo East Programmes Coordinator.
About Batalo East Dance Fest
Batalo East is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 in Uganda, which brings traditional and urban dances together to encourage young people to incorporate traditional African art forms into their lives and artistry. Batalo works towards preserving authentic traditional art forms, promoting, educating and developing young people as socially conscious global citizens. It is composed of members from Tabu Flo Dance Company, Break-dance Project Uganda and other dance organizations. Batalo East offers workshops” Equations” at National Theatre every last Saturday of the month.
