Looping the Loop brings new national touring show, Bunker of Zion, to Thanet this July

If you like music, dance and powerful stories – you’ll love this!

Local performance company, Looping the Loop is delighted to be hosting a new national touring show, Bunker of Zion, on 1st and 2nd July 2022 in the Salvation Army Hall in Margate.

 

Bunker of Zion has been created and devised by Zimbabwe-born actor and musician, John Pfumojena with support from a local Associate Artist, Jodie Cole (of Westgate-on-Sea) who is currently developing a unique Thanet response to the show which will be performed live on stage incorporating local residents and members of Broadstairs inclusive performance group, Inspiration Creative CIC and a number of local residents who have come together to share personal stories and experiences.

The show and has been masterfully created using traditional Zimbabwe Mbira and Marimba instruments.  Expect joyful, bouncing rhythms and powerful songs, plus traditional and modern Zimbabwean dance with break dance and gumboot dance (a traditional South African dance performed in wellington boots, also referred to as gumboots).

 

At the heart of the show there’s a strong Zimbabwean arts and culture influence, and audiences are invited into this world through the eyes and imagination of the artists. The production is scored by Zimbabwean Marimba and Mbira music, and various languages including Shona, Ndebele and Yoruba.

 

Bunker of Zion is an hour-long show, set in a dystopia where music is banned by those in charge. As a result, a small community creates a safe space in an underground bunker to continue enjoying the beautiful feeling that music gives them and a way to express how they feel. The show is created by John Pfumojena and his company of performers.

 

John Pfumojena said: “This collaboration really does what it says on the tin. Co-creating a show with the partners in the network, aided by an associate artist in each location, devised with community members. The Zimbabwe Mbira and Marimba instruments are the bedrock for this creative work, and we are asking every single person to come as they are and interact with their authentic selves. Zimbabwean Bantu Shona culture meets with myriad genres in dance, music, movement, spoken word and storytelling. Culture shaking hands. I’m truly excited to be leading this work in an opportunity provided by the Collaborative Touring Network. Surely this is how collaboration should work across the country and the world.”

Jodie Cole said: “I’ve had such a brilliant time thinking about ancestry with John Pfumojena and his ensemble of internationally-touring artists. I’m inspired by John’s unique Zimbabwean artistic expression and can’t wait to start workshops later this month so that we can come together and celebrate Thanet communities through beautiful dancing, song, and stories.”

And audiences have said:

 

“I will take away memories from this show for the rest of my life”

 

“I was blown away by how talented the artists were, and I thoroughly enjoyed the show”

 

“Getting up and enjoying musical chairs on stage was my favourite part!”

 

“I learned that we should always embrace the opportunities to celebrate through the arts”

 

“I learned so much about Zimbabwean culture, it was an amazing show!”

 

“I was so happy that people came to see and celebrate the real diversity that exists in our home town”

 

Find out more about the show via Looping the Loop’s website

https://www.loopingtheloopfestival.org.uk/bunkerofzion.html

 

Ticket Link: https://buytickets.at/loopingtheloop

Tickets:  Advance- £12.50, On the Door – £15

Ages: 10+

Running time: 1 hour

Venue details: Salvation Army Hall, Union Crescent, Margate, CT9 1NS

 

 

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