The development of the concept of the Festival Spectacle is still in its early stages. Obviously, I shall be adding ideas and incubating the various creative elements over the next few months.

Since Sylvia asked me to celebrate both the cultures of Uganda and USA and look for fusion where possible, the input from American members of our group is obviously very valuable to me, since I am neither from Uganda or the USA.

I have had the fortune of spending many months in the United States, at festivals, conferences and back country hiking in USA National Parks, so I it is not that I am clueless about American Culture

However, I recognize the fact that what I (as a tourist) see as iconic and stereotypical, might not be the way Americans would like their country to be portrait…

More difficult will it be to fully prepare myself for the Ugandan element of my artistic concept. Thanks to Sylvia, I have a library of videos of previous trips to the school, so I have some insights in their local dances. On the other hand, where would we be without the internet? I have already collected a number of content rich websites with information about the people and culture  and heritage of Uganda.

Below you find a number of  elements that I consider using in the show. Again I would like to pick your brain about your thoughts in reaction to what I have created so far and your additional suggestions for show elements.

Opening – Soap Bubbles

Soap Bubbles are 3 dimensional spheres hanging in space, like our planet: Mother Earth.  As we – members of our group and the children – are realising our bubbles in the sky, we symbolize the meeting and mixing of our individual worlds. As capsules of our breaths dance in the sky, we are united in a magical opening of our Festival Spectacle.

Music: Harp music and/or choir music? Sound track not yet decided.

Rivers – Salmon – Canoes

Besides the fact that water is of course the element symbolizing  life, rivers played an important role in both the colonization of Uganda and the USA. Fish swimming in the river (salmon?) symbolize migration. Rafts and canoes were means of transport in both countries, used by natives and foreign explorers.

Music: For the river and salmon part, I plan to use film music from Chocolate, which I have used before. For the Canoe part, I hope to use a local tribal song with percussion, possibly with a prelude of Native American drums and chant.

Dance of the Bald Eagle

The idea is to use a sound track of the call of the Crested Crane Bird (national bird of Uganda). All kids (independent if they are participating in the dance of the Bald Eagle will mimic the Crested Crane, ‘calling’ for the American Bald Eagle. Their call is answered by the arrival of a flock of Bald Eagles, a dance performed by one group.

Music: Native American (new age)

Hollywood & Disney (under review)

One of the largest cultural export products of the USA has to be the film industry and the icons of Disney. The questin that I need to answer with input from veteran members of Sylvia’s Children, is if it is desirable to even showcase these American symbols.

I have no idea if the children have any reference at all to cinema or Disney characters. Another thought was if it would be possible to include the viewing of films in the school’s auditorium is an option. If yes, we should consider organizing such an event whilst we are there and carefully select what film(s) to present.

If it comes to Hollywood my personal icon is Charly Chaplin and his slap-stick as he played such an important part of cinematic history and is fun to translate into a dance with the kids. Not sure what I would do with Disney, other than selecting a classic sound track.

Jazz – Afro American Music

Without wishing to go into the black pages of history of either country and how it came about that African culture plays such a significant role in Americas heritage – I leave that decision to the school’s teachers – I intend to make a contemporary dance using African tribal dance movements on American Jazz music.

American Street Parade – Marching Band

The American Street Parades as part of festivals and public events, are certainly another cultural icon that I wish to portray in the production. It also seems apropriate since the actual Festival Spectacle shall be performed on a circular road on the school grounds, forcing me to create the show in a parade-style-format.

Music: Marching Band classic, suggestions welcome!

Finale – Line Dance

Good old Country & Western mixed with the odd Ugandan style swing of the hips. Lets dance all together and celebrate!

Music: Please read my article in the Music section of this project website and give your suggestions!