Sat. 23rd Aug, 8pm
The !gubi Family (pronounced with a tongue click) consists of 6 San Bushmen musicians, ranging in age from 18 to 80, and are the keepers of a vanishing tradition of San Musical Culture from the Kalahari Desert, Namibia. The San are the originators of trance dance and their music is specifically designed to evoke an altered state of consciousness through the rhythms and beats, They traditionally play the mouthbow, the mbira and the zuma (four-stringed instrument) Recently, the !gubis have worked with renowned UK artist, Banco De Gaia, receiving rapturous reviews from London audiences. As a prelude to their performance in the Universal Hall the !gubi family will hold a participatory trance dance around a fire on the dancing green behind the Hall. This is a unique opportunity to participate in an ancient form of tribal dance that has been part of the ceremonial life of Africa for thousands of years. Some will learn the chants and sit round the fire whilst others join in this healing dance. “When I dance,” the San say “my ancestors enter my body and give me the power to see what makes people sick.”
£9/£7
(There will also be a participatory outdoor dance on Fri 22nd Aug - there are no advance tickets for this event but unrestricted numbers on the night so everyone who wants to will be able to attend. £8/£6).