UGEMDI UDE Major

In the organizer's words:

EN

A tender and furious homage to black femininity with the groove of a dance form from the southern states of the USA, which also inspired Beyoncé.

With MAJOR, US choreographer Ogemdi Ude explores the dance of her childhood: Majorette is closely associated with the traditionally Black colleges in the southern states of the USA and is danced with large marching bands at football games. The dance style developed by Black women and femmes combines the precision of a kickline with the tongue-in-cheek sensuality of burlesque and is characterized by synchronized, explosive movement sequences in large formations. It inspired Beyoncé's 2018 Coachella performance "Homecoming" and now serves Ude as the basis for her summer festival world premiere MAJOR. In it, six performers reappropriate the dance form of their youth, which has received little attention in contemporary dance to date. With powerful movements, flowing hip swings and precise counts, they show how contemporary dance can be renewed through majorette - similar to vogueing and other subcultural practices. To a soundtrack composed by the New York DJ Lambkin, which refers to the cultural heritage of African-American music from the southern states, a polyphonic, tenderly angry homage to black femininity is created.

EN

Tender and fierce homage to Black femininity to the groove of a dance form rooted in the US South, which also inspired Beyoncé.

With MAJOR, US choreographer Ogemdi Ude explores the dance of her childhood: Majorette is closely associated with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the US South and is performed at football games alongside large marching bands. The dance style, developed by Black women and femmes combines the precision of a kickline with the tongue-in-cheek sensuality of burlesque, and is characterized by synchronized, explosive movement sequences in large formations. It inspired Beyoncé's 2018 Coachella performance "Homecoming" and now serves Ude as the basis for her Summer Festival world premiere MAJOR. Six performers explore the movements of their youth in order to reclaim a form that has so far received little attention in contemporary dance. With powerful movements, flowing hip swings, and precise counts, they demonstrate how majorette - like vogueing and other subcultural practices - can integrate with contemporary dance to become, like MAJOR, a polyphonic, tenderly fierce homage to Black femininity.

Part of 50+ acts at the International Summer Festival 2025 at Kampnagel (6.-24.8.) - discover theater, music, art & dreams. #kampnagel25 #festivalvibes #roomtodream

Price information:

9 - 32 Euro (50 % discount with festival ticket)