euro-scene Leipzig’s new format at Schaubühne Lindenfels on 11 + 12 November 2022
UBUNTU CONNECTION, the new format of euro-scene, is a competition that focuses on togetherness instead of opposition. 16 artists from dance and new circus perform with and for each other on stage. In the end, a jury decides who has used the power and art of togetherness most impressively. 8 places were curated by the Berlin hip-hop dance theatre collective “Somɔgɔ”, the other 8 places were awarded by open call.
Here is a brief introduction to the eight participants curated by “Somɔgɔ”:
Aaliyah Thanisha began working as a dancer, performer and model during her school years. The young talent was particularly taken with subcultural dances and already attracted attention as one of the youngest hip-hop talents in the city. Later, she became involved in the Berlin dancehall scene, where she also works as a DJ. In this way, she combines her Jamaican roots with her love of dance. She is part of the DJane collective “Pretty Gang”, whose aim is to integrate women, especially BIPOC* women from the Caribbean and African diaspora, into the German dancehall scene.
Raha Nejad started dancing at the young age of five and discovered her passion in Hip Hop Dance, Latin & Jazz Funk. Since then, she has performed on stage with artists such as Katy Perry, Pink and in Beyoncé’s opening act. The talent of the German-Persian dancer is expressed in particular through the variety of dance styles. She refines and expands it at battles and in theatre productions. In her piece “PERSIAN HAIR” with choreographic development by Christoph Winkler, she is also successful as a soloist.
Liam Wustrack studied stage dance at Etage Berlin and Pro Stage Berlin. As a dancer he gained stage experience with the Oxymeron Dance Company, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, at the T-Werk Potsdam and at the Bewegend anders Festival. He can also be seen regularly at various national and international breakdance battles.
Born in Brooklyn, Michele Frances Clark graduated as a visual artist from the Maryland Institute College of Art and then perfected her skills with the National Chinese Circus Troupe in China. She pioneered an original hula-hoop style that captured the soul of audiences and brought her to the famed Festival du Cirque de Demain. Today she works alternately with BASE Berlin, GOP Varieté and Cirque du Soleil.
Robozeeis a world-renowned artist in dance and improvisation and is one of the best popping dancers. He has won numerous competitions throughout his career, including the BOTY Popping Battle and the Funkin Styles World Team Battle. He has also performed in various dance theatre productions throughout Europe.
Toan Le sees himself as a cosmopolitan with roots in Laos & Vietnam and new roots in his home country Germany. Since 2015, he has been the artistic director of the interdisciplinary performance company The Funky Monkeys, which combines urban dance and contemporary circus. In addition to performing, he is active in the urban dance scene and takes part in advanced training and so-called “battles”.
Jade Lee Petersen is a so-called “snake acrobat” who fascinates with his seemingly infinitely flexible body. The circus artist captivates the audience with an impressive arrangement of flexibility and strength in a very androgynous way and wants to take the audience on a journey with every performance.
Wilfried Ebongue, a French dancer with Cameroonian roots, specialises in a mix of power moves, flexibility and experimentation. He represents a new generation of urban dancers and uses his creativity to develop innovative dance styles. He has danced with entertainment and theatre dance groups such as Flying Steps, S’Poart and Accrorap. Most recently, he has choreographed a dance and music piece in collaboration with the Elbland Philharmonie Sachsen.
UBUNTU CONNECTION | Fri 11. + Sat 12. November | 21:30 until 23:30 | Schaubühne Lindenfels
Tickets and more info on UBUNTU CONNECTION, curated and hosted by Raphael Moussa Hillebrand, at UBUNTU CONNECTION.
