A Taste of Africa was something that you will remember that I was very much looking forward to! There was a packed house of families that had come along to dance, sing and clap loudly... Everything that I hoped the concert would be, it so completely was! The opening act was a rhythmic dance that used empty cans of drink as both the Percussion section AND probs in the dance - very cool!
Next there was the African version of Fred Dagg (Apologies for the mental pictures currently circulating your head right now)... I only draw the analogy as the dance involved lots of energy and 8 or so guys dancing and slapping their gumboots. It was kind of like Kapa Hake, but with Gumboots... if the Springboks are ever looking to counter the Haka with a dance of their own, I would highly suggest they at least give the gumboot thing a go, it might not scare the ABs, but it could distract them with humour... Kind of like when the monsters on Monsters Inc work out laughter is more powerful than screams... (If this actually happens and it is a Springbok/AB final at next years world cup and we lose... you never heard all this from me!!!).
After the opening dance numbers there were a heap of super-tight African Choir songs. The language they sing in is so conducive to harmonies and multi-part choir pieces... But again, it wasn't just the harmonies that grab you, the Rhythm and movement of the singers is like whole body singing... it is like a choir that Deaf people would appreciate I am sure!!!
You often don't get much for free these days, so I am stoked that the Edge has put on these shows for families! I will leave you with the true test of the day - the Emily Toe-Tapperometer. I leave you this visual indication of my 2yo's response to the show! :)
This is an arts and entertainment blog facilitated by THE EDGE, the home of the Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand.