Step Afrika!: art without borders

15:11' 12/06/2007 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Having recently arrived in HCM City for their stepping dance performance at the HCM City Opera House tonight, June 12, American troupe Step Africa! talked with Tuoi Tre newspaper. How can stepping, a form of art originating in Africa, become an important part of American cultural and artistic heritage? Very simple. It is because stepping is as open as America itself. American culture is the mixing and melting of diverse cultures in the world, and stepping also generously welcomes many different types of dance such as tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern dance, gumboot dance (miners’ heel dance), as well as traditional dances of African tribes. It seems that similar to rap, stepping is also inspired by the yearning for freedom and self liberation as well as a little rebellion of African Americans of the previous centuries? Yes. Stepping moves are sometimes merely foot tapping, hand clapping and other chaotic sounds. Yet, through them, we openly show our own personalities, selves and thoughts about things in life which we can’t express in words. They are not only body moves performed on stage but also music and messages encouraging to the young. In Vietnam, many don’t know what stepping is. How will you help Vietnamese audiences understand these messages that are still new to them? We think art is without borders. It can rub out all barriers of culture and languages. Each member in our group has the ability to stir the stage and captivate audience members with a combination of many vibrant moves and rhythms. Conversing with audiences all over the world and making them empathize with us are what we must do in our tours. And through these tours, we’ve realized that after all, we are all the same and able to share our feelings with each other in art that is inherently without any border or barrier. When you leave Vietnam, what do you want us to remember about Step Afrika!? Oh, of course, we want you to remember stepping! In many places where we’ve traveled, people were interested and even established stepping groups after we left. If the same thing happens in Vietnam, it will be wonderful and we will return and perform with you. As for our impression of Vietnam? Perhaps tomorrow, we’ll all go to eat pho! (Source: VNN)