Birmingham-based professional dance company, ACE dance and music, are excited to announce dates for the UK tour of their thought provoking and powerful dance production, MANA: The Power Within. The double bill of exceptional dance, directed by ACE dance and music’s Creative Director, Gail Parmel, explores the deep and universal spirit of MANA, in two 30 minute dance pieces with movement styles drawing from Afro-fusion and Martial Arts combined with an essence of Flamenco and Ballet.
MANA: The Power Within will be performed on Thursday, 1st October at The Patrick Centre in Birmingham before moving onto performances in Gloucester at the Strike A Light Festival on Thursday, 8th October and at Deda Derby on Thursday, 15th October. These dates are the only opportunity to experience the innovative dance production here in the UK before ACE dance and music take the show across international waters.
A Thousand Shepherds is the first segment of the dance double-bill featuring choreography by Jose Agudo. Agudo created this visual celebration of discipline, commitment and dedication after being inspired by two months spent in a monastery in India. The piece explores ‘mana’ as the energy that drives people to give up everything that they know to follow the path of their faith or passion.
The second part of the production, MANA, is where South African choreographer Vincent Mantose takes the audience back to ancient times, evoking the spirit and earthy ambience of African dance and Shamanic traditions. Rooted heavily in Mantsoe’s Sangoma traditions, the atmosphere is powerful, emotive and deeply spiritual.
Director, Gail Parmel, said: “I'm really pleased that Birmingham audiences will have another opportunity to see MANA and that we are providing the focus for Black History Month programming for DanceXchange. The MANA programme includes a piece of work by one of South Africa’s leading choreographers; yet few people have an opportunity to see his work in Europe. ”
“We’re thrilled to be taking MANA to the Strike A Light Festival in Gloucester, before moving to Derby where we will perform at Déda, - Derby’s specialist Dance Centre.
“With MANA we wanted to create a piece that triggers emotion from the start, making the audience think beyond what is reality, and to look deep within themselves.
“Mana is an amazing dance production with something in it for everyone. Outstanding dancing, exceptional choreography, exquisite lighting and mesmerising music.
“The UK tour will allow us to reach new audiences of all ages who will enjoy this fantastic experience – we know they will be left wanting more!”
MANA: The Power Within premiered in November 2014 at The Place in London and has toured extensively across the UK and in Europe. ACE dance and music which founded in 1996, is the professional dance company is based at The Link Dance Space in Digbeth, Birmingham’s thriving creative community. This is an exciting time for ACE dance and music who have also recently launched a brand new multi-purpose dance studio, ACE Space, which has already attracted high profile names, including Lady Smith Black Mambazo.
UK Tour Dates for MANA: The Power Within
Birmingham Performance:
1st October 8.00pm The Patrick Centre
Gloucester Performance:
8th October 8.00pm Strike A light Festival Gloucester
www.strikealightfestival.org.uk
Derby Performance:
15th October 7.30pm Deda Derby
