Simbaarts
Programs
Simba Arts offers a diverse range of programs designed to promote cultural expression, creativity, and community engagement. Our initiatives span various art forms, including contemporary dance, traditional dances, ethno-music, arts and crafts, and fitness classes, all aimed at enriching the cultural landscape of our community.
1. Dance Programs:
Our dance programs include contemporary and traditional dance workshops that cater to a wide audience. These programs not only preserve and celebrate Zimbabwean and African dance traditions but also provide a platform for innovation and contemporary expression. Dancers of all ages and backgrounds can engage in classes that foster both personal and artistic growth.
2. Music and Ethno-Music Workshops:
Through our ethno-music workshops, participants explore the rich musical traditions of Africa and beyond. These workshops introduce various musical instruments, rhythms, and vocal styles, offering a hands-on experience that connects people to their cultural roots while encouraging creative experimentation.
3. Arts and Crafts:
Our arts and crafts program celebrates the craftsmanship and artistic heritage of Zimbabwe and other cultures. Participants learn various techniques in visual arts, from traditional crafts to modern artistic expressions, providing a space for creativity and cultural appreciation.
4. Fitness and Wellness Classes:
Recognizing the importance of physical well-being, Simba Arts offers fitness classes that blend traditional dance movements with contemporary exercise techniques. These classes are designed to promote health, fitness, and mental well-being within the community, making physical activity accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
5. Community Festivals and Events:
Simba Arts is also the driving force behind several community festivals and events, such as the Bergen Afro Arts Festival, Me!fest Kalcha Xpo and Unlimited Xpressionz (UnX Residency). These events serve as vibrant celebrations of culture, bringing together artists, performers, and audiences in a shared experience of music, dance, art, and community. They provide a platform for minority voices and create spaces for cultural exchange and understanding.
6. Educational Outreach:
We are committed to educational outreach through workshops, guest lectures, and mentorship programs. These initiatives are designed to empower young artists, particularly those from minority backgrounds, offering them the skills, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in the cultural sector.
Through these programs, Simba Arts aims to foster a sense of community, promote cultural diversity, and empower individuals through the arts. Whether through dance, music, crafts, or fitness, our programs are designed to inspire, educate, and connect people across cultures.
The Dance & Music that moves
Bergen Afro Arts Festival
Safeguarding and promoting culture is both a fundamental goal and a direct contributor to numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including safe and sustainable cities, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and the fostering of peaceful and inclusive societies.
Mission: BAAF transcends the typical festival experience. It is an ethno-arts initiative designed to leverage the transformative power of dance and music to promote positive social change. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, the festival fosters community cohesion and celebrates cultural diversity.
Vision: Our goal for BAAF is to become a highly anticipated annual event, celebrated for its commitment to ubuntu culture and artistic expression. We aim to provide a unique space for connection, discovery, and celebration, where community, nature, and harmony flourish.Quote from Simba: "Bergen Afro Arts Festival-BAAF is more than just a commercial festival. It’s a vibrant celebration of ubuntu culture, showcasing the richness of traditions from the Diaspora and Africa itself." - Simba, Creative Director/Curator
Me!fest kalcha xpo
Mbare Festival returns in 2024. It carries the evocative memories of COVID-19 and associated lost opportunities it caused. The festival aims to re-sharpen the youths from the Mbare community, a hybrid centre of talent, the bold and expressive creatives. ME!FEST is dedicated towards attempting to redefine new narratives in the arts and culture sector, utilizing spaces of proximity such as Mai Musodzi Hall. The platform will create a level playing ground which enhances the exchange of skill and facilitate healthy and drug free conversations to proceed. Children and young people will be recognised, valued and understood in an environment which promote diversity and power dialogue.
Unlimited Xpreshens (unX Residency)
The Unlimited Xpreshens Residency (UnX) symbolizes our ambition to transcend boundaries and reach the pinnacle of artistic expression. The abbreviation "UnX" reflects our commitment to rejecting societal limitations and embracing a life of boundless creativity and freedom.
