Nzi Dada?s outdoor performance, Ritual Imaginaire, is a collision between Bantu culture and contemporary performance funk, jazz and electronics that oscillates between fierce performance and mystical ceremonial style. Ritual Imaginaire combines live music and powerful physical performance with atmospheric lighting, sampled sound, sculpture and a specially designed set.
Nzi Dada is a collaboration between Manchester-based bass player Jim Parris and Paris-based Cameroonian performance artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Xumo Nounjio.
Performances are highly percussive, with Xumo and percussionist Christophe V playing a variety of instruments including an African log drum, triggered samples, metallic instruments, and bead shakers.
Last year Ritual Imaginaire was awarded funding Arts Council England to tour festivals in the UK. The performance is currently being reworked for 2005 with director Benji Reid and will feature as part of the Decibel/Xtrax showcase of culturally diverse performing arts in Manchester.
Ritual Imaginaire builds on the success of Nzi Dada?s existing venue-based work in the UK and Europe where they have performed at venues and festivals including Decibel, Royal National Theatre, The Africa Centre, El Mercat de las Flors Barcelona and Le Regard Du Cygne, Paris.
The show is designed to be presented in darkness and is suitable for audiences of around 1000 people. Running time is approx 40 mins and there is no text.
Ritual Imaginaire was commissioned by South Hill Park with De la Warr Pavilion with support from Arts Council England and PRS Foundation.