They have been called amazing, dazzling, mind blowing and a
whole of other names, they have performed with local greats and international
stars from Macheso , Mtukudzi , Zahara and Akon to name but a few, no amount of
writing or praise can fit Zimbabwean multi-award winning dance group,
Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa). Formed in 2001 as Mpopoma
high School drama club, Iyasa has grown from strength to strength breaking into
the hard but lucrative European circuit.
Iyasa play at the annual Intwasa Festival on the 20th at the famed
Chibuku stage which plays host to a lot of top Zimbabwean bands and groups.
They have held European tours yearly since 2002 and only just returned to
Zimbabwe past few weeks from a four month tour which took them to Austria,
Czech Republic and Canada, and already they have been to South Africa by
popular demand, in a press interview with an online publication last month
Nkululeko Innocent Dube the Founder and Director of Iyasa said the group's
flirtation with Europe for over the past decade has been fruitful and felt that
it was their mandate to uplift the country's arts standards.
"We have been doing shows in Austria and neighbouring countries. We are also aiming at uplifting our country's arts standards high, and we are doing our level best and a lot of people seem to be appreciating our work", he said.
He also mentioned that the group was aiming on gaining mileage across the globe and to be awarded with several international awards.
"I am impressed with the support we have been getting from the Europeans. I don't see us failing to land the best award in the arts industry worldwide with our authentic performances and collaborations, he said.
Iyasa during their tours have collaborated with Insingizi the imbube stars, who are based in Austria and some Austrian musicians.
Dube said the European tour had become an annual agenda and it coincided with summer programmes in Europe.
"We always hold an annual international tour that coincides with summer programmes in Europe. We collaborate with friends, contacts, promoters that we have acquired over the years. It is a very expensive endeavour, as we fund ourselves from the income we make from shows. However, there are benefits for the group and individuals involved. We can wish for better but we cannot complain. It has made our brand as Iyasa grow to international standards and also created a lot of opportunities for us and our artistes as individuals. An example is Future who out of these expeditions landed himself an opportunity to study in Austria," he said.
He also noted that Iyasa had become a trademark in the arts industry in Europe and was confident that they would grow to be a worldwide trademark.
"We have been well received by all nationalities here otherwise we would not be doing this for more than 10 years running," he added.
Iyasa is Zimbabwe's multi award-winning performing arts school for youth established in 2001 to support and promote the best interests of young musicians, dancers, actors and poets.
It has since expanded to be a resource centre for most established and upcoming artistes, especially musicians, singers and dancers.
Iyasa has a talented and committed team of skilled and highly trained artistes in music, dance, drama and poetry, film and other genres.
Through comprehensive workshops, projects, training, programmes and performances in and outside Zimbabwe, Iyasa plays an integral role in the development and promotion of the arts industry in Zimbabwe. The group has become a household name in Zimbabwe and perhaps the world.
"We have been doing shows in Austria and neighbouring countries. We are also aiming at uplifting our country's arts standards high, and we are doing our level best and a lot of people seem to be appreciating our work", he said.
He also mentioned that the group was aiming on gaining mileage across the globe and to be awarded with several international awards.
"I am impressed with the support we have been getting from the Europeans. I don't see us failing to land the best award in the arts industry worldwide with our authentic performances and collaborations, he said.
Iyasa during their tours have collaborated with Insingizi the imbube stars, who are based in Austria and some Austrian musicians.
Dube said the European tour had become an annual agenda and it coincided with summer programmes in Europe.
"We always hold an annual international tour that coincides with summer programmes in Europe. We collaborate with friends, contacts, promoters that we have acquired over the years. It is a very expensive endeavour, as we fund ourselves from the income we make from shows. However, there are benefits for the group and individuals involved. We can wish for better but we cannot complain. It has made our brand as Iyasa grow to international standards and also created a lot of opportunities for us and our artistes as individuals. An example is Future who out of these expeditions landed himself an opportunity to study in Austria," he said.
He also noted that Iyasa had become a trademark in the arts industry in Europe and was confident that they would grow to be a worldwide trademark.
"We have been well received by all nationalities here otherwise we would not be doing this for more than 10 years running," he added.
Iyasa is Zimbabwe's multi award-winning performing arts school for youth established in 2001 to support and promote the best interests of young musicians, dancers, actors and poets.
It has since expanded to be a resource centre for most established and upcoming artistes, especially musicians, singers and dancers.
Iyasa has a talented and committed team of skilled and highly trained artistes in music, dance, drama and poetry, film and other genres.
Through comprehensive workshops, projects, training, programmes and performances in and outside Zimbabwe, Iyasa plays an integral role in the development and promotion of the arts industry in Zimbabwe. The group has become a household name in Zimbabwe and perhaps the world.
End/
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