Jolie Ngemi

Venue: HAU2

Part of “Love is a Verb #2”

Five dancers bring the energy of Congolese Sebene dances to the stage and transform them into a powerful political dance manifesto — for liberation, against injustice and for the joy of life.

In Lingala, the mother tongue of Jolie Ngemi, “MBOK'ELENGI” stands for fun and joie de vivre. Picked up by Congolese youth, it has become a popular (survival) slogan on the streets of Kinshasa. For her impressive group work with the eponymous title “MBOK'ELENGI”, the choreographer and dancer translates this view of life into contemporary dance. On stage, five dancers reinterpret popular Congolese dances from the Sebene musical style, a style of Congolese pop music characterized by guitars. Their movements are inspired by the fight against injustices in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the deep desire for liberation. They powerfully question hegemonic codes that deepen inequalities and make the poorest even more impoverished in favor of the richest. An equally political, resistant and hopeful piece unfolds before the eyes of the audience. A danced manifesto against injustice — and for the joy of life.

In 2024, Jolie Ngemi was already a guest at HAU with “NKISI”.

Choreography: Jolie Ngemi/Dramaturgy: Hannah Pfurtscheller/Assistant: Liliane Ngemi/Performers: Gülord Vulu, Prudence Tcheuméo Tchato, Donnel Bangusa Emwila, Isaac Mutashi Tshipema, Jolie Ngemi/Technical direction and lighting direction: Edouard Hugli, Alain Caron/Stage Management: Zineb Rostom/Stage: Gaëlle Chérix/Music: Rokia Bamba and Yekima De Bel Art/Costume: Jolie Ngemi/Tour Production/Distribution: Jérôme Pique, Zoé Siemen/Administration: Véronique Maréchal

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Strobe lights and fog are used in this performance. There are passages with loud music, and hearing protection is available free of charge at the cloakrooms. There is a barbecue scene where sausages are grilled. Explicit sexual acts are also presented.

There are two marked parking spaces in front of the house. Barrier-free sanitary facilities available. There are four relaxed seats available in the front row of HAU2.