What was meant to be the finale of a powerful tribute to South Africa’s 30 years of democracy at the Artscape on Saturday was abruptly cancelled after ‘an unforeseen and deeply concerning incident’ occurred on Friday night, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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The highly-anticipated concert Four Frames of Freedom was forced to cancel its Saturday performances after the organisers’ company vehicle was hijacked the night before.
‘Due to an unforeseen and deeply concerning incident involving the hijacking of our company vehicle last night, the 2pm and 7pm performances of Four Frames of Freedom scheduled for [Saturday, 16 November] have been cancelled,’ announced Jazzart in a statement on Facebook.
According to the company, while none of the dancers were injured during the incident, the driver sustained an injury and is receiving medical attention.
Jazzart added that it was for the safety and well-being of its members that the performances had to be cancelled.
‘The safety and well-being of all our team members is our top priority, and we are focusing on providing them with the necessary support at this time,’ continued the statement.
‘We sincerely apologise to our patrons and audience members for any inconvenience this may [have caused].’
On Saturday, the dance company’s latest production was set to showcase a captivating mixed bill of three works by renowned choreographers which toured to Durban, Johannesburg, Rwanda and Pakistan, and a new piece, all exploring freedom through movement, honouring SA’s 30 years of democracy through dance and paying homage to SA’s youth.
Jazzart concluded its statement by directing ticket holders to Webtickets or Artscape Dial-A-Seat for refund inquiries.
Four Frames of Freedom comes after the oldest African contemporary dance company in South Africa celebrated its 50th anniversary with ENCORE earlier this year. The dance production celebrated the local dance legends and extraordinary talent that graced Jazzart’s stage and shaped the company’s legacy over the past five years.
Since its establishment in 1973, Jazzart has been at the forefront of contemporary dance in South Africa. The company not only showcases skill and creativity but also serves as a nurturing ground for emerging artists, many of whom have become influential figures in the global dance community.
The dance company’s performances are renowned for their emotive power and captivating expression of the human experience.