Garage Dance Ensemble

On the occasion of the exhibition of South African artist @igshaan.adams ’s work in the @museoguggenheim , @worksandprocess in collaboration with the Museum, organized two performances with South African based group @garagedanceensemble , and a discussion with Adams. On May 4-5 in Bilbao, Spain, Garage Dance Ensemble shared their overpowering energy with audiences. The dancers have worked with Igshaan Adams in the creation of some of the works currently on display in the Museum. In his practice, moving bodies on ink applied linoleum floors covered with canvas leave traces of personal and collective memories. Adams collects them to highlight the connections between people and between individuals and the community. Choreographed and Directed by: Byron Klassen Technical director: Faroll Coetzee Performers: Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Keeanu Samuels, Druwayne Strauss Activities organized with the collaboration of @worksandprocess , with the support of @a4artsfoundation and @hillartfoundation . - Photos by Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa, 2026. Photo: Erika Barahona Ede

Garage Dance Ensemble brought movement to the Guggenheim Bilbao today Thank you to the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum for the platform and inspiration. #GarageDanceEnsemble #GuggenheimBilbao #IgshaanAdams #DanceInMuseums #ContemporaryDance

Have to show off Faroll Coetzee's work. Your last chance to see Byron Klassen's WONDE at Suidoosterfees tomorrow 11.30 in the Johan Brink at Arts Cape.

Art in motion meets art in form. On 4 May, our dancers take the stage at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao — where architecture, culture, and movement collide. A story from home, told on an international canvas. ✨ #ArtInMotion #GuggenheimBilbao #DanceStory #CulturalExchange

This past week, Garage Dance Ensemble had the privilege of welcoming Lungile Mahlangu, Thato Qofela, Abel Vilakazi and Palesa Sella from Mpantsula My World for a powerful week of skills transmission in honour of the late Buru Mohlabane. Buru’s work with Via Katlehong Dance and Pantsula My World stood as a remarkable example of artistic excellence rooted in education, history and community engagement. His lifelong dedication to Pantsula, his deep respect for its cultural legacy, and his unwavering belief in its future helped shape many meaningful programmes supported by IFAS over the years — from performances and tours to workshops that opened doors for young dancers. During their time with us, Lungile, Thato, Abel and Palesa generously shared their knowledge, discipline, rhythm and spirit with our dancers, continuing the legacy of transmission that Buru believed in so strongly. We were also honoured to have in attendance Roderick Carol, Jabian Jannetjies, Jade Phillips, and the crew from Namakwa Dance & Drama Studio, an initiative of the Boitshepo Development Foundation. Their presence strengthened the spirit of exchange, learning and community that shaped the week. We are deeply grateful for this meaningful encounter and for the opportunity to honour Buru’s memory through movement, transmission and collective growth. Pantsula lives. The work continues.

💃 Dansklasse vir tieners 🕺 Vir ouderdomme 13 en ouer 🗓 Saterdae 🕦 11:30 vm – 1:00 nm 📍 Hibiskusstraat 50, O’okiep Vir meer inligting, WhatsApp Jaime by 071 839 5762. Bring jou GEIT !!!!!

Two Garage/Klassen award-winning productions on at Suidoosterfees. You snooze you lose.

Gisteraand het die span van Garage Dance Ensemble in 4 Kamp by die Taskmaster-woning ’n spesiale vertoning van GAT aangebied, op die vooraand van hul vertrek na die KKNK-fees. Dit was ’n aand gevul met toewyding, moed en die besondere gees van die ensemble. Familie, vriende en die gemeenskap was getuie van ’n aangrypende opvoering terwyl die geselskap hulself voorberei het om hierdie kragtige werk na ’n groter gehoor te neem. ’n Besonder roerende oomblik was die debuutoptrede van Ilse “Hadda” Samuels, wat ingestaan het in die plek van die oorlede Esmé Marthinus. Met grasie en dapperheid het Ilse Esmé se plek in die produksie geëer, terwyl sy ook haar eie teenwoordigheid en krag na die verhoog gebring het. Toe die span vanoggend vertrek, onderweg na KKNK, doen hulle dit met meer as net ’n produksie — hulle dra ook die herinnering, liefde en nalatenskap van een van hul eie saam. Ons wens die Garage-span ’n veilige reis en ’n kragtige feeservaring toe. GAT na KKNK. Van 4 Kamp na die feesverhoog. KKNK 29 en 30 Maart. KOOP JOU KAARTJIES HIER> https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1582295326 📸: Jadondale Photography

Two and a half weeks of tragedy and triumph. Under the steadfast guidance of Artistic Director Byron Klassen, the creatives and support staff of Garage Dance Ensemble carried on with courage and commitment in the face of loss. Over the past 2½ weeks, the team reached 3,496 learners across 10 schools in the region, continuing to serve community through performance, resilience, and purpose. Though the journey was not without its disappointments, the tour was ultimately a powerful triumph, with learners responding with enthusiasm, curiosity, and heartfelt engagement. This has been a moving reminder that even in times of grief, art continues to connect, uplift, and inspire. PICS OF CONCORDIA PRIMARYBY FAROLL COETZEE. FUNDED BY NLC AND PESP

WONDE OP TOER - SACRED HEART RK PRIMÊRE SKOOL

In a time of profound grief following the recent passing of Garage stalwart and creative force Esmé Marthinus, the Garage Dance Ensemble team, under the leadership of Artistic Director Byron Klassen, continues to honour her legacy through service to our community. With courage and commitment, the staff carry forward a project Esmé initiated — work she believed in deeply and would have expected us to see through to completion. Through this offering, we remain dedicated to sharing performance with a strong social message. 4 performances across 5 schools: Ferdinand Brecher Laerskool Steinkopf Hoërskool Matjieskloof RK Intermediêre Skool St. Anna Sekondêre Privateskool Dr. Isak van Niekerk Primêre Skool This project is funded by the National Lotteries Commission and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. Documentation by Faroll Coetzee / OFJ Media. We dedicate this journey to the memory of Esmé Marthinus — her vision, her strength, and her unwavering belief in the power of art to serve and uplift community.

Esmé Marthinus (1976 2026) RIP Esmé was born in 1976 in O’okiep, Namaqualand in the Northern Cape. Her dance career began under the guidance of Dawn Langdown at Namjive, a community-based dance program where she worked from 1997 to 2010. During this time, she developed valuable teaching and performance skills and appeared in all of Namjive’s major productions, including the award-winning Mense van Mense. In 2013, Esmé joined the Garage Dance Ensemble as a costume assistant and community dance teacher. Her career took a significant turn in 2017 when she played the lead role in Mooigenoeg om Engels te Praat, a text-driven dance production by Garage based on the work of Ronelda Kamfer. Her outstanding performance in this production established her as a talented actress with a unique stage presence.In 2024 and 2025, she undertook four European tours as part of Robyn Orlin’s How in Salt’s Desert is it possible to blossom. Esmé’s journey from community dance to the international stage is a testament to her exceptional versatility, perseverance, and dedication to her craft. She is an indispensable member of the Garage Dance Ensemble and an inspiring example for artists in remote communities.