AWARD-WINNING dance group Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble proved why they are one of the most sought-after traditional dance outfits on the globe after putting up a well-choreographed performance in Bulawayo last week to bid farewell to their local fans ahead of their tour of Europe.
A fairly large crowd braved the Wednesday chilly weather to witness the dance ensemble stage a scintillating performance at the Alliance Française de Bulawayo.
The choreography was a potpourri of music and dances from across Zimbabwe buoyed by the “fresh blood” co-opted to boost production with vibrant energy.
Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble left the country yesterday for a five-week European tour that will take them to France, Spain and Switzerland.
“The event we held today (Wednesday) was for our Bulawayo community to bid farewell to its sons and daughters,” said the group’s director Phibion Ncube.
“We saw it as important because we cannot travel without their blessings.
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“These are the people who raised us and I’m sure they really had a great time watching what we will present during our tour.”
Ncube said they will showcase Zimbabwean culture through music and dance.
“We have added in young talent with exciting energy,” he said.
“We added them because we felt that we needed to boost the production with young and vibrant energy.
“We added a talented drummer called Ernest Takudzwa Chihumbiri and Ntandoyenkosi Brilliant Sithole, a singer with an exceptional voice.
“We also added some new acts to our production, which are gumboot dance and acrobatics.”
Ncube said they would kick off their tour with performances in France, Spain for a week, and wrap up the visit in Switzerland.
Seventeen artistes will be on tour, including administrators.
This is the second time the group has travelled to Europe in the post Covid-19 era.
Ncube thanked Alliance Française de Bulawayo in partnership with Ambassade de France for supporting them ahead of the tour.