Shangaan Electro – the rapid-fire, deliciously synthetic South African dance style that rattles along at a delirious 180-odd bpm – is set to bring a roadshow of sorts to the UK this July via Qu Junktions.
It will find the style’s main artists, as gathered together on Honest Jon’s’ excellent Shangaan Electro compilation from 2010, playing live shows at dates in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool and Sheffield. The group will feature producer/vocalist – and creator of Shangaan Electro – Nozinja, the Tshetsha Boys and vocalists Tiyiselani and Nkata Mawewe.
In addition, in an entirely brilliant move, the group will also be hosting a series of dance workshops in cities along the tour, "in which dancers of all ages and abilitities can learn the secrets of this unique and infectious style. Set up on the floor like a Shangaan dance party, these will be affordably priced, limited capacity participatory events so early booking is recommended." For a bit of a taste of what to expect, check out a video of Shangaan street dance below.
The full list of dates runs as below. And if you’re yet to familiarise yourself with the style, both Honest Jon’s’ original compilation and the Shangaan Shake remixes album from last year offer fantastic introductions to the style in its original form as well as perspectives from global electronic artists.
JULY
10th – Bristol, Trinity Centre (workshop only)
12th – London, TBA (workshop)
13th – London, Dance Nations Dalston @ Gillett Square (performance)
14th – London, Shoreditch Festival @ Hoxton Street Market (performance)
17th – Glasgow, SWG3 (performance & workshop) w/ Auntie Flo & Esa
19th – Manchester, Islington Mill (performance & workshop)
20th – Liverpool, The Kazimier (performance & workshop) w/ Auntie Flo, Yola Fatoush, Bantam Lions
21st – Sheffield, Tramlines (performance & workshop)