Mission Statement:
The Unlimited Xpreshens Residency (UnX) is a pioneering cultural exchange program that fosters collaboration between international and local artists, with a focus on dance, music, and technology. Our mission is to empower young people in high-density suburbs, rural, and remote areas of Zimbabwe and Western Norway by leveraging the arts as a catalyst for transformative social change and sustainable development. By integrating education with entertainment, the residency aims to spark creativity and innovation, bridging diverse artistic practices with local cultural expressions.
This six-month residency spans across Bergen, Harare, Victoria Falls, Murehwa, and Mbare Township. It serves as both a prelude and build-up to the Simba Arts Festivals: ME!FEST in Zimbabwe and the Bergen Afro Arts Festival in Norway. The material gathered during these residencies will be showcased during the festival days, reflecting the rich cultural exchanges and artistic innovations cultivated throughout the program.
Curator's Vision:
"We believe that art is essential for developing sustainable communities. We invite you to join us on a journey to reshape and uplift communities through the arts, transforming the lives of youth in Mbare and other underserved areas with limited access to contemporary art.”
— Tendai Zuze & Simbarashe Fulukia | Curators, Unlimited Xpreshens Residency (UnX)
Female TV
The "Female TV" podcast series aims to provide a safe platform for women, particularly at-risk young people and female artists in rural and high-density suburbs of Zimbabwe, to share their experiences, challenges, achievements, and to advocate for their human and artistic rights. The series will focus on issues related to the performing arts and community, addressing critical topics such as gender-based violence, health, legal matters, early marriages, child abuse, drug and substance abuse, depression, suicidal attempts, rape, lack of employment, and exploitation.
Tendaiishe Studio
Is a Zimbabwean entertainment studio, founded in 2020 by Apostle Tendai Zuze Fulukia, operates as a talent agency, creative production studio, event and concert management company, and music publishing house. Additionally, the studio manages various subsidiary ventures under a publicly traded label, Tenrocs, which includes media production, a clothing line, sports management, a tourism agency, and a cosmetics brand.
Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya
Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya is a dynamic dance company that emerged from a fruitful cultural exchange residency conducted between 2018 and 2020. This initiative took place in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Bergen, Norway, with the primary goal of revitalizing Zimbabwe's contemporary dance scene, which had been facing significant challenges. The exchange allowed for a deep exploration of cultural practices, collaboration, and the development of innovative solutions to strengthen the dance arts industry in Zimbabwe.
The project garnered support from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Tourism, facilitated by Simba Arts and the Bergen Afro Arts Festival. Over the course of three months, the residency culminated in the creation and presentation of the #GreatZimbabwe production, showcasing the results of this rich intercultural collaboration.
In November 2019, the dance company was officially named Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya, after the iconic Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi Oa Tunya, meaning "The Smoke that Thunders." The company is headquartered in Mbare Township, a vibrant and historic area of Harare.
The dancers of Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya are primarily recruited from traditional dance companies across Zimbabwe, ensuring that the troupe is deeply rooted in the country's rich cultural heritage while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance.
Vestland Danseteater (VDT)
Vestland Danseteater is a relatively new company in Bergen, but it has quickly established itself as a significant and visible player in the cultural scene. The company's vision is to become a central hub for professional performers with minority backgrounds in the performing arts sector.
During the challenging period of 2020-2021, amidst a global pandemic, VDT produced and performed two full-length dance productions. In addition, the company organized a series of workshops, guest lectures, and other local activities for the immigrant community in Bergen through Simba Arts, now known as Vestland Danseteater.
Today, VDT operates independently and aims to position itself as a dynamic and alternative force in Bergen and the Vestland region. The goal is to appeal to a broader audience than other companies and to offer project-based positions for local dancers. These opportunities include participation in larger dance productions and performances, as well as roles as workshop leaders, method instructors, mentors, and mentees in various productions, with a strong emphasis on residencies and international collaborations.
VDT's mission is to empower young, professional performers with minority backgrounds in the performing arts and cultural fields in Bergen and Vestland, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, 5, 11, 16, and 17.
zidANCE sPACE
ZiDanceSpace, an acronym for Zimbabwe Dance Space, embodies our vision to create a vibrant and expansive national dance economy by 2030. Derived from street lingo meaning "A big dancing place," our initiative aims to harness and develop Zimbabwe’s dance sector to its fullest potential, fostering economic growth, social change, and cultural enrichment.
