dance Immersion presents Kenya’s Fernando Anuang’a in his internationally-renowned contemporary Maasaï dance solo, TRADITIONAL FUTURE, in North America for the first time!

With this work Fernando explores: How do we evolve tradition toward modernity without obliterating its tracks, without betraying one’s roots?

Fernando Anuang’a is an autodidact artist (self-taught dancer/choreographer) from Kenya. He is supported and inspired by Kenyan Maasaï songs, his ancestral memories, and his community’s vocal rhythmic power for his vocabulary. He is driven by a will to take tradition into the future, and continuously researches ways for Maasaï dance to live fully in this era. While tourists have exploited the image of the Maasaï jump tradition, Fernando’s practice instead infuses this cultural vertical energy with evolving Maasaï undulation gestures. For his third solo, TRADITIONAL FUTURE, he stays loyal to the Moran (Maasaï warrior) tradition as a symbolic root, while finding a deeper energy and more liberating form of self-expression to bring the tradition into the future.

This work is presented as part of dance Immersion’s 30th Anniversary Season! The performance will be accompanied by an opening night pre-show reception, and artist talks following both performances.

 

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Workshops – Dance with Fernando!

Learn Contemporary Maasaï dance with Kenya’s Fernando Anuang’a.

Workshop Location: Canada’s National Ballet School – Studio 4D – 400 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G6

Master Class for Advanced Dancers 

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

1:00 – 4:00pm [3 hours]

$30

Beginner/Open Level Class

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

7:00 – 9:00pm [2 hours]

$20

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP!

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Biography

Fernando Anuang’a began his dance career in 1990. A self-taught and atypical performer, he was deeply inspired by Maasaï traditional dance and voice to begin his artistic journey. He was formerly a member of the renowned Maasaï dancers “RAREWATTS” in Kenya. On many occasions, he worked with the African Heritage Company in Kenya and abroad. Thus far, his performance and choreographic work has taken him to countries in Africa, Europe and Asia – and now, for the first time, he will perform in the Americas with the dance Immersion Toronto premiere of “Traditional Future”. “Traditional Future” is one of four works choreographed by Fernando, who also has a short film entitled “Keeping Time” to his credit. “Traditional Future” was created at Wayne MacGregor’s Studio Akili and was produced by renowned fashion designer Pierre Cardin. The premiere performance was staged at Musée du Quai Branly in Paris and Espace Cardin, in 2011. Through all of his works, Fernando works toward ensuring traditional dance continues to be part of the evolution of life.

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Traditional Future Credits

Original Creation Residency and Production: Akili studio/ Wayne McGregor and Pierre Cardin

Performer, Choreographer & Soundscape Designer: Fernando Anuang’a

Music: Traditional Maasaï vocals with contemporary soundscape

Toronto Presentation: dance Immersion

Production Manager: Charissa Wilcox

Stage Manager/Lighting & Sound: Patricia Bonzi

Technical Crew & Box Office: The Theatre Centre