New York Live Arts will kick-off their 2013-2014 presenting season with the U.S. premiere of Boyzie Cekwana and Panaibra Canda’s The Inkomati (dis)cord September 25 and 26 at 7:30pm, followed by the NYC premiere of Bouchra Ouizguen’s Ha! September 27 and 28 at 7:30pm. Co-presented with the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)’s Crossing the Line 2013 festival, both productions feature new, diverse work from international artists that cultivates dialogue among the public and artists alike.

“We’re thrilled to kick-off our 2013-2014 season in partnership with FIAF's Crossing the Line 2013 and to be able to bring the powerful artistry of three trailblazing choreographers from the continent of Africa to our stage," said Carla Peterson, Artistic Director of New York Live Arts. "These deeply considered and beautifully wrought works by Cekwana, Canda and Ouizguen will offer New York audiences an opportunity to experience compelling and provocative works, smartly connected to these artists' cultural and political histories, which are an important manifestation of the global contemporary dance scene."

Making its U.S. premiere, The Inkomati (dis)cord is a collaborative work by South African artist Cekwana and Mozambique artist Canda. The work takes inspiration from both the failed, historic “Nkomati accord,” a 1984 non-aggression pact signed by the Mozambique of Samora Machel and the South African apartheid state, and the “Inkomati” river, which crosses South Africa and Swaziland, ultimately spilling out into the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. In an attempt to break through artificial borders and traverse territories, using their own bodies, skins, identities and histories, the choreographers explore the internalized colonial boundaries that still alienate shared histories and aspirations. Performed by Amelia Socovinho, Maria Tembe, and Artistic Directors Canda and Cekwana, The Inkomati (dis)cord challenges languages, borders and physicality, finding a new narrative form.

After the success of Moroccan artist Ouizguen’s Madame Plaza (presented at New York Live Arts in September 2012 as part of Voices of Strength and at FIAF in September 2011 as part of Crossing the Line 2010), Ouizguen returned to her homeland to delve into the relationship that individuals maintain between body, soul and obsessions, emerging with her new work, Ha!. Making its NYC premiere, Ha! was inspired by the cultural terrain and the people Ouizguen encountered during her voyage – in the desert, mountains, schools and bars – enriching the movement, song and language in this new work. Performed by Ouizguen and traditional Aïtas Fatéma El Hanna, Kabboura Aït Ben Hmad and Naïma Sahmoud, and featuring lighting by designer Jean Gabriel Valot, Ha! is an exploration of madness.

Performances will take place in New York Live Arts’ Theater. Come Early Conversations and Stay Late Discussions will also be featured with two shows. Tickets are $20 and $15. Tickets may be purchased online at tickets.newyorklivearts.org, by phone at 212-924-0077 and in person at the box office. Box office hours are Monday to Friday from 1 to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 8pm.