Batalo East’s 'Moving Murals' set to showcase diverse beauty in Jinja

Scheduled to take place at The Hangout in Jinja City from Friday, November 1 - Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, the event will run from 7P.M. to 8:30P.M. Tickets are priced at Shs25,000 for early birds and Shs30,000 at the gate, while children’s tickets are available for Shs20,000. Entry is free for children aged three years and below.

‘Moving Murals’ is a unique, site-specific dance theatre production celebrating the rich diversity of humanity. Through a vibrant combination of painting, traditional, and urban dance styles, the piece explores the intricate beauty in our varied colours, races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations.

‘Moving Murals’ is a unique, site-specific dance theatre production celebrating the rich diversity of humanity. Pulse Live Uganda

Choreographed by Elvis Elasu (Levy) and performed by members of the Street Dance Force Crew, ‘Moving Murals’ delves into Elasu’s profound appreciation of human appearance, addressing themes such as colourism and beauty standards.

Rachael Nakato, Communications Officer at Batalo East, stated: “Levy envisions the world as an expansive art gallery, where an invisible, multidimensional artist has meticulously crafted each element of our existence. In his imaginative realm, every individual is a moving mural, a living work of art that transcends boundaries. Each person embodies a unique style, inspiration, and distinct expression of beauty."

The production invites us to question: What defines beauty? How do we perceive ourselves and others? Does skin tone influence societal hierarchies? It challenges the audience to reflect on definitions imposed by science, religion, and history, encouraging them to embrace and appreciate the beauty within themselves and others.”

The dance theatre features a diverse cast of five dancers, each bringing their own ethnic backgrounds, skin tones, and body types to the stage. The performance, lasting 45 minutes, aims to inspire admiration and respect for humanity’s diversity.

The stellar cast of ‘Moving Murals’ includes:

Elvis Elasu (Levy) – Choreographer and Dancer
Bwambale Shafik – Dancer and Costume Designer
Walusansa Derickson, Kasoga Winnifred, and Matovu Bashir – Dancers

Physical tickets can be purchased at The Hangout and Smart FM in Jinja City. Online tickets are available.

The dance theatre features a diverse cast of five dancers, each bringing their own ethnic backgrounds, skin tones, and body types to the stage. Pulse Live Uganda

Who is Elvis Elasu?

Elvis Elasu, also known as Levy, is a renowned choreographer, dancer, visual artist, and beatboxer from Jinja, Uganda. He is the founder of Street Dance Force, a multi-award-winning hip-hop crew, and Weggule Foundation, a non-profit that offers free arts sessions to communities in Eastern Uganda.

Levy’s work focuses on marginalised groups, exploring themes such as identity and belonging. His notable productions include Journey of a Street Child (2017), Ssukaali (2019), and Walk in the Light (2023), which have been performed in countries like Mali, Germany, Italy, and Austria. A graduate of Kyambogo University, Levy combines music, live beatboxing, and site-specific choreography to empower vulnerable communities.

A Look at Batalo East

Batalo East is celebrated for its unique fusion of traditional and urban arts, with a vision to nurture "Generations of innovative Africans and artists who are aware and proud of their identity."

The organisation consistently produces full-length, socially relevant dance theatre pieces that challenge societal intellect. With a team of highly skilled artists from the Eastern African region, including members from Tabu Flo Dance Co, Batalo East has pushed breakdancing into both Ugandan and international mainstreams, as reported by CNN International.

Batalo East prides itself on producing top-tier shows, including:

Omusinde (2017) by Faizal Ddamba Mostrixx
Tonsindika (2018) by Vizurii Dance Crew
The Gathering (2019) by Clay Dance Company
Identity (2021) by Abdul Kinyenya and Jonzi D in collaboration with Breakin’ Convention UK
Nambi: The African Shield Maidens (2023) by Nabaggala Lilian Maximillian
The Legend of the Spear and the Bead (April 2024) in collaboration with Watero Dance Initiative – Gulu

“Batalo East Productions is dedicated to creating dance theatre that benefits societies and contributes to the development of our communities,” Nakato concluded.

For more information about Batalo East Dance Productions, visit their website, follow them on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok (@BataloEast), and Instagram (@BataloEast). Other programmes include: The Equation (monthly dance workshops), Kuhamahama Arts Movement, and the Batalo East Dance Festival.