For lovers of music, dance and powerful stories

Local performance company, Looping the Loop will host a new national touring show, Bunker of Zion, on 1st and 2nd July 2022 in the Salvation Army Hall in Margate.

Bunker of Zion has been created and devised by Zimbabwe-born actor and musician, John Pfumojena with support from a local Associate Artist, Jodie Cole (of Westgate-on-Sea) who is currently developing a unique Thanet response to the show which will be performed live on stage incorporating local residents and members of Broadstairs inclusive performance group, Inspiration Creative CIC and a number of local residents who have come together to share personal stories and experiences.

The show and has been masterfully created using traditional Zimbabwe Mbira and Marimba instruments. Expect joyful, bouncing rhythms and powerful songs, plus traditional and modern Zimbabwean dance with break dance and gumboot dance (a traditional South African dance performed in wellington boots, also referred to as gumboots).

At the heart of the show there’s a strong Zimbabwean arts and culture influence, and audiences are invited into this world through the eyes and imagination of the artists. The production is scored by Zimbabwean Marimba and Mbira music, and various languages including Shona, Ndebele and Yoruba.

Bunker of Zion is an hour-long show, set in a dystopia where music is banned by those in charge. As a result, a small community creates a safe space in an underground bunker to continue enjoying the beautiful feeling that music gives them and a way to express how they feel. The show is created by John Pfumojena and his company of performers.

Jodie Cole said: “I’ve had such a brilliant time thinking about ancestry with John Pfumojena and his ensemble of internationally-touring artists. I’m inspired by John’s unique Zimbabwean artistic expression and can’t wait to start workshops later this month so that we can come together and celebrate Thanet communities through beautiful dancing, song, and stories.”

Find out more about the show via Looping the Loop’s website https://www.loopingtheloopfestival.org.uk/bunkerofzion.html